The thread title says “Quarter tone time signature”.

You probably mean “Quarter tone key signature”.

Regarding your questions:

The better we understand, the better we can help.

a) What key signatures, exactly, do you need?

b) Layout or Playback? - or both?

Dear Peter,

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. Yes, I meant "Quarter tone key signature," not time signature.

To answer your 2nd question first, I'm not concerned with playback, only layout.

Regarding the key signatures I need, of course, there are several. But if you can guide me through a couple, I could do the rest. Here are three examples of key signatures I need:

1) A minor, but with a B three-quarter flat (which I can access in the Maestro Percussion font by clicking shift b (B), with the alter amount -1). I know how to make this key signature. The problem is that when I do it, the software automatically changes the F#s in the score to F three-quarter flat (in the layout, not in the playback). No matter what I try, I can't make F#s appear in the score.

2) How can I make a key signature that is C major but with the E being three-quarter flat? Whenever I try to access the quarter tones, the software insists that the first three-quarter flat be B, the second E, etc. I just want E three-quarter flat (not B).

3) How can I make a key signature with quarter tones AND "regular" accidentals? For example:

A, B three-quarter flat, C, D, E, F#, G

Thanks in advance for your help,

Ara

Ara,

As the first step, go to Document Options - Fonts, and choose Maestro Percussion as the font for Key.

Next, go to Document Options - Key Signatures, and choose Music Characters for the key signature accidentals.

You will have to choose character #109 for sharp.

The key signature examples you mention, are quite simple.

They can be done as a Linear Key Format (= no need for Non-Linear Key Signature here).

NB:

Go past Linear Key Format 0 and Linear Key Format 1, to get to Linear Key Format 2. Linear Key Format 0 and Linear Key Format 1 are “hardwired” - you can not customise them.

Now for your questions:

1) I would not call this key “A minor, but with a B ¾ flat”. Instead I would call it “A phrygian, but with a B ¾ flat”. Creating this key signature is as simple as choosing the symbol {¾ flat} as the Music Character for {flat}. Then, set the key signature to 1 flat.

2) If you go to Linear Key Format 2, the button {Acc. Order} is active. Click the button {Acc. Order}, click {Prev} to go to Unit -1, and change its Step Level from 6 (= B) to 2 (= E). Set its Amount. Click OK.

To adjust the accidental’s octave level, use the button {Acc. Octave}.

Clef 0 = Treble Clef

3) For this key signature you could use the {¾ flat} as the Music Character for {flat}.

Then, set the key signature to two flats, and adjust the accidentals as described above.

(Or, set the key signature to two sharps, and adjust the accidentals.)

If you have more questions about this, let me know.

Dear Peter,

To begin, I can't thank you enough for taking the time in helping me. I truly appreciate it. However, I continue to have problems.

Before you addressed my three specific questions, you had me to begin with the Document Options instructions. I was able to set the font as Maestro Percussion. However, I'm stuck with the key signatures instructions. There is a Music Characters option which when clicked, there is a drop down with the following choices: natural, flat, sharp, double flat, double sharp. Next to it is the Select option. When I click the Select option, the #109 option which you suggested was #, is actually the upper mordent (squiggly line) symbol. The #35 option is the #. Of course, I tried all of these options, but without success.

Regarding my question number 1, again, although I can successfully put the B 3/4 flat in the key signature, it then automatically changes the F#s in my score to F 3/4 flat. Everything I try to then change the F 3/4 flats to F#s does not work.

I don't know if this is inappropriate, but is there any way we could speak on the phone, or communicate in real time on the internet so you could guide me through this? I'm sorry I'm not more computer savvy. 

Thanks again,

Ara

… you had me to begin with the Document Options instructions. I was able to set the font as Maestro Percussion. However, I'm stuck with the key signatures instructions. There is a Music Characters option which when clicked, there is a drop down with the following choices: natural, flat, sharp, double flat, double sharp. Next to it is the Select option. When I click the Select option, the #109 option which you suggested was #, is actually the upper mordent (squiggly line) symbol. The #35 option is the # …

For the Maestro Percussion font the sharp is in font slot #109.

On The Other Hand, for the Maestro font the sharp is in font slot #35.

And the Maestro font indeed has the “upper mordent (squiggly line) symbol” in slot #109.

My guess is that you - when setting the font as Maestro Percussion - went to the wrong place.

You should go to

Document Options - Fonts > Notation: > Key

and set the Key font to Maestro Percussion.

… although I can successfully put the B 3/4 flat in the key signature, it then automatically changes the F#s in my score to F 3/4 flat …

Did you perhaps go to

Document Options - Fonts > Notation: > Accidentals

and set the Accidentals font to Maestro Percussion?

There is nothing wrong with setting the Accidentals font to Maestro Percussion.

But then you must also go to

Document Options - Accidentals > Music Characters:

and set the correct character for the {Note Accidental} sharp (= #109).

We can speak on the phone. That is fine with me.

Perhaps a Skype conversation would be more useful?

But where are you?

Are we in the same time zone?

I am in Danmark.

Dear Peter,

I once again thank you so much for your help, and once again apologize that, despite executing everything you suggested, it is still not working. If it is not too much to ask, I would greatly appreciate a Skype conversation.I am in New Jersey, USA. Please tell me what day and time would be most convenient for you, and what information you need from me. Again, I appreciate this so much. Thanks, Ara

Ara,

Send me an e-mail:

g t p t h o m s e n (a) a i m . c  o m