# Dorico Reference

{% hint style="info" %}
**Dorico at a glance:**

* costs a lot of money
* ultra professional looking scores
* very intuitive
* [Design philosophy and higher-level concepts](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/program_concepts/program_concepts_design_philosophy_c.html)
  * [solo vs. section players](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/program_concepts/program_concepts_players_c.html)
* [**"How to" Videos on Youtube**](https://www.youtube.com/c/dorico/playlists?view=50\&sort=dd\&shelf_id=8)
* [Key Commands (keyboard shortcuts)](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/user_interface/user_interface_key_commands_interactive_map_r.html?hl=key%2Ccommands)
* [Handbells](https://www.jimwinslett.com/handbells-in-dorico)
  {% endhint %}

Here are some scores to work with in class:

{% file src="<https://content.gitbook.com/content/5tIlQ7lQpsMETS0DoCCi/blobs/anMMzXAszbgSRAIjXH6G/Abide%20with%20Me%20and%20Schoenberg%20Quintet>" %}

## [Setup Mode](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/setup_mode/setup_mode_introduction_c.html) \[ctrl/cmd + 1]

* Flows - remove instrument from a flow by deactivating (uncheck) the instrument under Players (on left)
* Change how much will fit on a page (make everything smaller or larger):
  * Setup > Layout Options ... Space Size (equivalent to the Finale % Tool)

## [Write Mode](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/write_mode/write_mode_introduction_c.html) \[ctrl/cmd + 2] = opposite of Finale

![input keyboard shortcuts](https://content.gitbook.com/content/5tIlQ7lQpsMETS0DoCCi/blobs/3pbnhW1FytMOLgWbUWdi/dorico-write-mode-shortcuts2.png)

* Whenever you see the caret, you are inputting new music.
* When you do not see the caret, you are editing existing music.
* enter note input mode by selecting a measure or note or reset and pressing enter (or shift+n)
* to leave note input (caret) press ESC

{% hint style="info" %}
press shift+opt+\[note letter] to force a note to enter above the previous note

* unfortunately this doesn't work for the pitch "b" because shift+opt+b creates a dead key ... see = <https://forums.steinberg.net/t/option-shift-b-does-not-write-b-in-the-octave-above/81238/5>

To input a note below the previously input note, press Ctrl-Alt (Windows) or Ctrl (macOS) as well as the letter for the note, for example, Ctrl-Alt-A (Windows) or Ctrl-A (macOS).
{% endhint %}

* transpose a note by a half step:
  * Windows = shift+alt+arrow
  * Mac = shift+option+arrow
* transpose a note by an octave:
  * Windows = ctrl+alt+arrow
  * Mac = option+command+arrow
* [enharmonic respelling](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/write_mode/write_mode_note_input/write_mode_notes_respelling_t.html?hl=enharmonic%2Crespelling) = press \[ALT +] or \[ALT - ]
* [input rests](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/write_mode/write_mode_note_input/write_mode_rests_inputting_t.html?hl=inputting%2Crests) \[ space bar ] = press space bar instead of a pitch
  * OR press comma to toggle on/off rests .... choose a duration, then press a note on the MIDI keyboard or a letter (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) on the QWERTY keyboard to input a rest at the duration you chose
* tuplets = press \[shift + ;]
  * here's a great video = <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XfsdNZjZwE>
* insert mode \[ i ] = ALL notes downstream on staff move (not just in one measure like Finale)
  * if you select notes and change their duration, other notes will shift
* dynamics = select a group of notes and \[Shift + D] ... add p\<f to the popover
  * (if you move a note, the hairpin adjusts)
* Shift + \[letter] is used to create something
  * \[Shift + V] = [add another voice (or layer)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKBU7z0gAVo\&list=PLoyaeouPUsdsnltPMEyV6pzuHh6cs9-Cp\&index=9) ... make sure the stem is pointing the direction you need
    * press \[ v ] to switch between layers you have created
    * to remove rests created by adding voices = use start and end voice from bottom menu ([see this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKBU7z0gAVo\&list=PLoyaeouPUsdsnltPMEyV6pzuHh6cs9-Cp\&index=9))  OR select a rest you want to delete and go to Edit > Remove Rests
  * \[Shift + M] = add a meter starting at the selected note ( example = 4/4  ... or 4/4,1 if there is a pickup)
  * \[Shift + K] = add a key signature ( example = Eb )
  * \[Shift + L] = add lyrics ([video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfhDVl-vRRo\&list=PLoyaeouPUsdsnltPMEyV6pzuHh6cs9-Cp\&index=10))
    * [verse numbers](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/notation_reference/notation_reference_lyrics/notation_reference_lyrics_verse_numbers_c.html?hl=verse%2Cnumbers)
  * see [Key Commands](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/user_interface/user_interface_key_commands_interactive_map_r.html?hl=key%2Ccommands) for more
* delete extra measures:
  * Write > Trim Flow

## [Engrave Mode](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/engrave_mode/engrave_mode_introduction_c.html) \[ctrl/cmd + 3] = point & click to adjust items ( [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BYsKNIhP9A\&list=PLoyaeouPUsdvy438lfsc78RZxhKTdOcKN) )

* turn on frame editing (top left switch) ( [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HbY8nZzrOw\&list=PLoyaeouPUsdvy438lfsc78RZxhKTdOcKN\&index=3) )
  * green frame = text
  * blue frame = music (chain frame)
  * purple frame = graphics

## [Play Mode](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/play_mode/play_mode_introduction_c.html) \[ctrl/cmd + 4]

## [Print Mode](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/print_mode/print_mode_introduction_c.html) \[ctrl/cmd + 5]

* [export graphics](https://steinberg.help/dorico_pro/v3.5/en/dorico/topics/print_mode/print_mode_layouts_exporting_as_graphics_files_t.html?hl=exporting%2Clayouts%2Cgraphic%2Cfiles) (to use in Microsoft Word for example)&#x20;
  * Microsoft Word = export out of Dorico as PDF and crop in Preview … then:
    * open Microsoft Word
    * drag in the .PDF file
  * Adobe Illustrator (export out of Dorico as SVG)
    1. open the .SVG file in Illustrator
    2. everything will be editable, but it will all be grouped together
    3. with everything selected, go to Object > Ungroup
    4. now there are many groups of grouped objects … so you’ll still need to go to Object > Ungroup for staff lines and groups of notes&#x20;
    5. now you should be able to edit items individually
    6. to crop:
       * choose the Artboard Tool
       * crop area
       * File > Export > Export As …
       * put a check in the box “Use Artboards”


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://benjohansen.gitbook.io/musictech/appendix/dorico-reference.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.