Swing

For a discussion of creating playback with a swing feel, see Swing in the Installation & Tutorials.

The most common convention is to notate “swung” eighth notes as standard eighth notes, with the word Swing above the score (usually on the first page, with the tempo marking). Finale follows this convention in transcribing real-time performances. Note the Jazz Human Playback style applies a swing feel to your score. See Playback Settings dialog box.

To notate swing performances (HyperScribe)

1. From the MIDI/Audio Menu, choose Quantization Settings. The Quantization Settings dialog box appears.
2. Select a Smallest Note Value. See Quantization Settings dialog box for more information.
3. Select Space Notes Evenly in Beat. Finale will notate swung eighth notes as normal eighth notes, but will accurately notate triplets if you play them.

Note: It’s a good idea to tell Finale beforehand exactly how you want the triplets notated—whether or not they should have a bracket or slur, and so on. Instructions for defining the default tuplet appearance can be found under Document Options-Tuplets.

4. Click More Settings. The More Quantization Settings dialog box appears.
5. Select Soften Syncopations. See More Quantization Settings dialog box for more information.
6. Click OK twice.
7. Record your performance. See Recording in HyperScribe–To record into one or two staves . 

Note: For other ways to create a swing performance see Swing Playback.

To notate swing performances (Transcription Mode)

You can also transcribe swing performances with the Transcription Mode. The process is roughly the same, but the steps are slightly different.

1. Click the HyperScribe Tool   and select Transcription Mode from the HyperScribe Menu. Click the measure at which you want the transcription to begin. You enter the Transcription window.
2. Record your performance in the usual way. See “To record a performance,” above.
3. Click the Quant Settings button in the Transcription window. The Quantization Settings dialog box appears.
4. Select Space Notes Evenly in Beat. Finale will notate swung eighth notes as normal eighth-note pairs, but will accurately notate any triplets that occur. See More Quantization Settings dialog box for more information. Note: Again, you can tell Finale beforehand exactly how you want the triplets notated—whether or not they should have a bracket or slur, and so on. Instructions for defining the default tuplet appearance can be found under Tuplets.
5. Click OK.
6. Continue the transcription process in the usual way. Again, see “To transcribe a performance,” above.