Most music educators, choir directors, composers or music students have likely used a music notation program for a variety of reasons including:
Having a clean representation of musical ideas to share with others
Getting immediate feedback from the playback function
Writing for more than one voice and hearing them played together
Creating worksheets
Transposing parts for ensembles
Re-writing a part to make it accessible to a variety of levels of students
In the last couple of years, Doricohas established itself as an incredible resource and tool for educators. If you are new to music notation software, or Dorico specifically, this article will help you get started and guide you through your first project and building worksheets.
Getting Started
First, download the trial software. Dorico comes in three versions: Dorico Pro 3.5, Dorico Elements 3.5 and Dorico SE 3.5. (Here’s a comparison chart.) I recommend that you download so you can try all of the software’s available features during your 30-day trial.
You can learn the ins and outs of Dorico by watching videos and downloading PDFs on “Getting Started with Note Input” and “Creating a Worksheet.”
Watch Training Videos
Once you have installed Dorico, head to YouTube and watch this introductory overview video of the software.
BONUS DOCUMENT – For even more training videos, download this document.
Get Started with Note Input
If you are new to Dorico and want to try a directed project to learn common key commands, download the Getting Started with Note Inputarticle. This article will teach you how create a four-bar piece of music for four string instruments and lead vocal including using voices (two simultaneous rhythms per staff), articulations, dynamics, chords and lyrics.
Create a Worksheet Handout
As an educator, you will need to make worksheets or handouts. Download the Creating a worksheet zip file that will show you what you need to do, starting either with the included time-saving Dorico project template or completely from scratch. Just unzip the file to access the PDF and the Dorico project template.
Dr. Dave Gerhart is the assistant segment marketing manager of education and is a nationally recognized performer, composer and educator. Gerhart holds a D.M.A. from the University of Southern California, an M.M. in Percussion Performance and Instrumental Conducting, and a B.M. in Music Education from California State University, Long Beach. Before joining Yamaha, Gerhart was a Yamaha Performing Artist. He now travels the country sharing his passion for music education. In his free time, he teaches at the CSULB Steel Drum Orchestra and has published works for percussion and steel drum ensembles.
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