User manual

Table Of Contents

You can create custom combined dynamics in Dorico SE, and control the intensity of

each dynamic in the pair, in the Combined Dynamics section of the Dynamics panel.

For example, you can make dynamics such as , –, and .

RELATED LINKS

Gradual dynamics on page 568

Positions of dynamics

Dynamics are placed below the staff for instruments, where they can be read alongside the

notes, and above the staff for voices. This way, they do not clash with lyrics placed below the

staff, and are still close enough to the notes to be read simultaneously.

Immediate dynamics, such as  or , are centered on the notehead to which they apply. The

beginnings of gradual dynamics are centered on the notehead from which they begin, or

immediately after an immediate dynamic at the same position. The ends of gradual dynamics are

centered on the notehead at which they end, or immediately before an immediate dynamic at

the same position.

The staff-relative placement of dynamics varies, depending on their function and the type of

player. For example, dynamics are placed below instrumental staves and above vocal staves by

default. This ensures dynamics are kept as close to the staff as possible for legibility but are not

placed between noteheads and lyrics on vocal staves. For grand staff instruments, such as piano

or harp, dynamics are usually placed between the two staves, but can be placed both above and

below when each staff requires separate dynamics.

In general, dynamics are not placed within the staff, as hairpins in particular become very hard to

read. They are also not usually placed within tuplet brackets. Dynamics are placed outside of

notations such as slurs, which must be kept close to noteheads, but inside pedal lines, which can

be placed further from noteheads and still be clearly understood.

You can move dynamics to different rhythmic positions in Write mode. They are automatically

positioned to avoid collisions.