Dorico Explained

Dorico is a powerful music notation program from Steinberg that's capable of incredibly complex and expressive scores. Like most notation programs, however, there's a bit of a learning curve, especially if you want to become proficient on it. We've got you covered at Groove3, as Doug Zangar has created an in-depth Dorico tutorial series that will have you well on your way to becoming a Dorico expert! This is the place to start to get an in-depth understanding of many of Dorico’s features. These videos are designed for new Dorico users.

Getting Started

• The Hub (03:53) - When first launching Dorico, you're greeted by the Hub. Take a tour of its three tabs: Open Recent, Create New, and Learn.

• Interface Overview Pt. 1 (05:57) - This video looks at the Modes and rest of the elements found in the Tool Bar. The associated menu items in the Window menu are also shown.

• Interface Overview Pt. 2 (05:29) - Continuing from Pt. 1, this video covers the Score tabs and the items found in the Status Bar. The Window menu items are also shown.

Preferences

• Overview & Categories (08:17) - This video gives an overview of the Preferences window and covers all the preferences in the Color and General categories.

• Categories Continued (10:51) - The preferences in the Note Input and Play categories are discussed and demonstrated.

• Key Commands (06:38) - Get a tour of the Key Commands window and learn how to find, create, and edit key commands. The Key Commands Map, setting a MIDI note for key commands, and creating an alias for the Jump Bar are also looked at.

Setup Mode

• Overview & Player's Panel (07:32) - Explore the Setup mode and learn how to add single and section players as well as ensembles into the project.

• Layouts Panel (07:44) - Layouts are what you use for the score, parts, and printing. Discover how to create different types, name, number, sort, and change player assignments.

• Flows Panel & Project Info Window (09:19) - This video shows how to name, create, and organize within the Project Info window. Additionally, the links between Players, Layouts, and Flows is demonstrated.

• Editing Player Cards (06:33) - You can change the order of the players in the score, change or add instruments, change the score name, and much more. Learn how in this video.

• Layout & Notations Windows (04:53) - Get an introduction to both the Layout Options and Notation Options windows, both of which have a huge list of options. See how to navigate, choose, and save your choices.

Write Mode

• Overview (04:13) - This video shows how to get into Write mode and covers the toolboxes and panels available.

• Project Setup (09:39) - Learn how to add and edit tempo, time signatures, and key signatures, as well as add a pickup measure or add and remove bars. Also discover how to use both the Jump bar and Instrument filters.

• Note Input Pt. 1 (07:40) - See how to use the mouse, computer keyboard, and MIDI keyboard to enter notes and rests. Doug also explains getting into Note Input mode, note duration selection, adding dotted notes, and caret navigation.

• Note Input Pt. 2 (08:51) - Discover how to extend a caret across multiple staves, use the Chords and Insert carets, and add notes to different voices.

• Note Input Pt. 3 (06:45) - The Notes Toolbox items Lock to Duration, Force Duration, Tuplets, Grace Notes, Ties, and Scissors are all demonstrated and explained.

• Note Input Pt. 4 (08:36) - Explore the transport window and associated key commands, along with the accidentals and articulations in the left panel and their key commands.

• Edit Notes (06:30) - Learn how to change a note selection's pitch, rhythmic location, duration, and staff location. Doug also covers different copy/paste techniques with key commands.

• Dynamics (10:30) - Discover how to add both sudden and gradual dynamics from the Dynamics panel or using the Dynamics popover. Editing is shown as well, including working with linked and grouped dynamics.

• Playing Techniques (07:21) - Watch how to add playing techniques from the Playing Techniques panel or Playing Techniques popover and edit them.

• Properties Panel (09:18) - See how to override the default settings on selected items. The Local and Global choices are explained in this video.

• Text Input (07:29) - Learn how to create and edit staff, system, and token text.

Engrave Mode

• Overview (11:33) - This video gives an overview of the Engrave Mode menu and focuses on the Engrave toolbox items of graphic editing, system breaks, frame breaks, staff spacing, and note spacing.

Play Mode

• Overview (06:35) - Explore the Play Mode interface, including the Global Tracks, Inspector, VST Tack, and Ruler.

• Mixer (05:11) - Discover the features of the mixer in the lower zone and the mixer window.

• Editors (09:26) - Get a tour of the Key Editor and see how to edit and add notes in the Piano Roll Editor area. The Key Editor is also available in Write mode, and the techniques to use it there are also covered.

Print Mode

• Print Mode (09:24) - This final video covers the features in Print Mode. Doug also demonstrates the link between layouts and print options and how to print to paper and a graphics file.

Dorico 4.3 Update

• Dorico 4.3 Update Pt. 1 (08:04) - This video covers a few interface updates and new features and preference settings in Write and Print modes. Boxed text and splitting notes are demonstrated.

• Dorico 4.3 Update Pt. 2 (10:19) - Play Mode had a large update. The interface changes are shown and the updates to the Key Editor are covered and demonstrated.