Moving jazz articulations graphically

You can move individual jazz articulations graphically without changing the notes to which they apply. You can move each end of smooth jazz articulations independently, meaning you can also adjust the angle and graphical length of individual smooth jazz articulations.

Figure 1. Handles on a smooth doit in Engrave mode
Note

You cannot move jazz articulations rhythmically. If you want to change the notes to which jazz articulations apply, you must delete them from their original notes and input new jazz articulations on the new notes.

Procedure

  1. In Engrave mode, select one of the following that you want to move:

    • Whole jazz articulations

    • Individual handles on smooth jazz articulations

    Tip

    You can show handles on all items, not just selected items, by choosing Engrave > Show Handles > Always. This can make it easier to select individual handles on multiple items.

  2. Move the jazz articulations or handles in any of the following ways:

    • Press Alt/Opt-Right Arrow to move them to the right.

    • Press Alt/Opt-Left Arrow to move them to the left.

    • Press Alt/Opt-Up Arrow to move them upwards.

    • Press Alt/Opt-Down Arrow to move them downwards.

      Tip

      If you want to move items by larger increments, you can press Ctrl/Cmd as well as the standard key command, for example, Ctrl/Cmd-Alt/Opt-Left Arrow.

    • Click and drag them in any direction.

Result

The selected jazz articulations or handles are moved graphically, without affecting the notes to which they apply.

Tip

The following properties in the Jazz Articulations group of the Properties panel are activated automatically when you move the corresponding smooth jazz articulation handle:

  • In far offset moves the start handle of jazz articulations shown before notes, that is, the handle further from the note. X moves them horizontally, Y moves them vertically.

  • In offset moves the end handle of jazz articulations shown before notes, that is, the handle closer to the note. X moves them horizontally, Y moves them vertically.

  • Out offset moves the start handle of jazz articulations shown after notes, that is, the handle closer to the note. X moves them horizontally, Y moves them vertically.

  • Out far offset moves the end handle of jazz articulations shown after notes, that is, the handle further from the note. X moves them horizontally, Y moves them vertically.

For example, if you move a whole smooth fall, both handles are moved so both Out offset and Out far offset are activated. You can also use these properties to move and lengthen/shorten smooth jazz articulations graphically by changing the values in the value fields.

Deactivating the properties resets the selected smooth jazz articulations to their default positions.