Starting a new score

When you create a new score from scratch by selecting New_Score.png you’ll see a default placeholder title and composer name.

 If you've opted to let StaffPad view your Microsoft Account information, the app will use this to pre-fill your own name as the default composer name.

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Tap on the title to change it by using the on-screen keyboard. If you wish to add a subtitle, simply tap Return and type the subtitle.

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Likewise, tap on the composer to change it, and tap Return to add an arranger or lyricist credit.

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You can change this information at any time later by simply tapping and typing in new information, or by going to the Home_Icon.png Home  screen, tapping the More image.png icon and choosing Edit Details image.png.

In the center of the screen you’ll be prompted to “+ Add an instrument to get started.” Tap this with your finger to bring up the Staffs control. 

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Generally speaking, there will be one staff per instrument, except in the cases of instruments like piano, harp, etc., which make use of a grand staff. 

You can swap instruments in the score easily. Just select the instrument you wish to swap from the In Your Score column, and the instrument you want to replace it with from the Staff list and press the swap.pngSwap icon.

  Search

You can search the instruments list by typing the first letters of the instrument name you're looking for into the search bar.

StaffPad adds the correct type of staff, clef and transposition for each instrument in the list. Currently it is not possible to define custom instruments in StaffPad. You can, however, purchase additional instruments by going to the Store on the Home screen. You can also change certain properties of an instrument once you begin working in your score.

Instruments are grouped by Category, or family. To add an instrument, select the category from the Category column, then select the instrument from the Instrument column, and then select >  Add.

You’re not limited to one of each instrument, of course. So if you want to write a piece for three English horns, four xylophones, and eight tubas, go ahead and add them to your score!

All of the instruments you add will appear in the In your score column. StaffPad arranges them in conventional score order automatically.

  Custom Ordering

 You can customise the order of staffs in your score by dragging them around with your finger.

 Select the staff in the In Your Score column, then tap the Move Up and Move Down icons to change the order.

Once you’re satisfied with your ensemble, select OK to proceed. You can always add or delete instruments later by going to the Command bar and selecting Instruments image.png , which will bring up the Staffs control again.

When your score is first created, it will appear in 4/4 time and in C major. Of course, you’re not limited to writing music within these constraints; see Time signatures and Key signatures to change the signatures.

You can also use the Composer Assistant to quickly setup your score quickly using your voice.

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