Switching from SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) to SAT (Soprano, Alto, Tenor) in Finale notation requires a few steps. This guide will walk you through the process, covering different methods and addressing potential issues. Whether you're working on a choral arrangement or simply need to adjust your score, this tutorial provides clear instructions for efficient workflow.
Understanding the Challenge
The primary challenge lies in how Finale manages voice parts. Simply deleting the bass line isn't sufficient; you need to ensure proper staff and measure alignment is maintained throughout your score. This avoids disrupting the rest of your music and ensures a clean, professional result.
Method 1: Deleting the Bass Staff and Adjusting
This is the most straightforward method, suitable if you don't need to preserve the bass line for future use.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Select the Bass Staff: Click and drag your cursor to select the entire bass staff in your Finale score. Make sure to select all measures.
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Delete the Staff: Press the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Finale will remove the bass staff.
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Adjust Spacing (If Necessary): The remaining staves might be spaced too far apart. Use the Staff Spacing Tool (usually a vertical arrow icon in the toolbar) to adjust the spacing between the Soprano, Alto, and Tenor staves to a visually pleasing and balanced layout.
Method 2: Hiding the Bass Staff (for Temporary Use)
If you might need the bass line later, hiding it is a better approach than deleting it completely.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Select the Bass Staff: As before, select the entire bass staff.
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Hide the Staff: In the Staff menu, choose the Hide Staff option. This will remove the bass staff from view, without deleting the underlying data.
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Show Hidden Staves: To restore the bass staff, simply go to the Staff menu again and select Show Hidden Staves.
Method 3: Using the "Transpose" Function (For Advanced Users)
This method is more complex but offers fine-grained control, particularly useful if you intend to reuse the bass line in another arrangement.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Create a New Staff: Add a new, empty staff to your score. This will be used as a temporary placeholder.
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Transpose the Bass Line: Select the bass line notes and use Finale's Transpose function (found under the Edit menu) to shift the notes up to the desired register on the new staff. Adjust the octave and transposition interval as necessary to fit within the Soprano, Alto, or Tenor range.
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Copy and Paste: Copy the transposed notes to the appropriate staff (Soprano, Alto, or Tenor) as needed.
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Delete the Original and Transposed Staffs: Remove the original bass staff and the temporary transposed staff.
Troubleshooting Tips
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Measure Alignment: If measures become misaligned after deleting or hiding a staff, you might need to use the Measure Numbering Tool to re-align them.
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Staff Styles: Ensure your staff styles remain consistent after making changes. You can adjust staff style settings under the Style menu.
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System Tracks: If you have multiple systems, you'll need to repeat these steps for each system.
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Plugins and Extensions: Certain Finale plugins might affect staff management. If facing unexpected behavior, check for compatibility issues with your installed plugins.
This comprehensive guide provides multiple approaches to changing SATB to SAT in Finale. Choose the method best suited to your workflow and desired outcome. Remember to save your work frequently to prevent accidental data loss. With a bit of practice, you'll quickly master this essential score editing technique.
