Using Sibelius/Musescore
Configuration
Selecting Audio Device
If you use a bluetooth audio device, you may find that Sibelius will ignore it and output sound through your computer speakers. Here's how to fix it:
Under the "Play" tab, click the popup button next to "Setup." This will open a dialogue.
Click "Audio Engine Options" in the lower left.
Use the "Interface" selector to choose the correct device.
If you use a bluetooth audio device, you may find that Musescore will ignore it and output sound through your computer speakers or vice versa. There's probably some way to change output device manually, but the easiest way to fix this is to just close and reopen Musescore with your device on.
Managing Large Scores
Scores can get very long very quickly: the score of a 3-minute piece with about 70 measures will take up about 8 pages of letter-size paper, which can get somewhat difficult to navigate.
Panorama/Continuous View
When editing the full score, take advantage of the Panorama/Continuous View, that way you can ignore the page and formatting when you're arranging/transcribing.


Note/Measure Selection
The usual hold-shift, hold-control, copy & paste behavior applies when you are selecting. Once you select some notes, pressing R will automatically replicate the selection to the next note available. You can also consider using the Repeat symbols:
Double click selects the whole measure (all voices).
Triple click selects the whole part (all voices).
After selecting a note or measure, use Shift + Left Click to select all the notes in between (like with a text editor). Be aware that dynamics, text, and slur markings within the selection will be copied as well.
Clicking anywhere in the middle of a measure that's not a note or other symbol will select the whole measure.
Consider using repeat symbols (in the repeats and jumps pallete) if you repeat a measure several times.

Voice Selection
If you use the normal hold-shift method, you will select all the voices. To select voices separately, select the bar(s) first, then Ctrl + Shift + Alt + [the number for the voice]. For more information on how/why/when to use separate voices, refer to this.
Clicking on the whole measure will select all voices in the measure. To select notes within a single voice, select a note in that voice and press Shift + Left Click on another note within that voice.
Note Entry
Basic Workflow
Choose a note value on the right bottom corner (if you have a keypad, notice that it maps to your keypad)
Choose the note you want by pressing the
A,B,C, etc. keys
Select a note or rest, and use
Qto halve its value orWto double it (Musescore remembers the value of the last note you entered or the last one you selected)Choose the note you want by pressing the
A,B,C, etc. keys
Dotted Notes
Select a note, and select the dot on the keypad.
Select a note. If it isn't dotted, pressing Shift + Q will halve the length and then add a dot (e.g. a whole note will become a dotted half), and Shift + W will add a dot (e.g. a half note becomes a dotted half). If it is dotted, Shift + Q removes the dot (e.g. dotted half becomes half), and Shift + W removes the dot and doubles the note length (e.g. dotted half becomes whole).
Pressing . will also toggle the dot on a note, or extend it with a tie into the next measure if necessary.
Hard-to-Play or Impossible Notes
When arranging, keep in mind that your notes are being played by real instruments. Sibelius tells you which notes are out of an instrument's range.
If it is a dark shade of red, it means it is hard to play for a beginner but is usually playable for an experienced player. Whether or not Intermission musicians can hit them depends on the instrument, and the individual players (check with a relevant section leader if you're unsure).
Example: (violin)
If it is a solid red, it means that it is impossible to play with a standard instrument. This is especially the case if the note is on the lower range of the instrument. Higher notes tend to be bounded by technique, but lower notes are usually bounded by physical limitations.
Example: (piccolo)
To resolve these issues, you can consider having them play at a different octave, or letting another instrument that has a more appropriate range play.
When arranging, keep in mind that your notes are being played by real instruments. Musescore tells you which notes are out of an instrument's range.
If it is a shade of yellow, it means it is hard to play for a beginner but is usually playable for an experienced player. Whether or not Intermission musicians can hit them depends on the instrument, and the individual players (check with a relevant section leader if you're unsure).
Example: (violin)
If it is a solid red, it means that it is impossible to play with a standard instrument. This is especially the case if the note is on the lower range of the instrument. Higher notes tend to be bounded by technique, but lower notes are usually bounded by physical limitations.
Example: (piccolo)
To resolve these issues, you can consider having them play at a different octave, or letting another instrument that has a more appropriate range play.
Changing Octaves
Select the note(s) you want to change
Control+↑on Windows orCommand+↑on Mac raises by an octave;Control+↓on Windows;Command+↓on Mac lowers by an octave
Select the note(s) you want to change
Control+↑on Windows orCommand+↑on Mac raises by an octave;Control+↓on Windows;Command+↓on Mac lowers by an octave
Multiple Notes
There are two cases for multiple notes. If all the notes have the same length (ie. chord, divisi, double stop), use regular numbers not on keypad—indicating the relative position—to enter notes. For example, if you have a C and want a chord that has C and G in it, to type the G, make sure C is selected, then press 5 (G is a fifth away from C). To get the G below instead, then press Shift + 4 (G is a fourth below C).
If the notes you want have different lengths but coincides sometimes, use multiple voices. Voicing options can be found below the note value selection box.
Example:
There are two cases for multiple notes.
If all the notes have the same length (ie. chord, divisi, double stop), use Add -> Intervals and choose the appropriate interval, or Option + {n} where {n} is replaced by the size of the interval you want to enter. For example, if you have a C and want a chord that has C and G in it, to type the G, make sure C is selected, then press Option + 5 (G is a fifth above C). To get the G below instead, use Add -> Intervals -> Fourth Below (G is a fourth below C).
If the notes you want have different lengths but coincide sometimes, use multiple voices. Select Tools -> Voices to show voice options.
Example:
Grace Notes
Click on the note that has grace notes and navigate to your Keypad:
Select the note you want to attach a grace note to. From the Grace Notes palette, double click the kind of grace note you want:

Tied Notes
Select the tie from the keypad.

Press + to tie the selected note to the next.
Slur Lines
Click on the notes you want to slur and press S. If the slur starts with a grace note, click the first grace note, then press S and space to extend over to the next note.
Click on the notes you want to slur and press S.
Text Entry
Tempo
Click on the first rest or note that the tempo is applied to
Go to
Text->Styles->Tempo->Metronome MarkThe text cursor that looks like | will flicker on top of the note you selected
Right click on that, and select the quarter note, dotted quarter, etc. as appropriate
Complete the tempo with “ = 180”; for example:
Go to
Add->Text->Tempo Marking, or pressAlt/Option+Shift+tto insert tempo textMusescore will choose the appropriate beat for you; you just need to enter an appropriate number on the right side of the
=
Titles/Subtitles
You must leave panorama/continuous view in order to enter title text.
Go to Text -> Style -> Title . When typing, you can also use \$title\ etc. placeholders; they will be replaced by whatever you filled in the score information section.
Go to Add -> Text, and use the appropriate text type.
Expression Markings
Select a note/measure, and then press Ctrl + E (Command + E on Mac). If you're entering dynamics, hold Ctrl (or Command) while typing to bold the text.
Select a note/measure, and then press Ctrl + E (Command + E on Mac). If you're entering dynamics, use the Dynamics pallet to get the right formatting and affect playback.

Technique Markings
Select a note, and press Ctrl + T (or Command + T), and start typing.
Select a note, and press Ctrl + T (or Command + T), and start typing.
Lyrics
Select a note, and press Ctrl + L (or Command + L), and start typing. Pressing space will automatically enter the next word/syllable on the next note.
Select a note, and press Ctrl + L (or Command + L), and start typing. Pressing space will automatically enter the next word/syllable on the next note.
Large Time Signatures in Score
Appearance->Engraving Rules->Time signatures->Time signatures (huge)Edit Text Style->Opus Big Time StdSame place ->
Line Spacing->100%Hit
OkAppearance-> Design & Position (arrow)Time signature (huge)-> SetVertical position relative to staffto 0 for both score and parts -> hitOKAppearance->System Objects-> Select other systems you want the time signature on (horn, percussion)Ctrl+A->Ctrl+Shift+Nto fix spacing between time signature and bar line and notes
Not really supported :(. There are some workarounds though; Google them if you really want this.
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