User manual

chord
Two or more notes of the same duration that start at the same rhythmic position and share a
stem.
collision avoidance
Automatic adjustments made by Dorico Elements to ensure multiple items at the same position
do not overlap and that all remain clearly legible. Includes changing the shape of items, such as
slurs, and changing the vertical and/or horizontal position of items, such as accidentals in chords.
column
A vertical line representing the same horizontal position across all staves in the system. Used to
determine the position of notes and chords for the purposes of spacing music accurately.
Multiple columns can be used for the same rhythmic position to accommodate multiple voices,
with notes or chords in some voices being offset horizontally from notes or chords in other
voices.
concert pitch
All notes are written as they sound. Full scores are often notated in concert pitch, so that
harmonies and themes are easier to identify. Also known as “sounding pitch”. See also
transposed pitch.
context menu
A menu that you can access by right-clicking on a mouse or double-tapping on a trackpad. Its
options vary by the location of the mouse pointer when you access it, but it most commonly
contains options also found on the Edit menu.
cursor
The vertical blinking line that appears when entering or editing text. See also caret.
D
disclosure arrow
A small arrow that is shown on all edges of the main window in Dorico Elements. It allows you to
hide/show the toolbar and panels individually.
divisi
An instruction (using the Italian word for “divide” or “divided”) that tells players to split into
multiple groups that each play a separate line of the part. Divisi passages can be notated all on
the same staff, sometimes using multiple voices, or across multiple staves.
E
EDO
An abbreviation for Equal Division of the Octave, it is a unit used to describe how an octave can
be divided into equal parts, often for the purpose of dening a microtonal scale or tonality
system. Traditional Western European music uses 12-EDO, that is, each octave is divided into 12
equal semitones or half-steps. Music that uses equal quarter tones uses 24-EDO.
Engrave mode
A workspace that allows you to make ne graphical adjustments and to adjust the page layout
and the format of the system. See also modes.
engraving options
Options that affect the graphical appearance of the notation, including choice of symbols, line
thicknesses, and distances. These options apply to the whole project, including all ows and
layouts, and can be set in the Engraving Options dialog.
ensemble
A predened collection of players, each holding instruments that are often used together, such
as string quartet, wind quintet, brass quintet, string ensemble, and double woodwinds.
Glossary
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