Inputting accidentals

You can input notes with accidentals, both during step input and by adding them to existing notes.

Note

Accidentals that are part of the key signature are input automatically. For example, if you press F in G major, an F♯ is input automatically. You would only need to specify an accidental if you want to input an F♮, for example.

This also applies if you are using a MIDI keyboard, though you can respell notes if the accidentals chosen automatically are not the ones that you expected.

Procedure

  1. In Write mode, do one of the following:

    • Start note input.

    • Select the existing notes to which you want to add accidentals.

  2. Select the accidental you want to input in one of the following ways:

    • Press - for flat.

    • Press = for sharp.

    • Press 0 for natural.

    • Click the accidental you want in the Notes panel.

    Tip

    You can find uncommon accidentals, such as double sharps and flats, or microtonal accidentals, in the Accidentals section of the Key Signatures, Tuning Systems, and Accidentals panel on the right of the window.

  3. Optional: During step input, enter the note you want with your selected accidental.
    Note

    • Depending on the accidental duration system in place, subsequent accidentals for the same note in the same register might not appear in the same bar.

    • If you input notes using a MIDI device, Dorico automatically shows an accidental if necessary. It selects a sharp, flat, or natural based on key signature and context. You can later respell accidentals.

Result

The accidental is added to the selected existing notes.

During step input, the selected accidental is only input on the next note you input. You must reselect the accidental if you also want to input it on subsequent notes.