User manual

The term “playing techniques” covers a wide range of instructions intended to tell performers to
modify the sound of the notes they are playing, for example, by changing their embouchure or
changing the position of their bow, or by modifying their instrument, such as adding a mute or
depressing a pedal.
In Dorico Elements, playing techniques can be expressed as symbols or as text. All available
playing techniques can be found in the Playing Techniques panel in Write mode, organized by
instrument family. For example, you can nd pedal lines in the Keyboard section of the Playing
Techniques panel.
NOTE
Because pedal lines have additional, unique requirements that do not apply to other playing
techniques, such as retakes, start signs, and continuation lines, they are documented separately.
Pedal lines also have their own group in the Properties panel that is separate from the Playing
Techniques group.
Adding playing techniques can change how the instrument plays back. For example, adding
pizzicato to a violin staff activates a key switch that changes the sound produced by the VST
instrument.
Some of the playing techniques in Dorico Elements
RELATED LINKS
Input methods for playing techniques on page 220
Project-wide engraving options for playing techniques on page 568
Playing techniques in playback on page 581
Pedal lines on page 547
General placement conventions for playing techniques
Playing techniques, both as text and symbols, are placed above the staff. On vocal staves, they
are placed above the staff and below dynamics.
In multiple-voice contexts, playing techniques for the up-stem voices are placed above the staff
and playing techniques for the down-stem voices are placed below the staff.
Playing techniques
567