Writing measures in Finale

This time we're going to advance to write measures in Finale, the leading score editor in the Americas.

If you want to become a great musician and expert in the field, you must be aware that learning to use Finale is one of your tasks.

Therefore, we will explain how to write measures in Finale so that you have what it takes to capture your musical creations.

Start Finale

The first step to write measures in Finale is to start the program so you can create a new document that will allow you to write the measures.

If you don't have Finale on your computer yet, we invite you to download it from our post “Download Finale Score Editor” where you have the link to download the software and the step by step to install it on your computer.

Create a new document with the wizard

Creating a new document in Finale is not complicated, but if it's your first time, then you should consult our guide on “How To Make A New Document in Finale”

In this step-by-step guide, you can create your new document and have the necessary features to start writing measures in Finale.

We remind you that you can also consult our guides on theory and musical figures to expand your knowledge on subdivision of figures, sounds, and silences.

Use the toolbars

Now, the first thing you need to do is locate yourself on the toolbar and select the figure you want to place within each measure on the staff.

You can see that we have selected the quarter note to fill the 4/4 measures as it is the most basic expression. However, you can choose the subdivision that best fits your needs.

An example of subdivision for 4/4 measures is:

• Two quarter notes with four eighth notes.
• A whole note.
• Two half notes.
• A half note with two four eighth notes.
• A quarter note, a half note, and two eighth notes.

Among many other forms that you might need to write measures in Finale.

Now, there's a very important tool which is the eraser because it will help you do just that, erase if you wrote something wrong.

Thus, you only need to place the figure on the line or space you want and click.

At the same time, if you want to erase, simply select the eraser as seen in the previous image, after you have it you place the pointer over the figure you want to erase, click and that's it, it's automatically erased.

Writing measures in Finale: triplets

In Finale, you will find the Triplet tool which is widely used by students and music professionals.

You can see in the previous image where the “Triplet” tool is located that you must select. Once you have it on the pointer, you must choose the figure that will be part of the triplet.

In our case we have chosen the quarter notes and in the image, it is selected, but you can select eighth notes or others that are of your interest.

Just remember that first you must have the triplets on the pointer and then you click on the figure you want in the triplet.

We invite you to write to us so you can make your inquiries about how to write measures in Finale and thus expand your knowledge.