Brackets according to project template categories

Staves are bracketed differently depending on the category of project template you use to start a new project, even if you later change the players in the project. For example, all staves are bracketed together when you start a project using one of the chamber templates.

The following categories of templates are available in Dorico Pro, which bracket staves automatically in different ways by automatically selecting the appropriate ensemble type for the template on the Brackets and Braces page in Engrave > Engraving Options.

Note
  • Grand staff instruments, such as piano, are always excluded from brackets. They also split brackets if they are placed within a bracketed group.

  • There must be at least two adjacent instruments for a bracket to be shown.

Orchestral

Large ensembles containing most Western instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

In orchestral templates, staves are bracketed according to their instrument family. For example, adjacent string instruments are bracketed together separately from adjacent woodwind instruments.

Band

Large ensembles containing primarily wind instruments, including woodwind and brass instruments, and optionally percussion and other instruments, such as strings and guitars.

Different band templates bracket instruments differently, for example, the concert band template brackets woodwind and brass instruments separately, whereas the brass band template brackets brass instruments according to their instrument type, except for horns and trumpets, which are bracketed together. Any other instruments in the score are bracketed according to their instrument family, and percussion and timpani are bracketed separately.

Jazz

Popular ensembles commonly used to perform jazz.

In small jazz templates, no staves are bracketed together. Grand staff instruments are still shown with braces. The big band template uses the Big band ensemble type for brackets.

Chamber

Typically small ensembles containing only a few players.

In chamber templates, all staves in the project are bracketed together with a single bracket, regardless of their instrument family.

Choral and Vocal

Ensembles containing voices, including popular choir arrangements.

In choral and vocal templates, staves are bracketed according to their instrument family. For example, adjacent vocal staves are bracketed together separately from accompanying instruments. However, vocal staves are not joined by barlines.

Solo

Ensembles containing only a single player/instrument.

In solo templates, no staves are bracketed together. Grand staff instruments are still shown with braces.