Input by duration mode
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To enter notes using Input by duration mode:
Type M to enter Input by duration mode
Type A, B, C, D, E, F, or G to select a pitch
Press a duration in the toolbar or type a duration shortcut (1–9) to enter a note
Enter pitches using the computer keyboard, mouse, MIDI keyboard, or virtual piano keyboard.
Type A, B, C, D, E, F, or G to select a pitch by name.
Use ↑ or ↓ to move the pitch cursor up or down by one staff line or space.
Use Ctrl + ↑ or Ctrl + ↓ to move the pitch cursor up or down by one octave.
After selecting pitch using one of the methods above, press a duration in the toolbar or use a shortcut (1–9) to enter a note. See the list of duration shortcuts below:
For the purpose of this section, chords are any combination of multiple notes all starting at the same time, all sharing the same duration, and all sharing a single stem.
Computer keyboard: Hold Shift while entering the note using A–G
The next note will be added above the last note added, so when building a chord it's easiest to start by entering the lowest note first.
Mouse: Click the location where you wish to add the note
MIDI keyboard: Either play all the notes at the same time, or play them one at a time but do not release one key before pressing the next, then select a duration
Virtual piano keyboard: Hold Shift while clicking a key in the piano panel
Notes entered in Input by duration mode that match the duration at the cursor position will form a chord with the existing note rather than overwriting them. There's no need to hold Shift.
So, use ← or → to move the entry cursor to any location where a note already exists, select a pitch, then enter the corresponding duration to create or add to a chord.
In Preferences → Note input, you can further customize Input by duration mode.
Default input mode: Choose whether Input by note name mode or Input by duration mode is entered when entering a note or double-clicking on a staff.
Input by duration mode cursor: Choose whether to show the above staff ruler or the classic note entry cursor when in Input by duration mode.
To add a note or rest to the score, start by selecting a location to begin entry. You can use the mouse or the .
Press M to enter Input by duration mode or select the button in the toolbar.
A preview of the next pitch to be entered is shown on the score in the color of the currently selected . On most instruments, this pitch cursor will fall on the middle staff line.
Hovering over a staff and clicking enters a note at the cursor position. See the main page for more details.
You can also add notes to chords by .
