Tip #7 - Use a Template to Start New Scores

Here's a good tip sent in by Steve Richie:

Use A Standard Template for Starting New MusEdit Scores

I find MusEdit is very easy/quick to use, but I'd thought I'd share my template with you for use/enhancement by all. Attached is a file template.med. It has all the layout out I need to
a) get started without thinking
b) attempt to keep my transcriptions standardised

To use this template file you should first put it in your C:\Program Files\MusEdit folder (C:\MusEdit for Win 3.1), and you probably want to make a backup copy since it's easy to accidentally change it without renaming it. Then when you want to start a new MusEdit score don't use File|New, but instead use File|Open and open template.med. The very next thing you should do is File|Save As... and give it the name of the new score you'll be creating -this way you won't mess up the original template.med file (which could easily happen with auto-save turned on!)

(I've made the file read only so that as soon as you type you'll get the "Read Only" warning as a reminder to save the file under a new name, but you can turn this off on the template file if you wish. You may also want to change the size to your favorite setting, then do File|Save so it always opens that size later. -Doug)

The guts of the file should be self explanatory, but here goes anyway.

The transcription header comes first. I highlight and overwrite all the memory joggers between the "<" and ">" symbols. Note that instead of using the mouse, you can efficiently navigate to text with the arrow and End keys. Then highlight the text near the cursor by holding down the SHIFT key while using arrow keys. Typing characters will overwrite what is highlighted. eg. At start of line one - title - hold down the shift key and press the End key. Title is highlighted. overwrite this with the actual title.

I use a text line for tempo description at present (eg. slow, sad). Those with drum machines and/or computers with MIDI (my stuff can't come out of storage soon enough!) can also (optionally) use the rhythm line description for tempo.

Text lines for Intro and Verses can be cut and pasted at will.

I work usually in standard or Open G tunings tab, and start with mutual translation ON to provide the translation to treble. I then remove whatever I don't want, which is quicker than creating it.

I have inserted an arbitrary chord on the chord line, to make it obvious that a chord line is present. I always order the lines Chord, Treble, Tab.

The time signature I have included here, but my personal preference is to leave it out. -Steve Richie

Click here for the MusEdit template document

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