User Manual
10.21
Ghost notes produce very little sound. Although often associated with drum patterns (usually on a snare),
these almost silent notes can be used with any instrument. In an actual performance, some instruments,
such as woodwinds or guitars, produce ghost notes easier than others, such as keyboards or brass.
Example of a snare played with ghost notes (middle of bar).
This extreme dampening eect is put on notes that have a special notehead: a standard note
value inside of parentheses. Some jazz/leadsheet conventions use “x” noteheads for ghost notes
instead of parentheses. (If you prefer an “x” shape, see Chapter 8, “Alternate Noteheads.”)
Enter Ghost Notes with Entry Palette
1. Ensure you are in Edit mode.
2. In the Entry Palette, click (don’t hover, so you lock open) the third pane from the left .
» The third pane’s menu locks open: all the other options turn a light gray.
3. Click a note value.
» A standard representation of the note value appears on your Music Cursor.
4. Click in the upper right corner of the menu options.
» The representation of the note on your Music Cursor now has parentheses.
5. Position the notehead where you need the note on a sta and either click your mouse or press Enter.
Enter Ghost Notes with Keyboard Shortcuts
1. Ensure you are in Edit mode.
2. Press the keyboard shortcut for the note value you want (such as Q for quarter note; E for eighth note; see full list at
Chapter 8: Enter Notes and Rests).
» A standard representation of the note value appears on your Music Cursor.
3. Press the 0 (zero) key.
» The representation of the note on your Music Cursor now has parentheses.
4. Position the notehead where you need the note on a sta and either click your mouse or press Enter.
Ghost Notes