User manual

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Respelling notes

You can change the enharmonic spelling of notes so they are shown as their enharmonic

equivalents, for example, to show the stepwise movement in a phrase clearly, or to avoid altered

unisons in a chord. You can do this for all layouts or just for part layouts.

Dorico Elements uses an algorithm that automatically decides the spelling of pitches, based on

key signature and context.

There are always at least three options for every pitch, as Dorico Elements allows enharmonic

spellings to show up to two accidental glyphs. This means the same note can be spelled four

ways if the original pitch can be spelled with the note name either two notes below or two notes

above, using a maximum of two accidental glyphs. For example, B is a possible enharmonic

spelling of G♯ because a triple-at uses a single accidental glyph, whereas an F♯ uses two

accidental glyphs.

PROCEDURE

1. In the music area, open the layout in which you want to respell accidentals.

NOTE

If you respell accidentals in a full score layout, this also affects their spelling in part layouts.

However, if you respell accidentals in part layouts, this only affects their spelling in that part

layout.

2. Select the notes you want to respell.

3. Respell the selected notes in any of the following ways:

● Press Alt/Opt-= to respell upwards.

● Press Alt/Opt-- to respell downwards.

RESULT

The enharmonic spelling of the selected notes is changed.

EXAMPLE

A G sharp When respelled

downwards, the G sharp

becomes an F triple-

sharp

When respelled upwards,

the G sharp becomes an

A at

When respelled upwards

again, the G sharp

becomes a B triple-at