Reader Question: How Do I Create A Scales Worksheet? [Video]

Posted on 14. Nov, 2011 by MuseScoreTips in How-To Videos, Quicktips

Recently MuseScoreTips reader Austin Johnson wrote to say that he was having trouble trying to create a scales worksheet. Austin wrote:

I need 12 staffs per page. Each staff 2 measures long. Each staff with its own key signature. I am attempting to write various scales to practice…in all the keys.

Scale Examples: C C# D Eb E F F# etc.

I have been unsuccessful copying and pasting because only one key signature per page/composition seems the norm. Seems simple enough, but how?

Thanks, Austin Johnson

I replied to Austin with a solution but then thought that I’d make a quick video in case others would find it beneficial. Here it is (video transcript below):

Video Transcript

I recently had a query from a MuseScoretips reader Austin Johnson. Austin wrote to ask about the best way to create a page of scales in each key – all 12 – which he could use for practise purposes.

He wanted to have 2 measures on each line, and each line needed to have a different key signature – one for each of the scales.

The way to solve this problem is to think in a linear way:
Create a score with a single instrument and use some formatting tricks to achieve the effect you need. To show you the step-by-step process I would use, I’ll create a page with 8 scales on it – one for each of the diatonic major keys.

First of all, create a new score with a treble staff (I chose to use flute) and a total of 16 measures.

Next, add a line break from the Breaks and Spacers palette to every second measure.

To make the final line spread across the width of the page, go to Style > Edit General Style and click on Page. Change the Last system fill threshold to 0% and click OK.

Now we’ll add in the notes of the first scale – which is in C major. I can copy and paste this first scale into measure 3 and then use the up arrow to move the notes up a tone. Continue copying, pasting and moving each new scale until you’ve filled the entire page.

Next, add your key signatures in, at the beginning of each line.

Lastly, we’ll do a few things to tidy up the score:

You can remove these courtesy key signatures at the end of each line by going to Style > Edit General Style. Click on Page in the list on the left and uncheck the Create courtesy key signature box.

You can also remove these courtesy naturals by right-clicking on them and choosing Hide naturals.

If you want to remove the instrument name at the beginning of each stave, right-click on the stave and choose Staff Properties. Delete the long and short instrument names and click OK.

Thanks for watching. You can find more tips like this one, plus a free MuseScore cheatsheet at musescoretips.com

Tags: how to, musescore, scales, tips, tutorial, video, worksheet