On the Horns of a dilemma
-
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 2:02 pm
- Sibelius Version: Ultimate 11
In producing a Conductor’s score, I have chosen to reduce Horns 1 & 2 and 3 & 4. The stave containing Horns 1 & 2 present no issues, however the reduction of Horns 3 & 4 do.
The problem is that the stave containing 3 & 4 result in chords of three notes. It is fairly obvious which is the rogue note as it is a duplication of the same note in the stave containing Horns 1 & 2. Whilst it is easily deleted (and confirmation can be obtained from the Parts scores) it is nevertheless an apparent anomaly. Has anyone come across this before?
The problem is that the stave containing 3 & 4 result in chords of three notes. It is fairly obvious which is the rogue note as it is a duplication of the same note in the stave containing Horns 1 & 2. Whilst it is easily deleted (and confirmation can be obtained from the Parts scores) it is nevertheless an apparent anomaly. Has anyone come across this before?
Can you describe how you are doing the reduction? Sibelius won't add notes on its own!
It would be helpful if you could post an extract of the score that displays the issue. You can't post sib files here directly, but if you zip them, as long as they are less than 100kb, they will post.
It would be helpful if you could post an extract of the score that displays the issue. You can't post sib files here directly, but if you zip them, as long as they are less than 100kb, they will post.
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2024.8.1, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 4, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk
-
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 2:02 pm
- Sibelius Version: Ultimate 11
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
As you might have guessed, I'm an amateur composer and can describe the method I used and will do my best with an image.
As you might have guessed, I'm an amateur composer and can describe the method I used and will do my best with an image.
-
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 2:02 pm
- Sibelius Version: Ultimate 11
In my original score, my orchestrator stated that the layout of horns should be 1,3,2,4 - don't know if this has any bearing on the problem.
I add another horn and rename it as 1 Horn 2. Select staves for horn 1 and horn 2, go to Note Input and click on Reduce to the renamed stave. Go Home and click on Inspector and click on Parts then go to Layout and select Empy Staves - hide. I then do the same process for horns 3 & 4. Hope this helps.
I add another horn and rename it as 1 Horn 2. Select staves for horn 1 and horn 2, go to Note Input and click on Reduce to the renamed stave. Go Home and click on Inspector and click on Parts then go to Layout and select Empy Staves - hide. I then do the same process for horns 3 & 4. Hope this helps.
-
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 2:02 pm
- Sibelius Version: Ultimate 11
It also occasionally produces a greyed out horn in 3&4 which is clearly intended to be for horn 1&2.
You are making this waaay too complicated. It's late now, (23:15), but I'll explain tomorrow.
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2024.8.1, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 4, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk
OK.
Start with your full score and add two more horn staves. Label them Horns 1 &2 Horns 3 & 4.
Label the 2nd page staves 1.[return]Hn.[return]2 and 3.[return]Hn.[return]4
Select all of your original horn 1 and copy it onto the Horn 1&2 staff
Select all of your original horn 3 and copy it onto the Hn 3&4 staff.
Select all of your original Hn2 and copy it onto the clipboard. Use Paste into voice to paste it in voice 2 onto the Hn 1 &2 staff
Select all of your original Hn 4 and copy it onto the clipboard. Use Paste into voice to paste it in voice 2 onto the Hn 3 &4 staff.
Either:
a) hide all the music on your original horn staves, then hide the staves in the sore (select, [ctrl]h, [ctrl][shift]h)
or
b) Select all staves except the original horn staves and use focus on staves to show only the selected (use [ctrl]a, followed by [ctrl][click] on each of the four horn staves, then select focus on staves)
or
c) Make a new part. Include all the staves except the four horn staves.
You'll probably have to sort out the formatting whichever way you do it.
If you have the latest version of Ultimate, you have the facility to make a subscore, which might make the whole process easier.
Hopefully, the attached zip file will illustrate.
Start with your full score and add two more horn staves. Label them Horns 1 &2 Horns 3 & 4.
Label the 2nd page staves 1.[return]Hn.[return]2 and 3.[return]Hn.[return]4
Select all of your original horn 1 and copy it onto the Horn 1&2 staff
Select all of your original horn 3 and copy it onto the Hn 3&4 staff.
Select all of your original Hn2 and copy it onto the clipboard. Use Paste into voice to paste it in voice 2 onto the Hn 1 &2 staff
Select all of your original Hn 4 and copy it onto the clipboard. Use Paste into voice to paste it in voice 2 onto the Hn 3 &4 staff.
Either:
a) hide all the music on your original horn staves, then hide the staves in the sore (select, [ctrl]h, [ctrl][shift]h)
or
b) Select all staves except the original horn staves and use focus on staves to show only the selected (use [ctrl]a, followed by [ctrl][click] on each of the four horn staves, then select focus on staves)
or
c) Make a new part. Include all the staves except the four horn staves.
You'll probably have to sort out the formatting whichever way you do it.
If you have the latest version of Ultimate, you have the facility to make a subscore, which might make the whole process easier.
Hopefully, the attached zip file will illustrate.
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2024.8.1, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 4, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk
-
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 2:02 pm
- Sibelius Version: Ultimate 11
Thanks Mike for all the time and effort you have put in to help me out with this dilemma.
They say that 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks' - well this proves that you can! I'm 77 and still learning and willing to learn. I will try what you suggest tomorrow and let you know how I get on before I produce any more Conductor scores.
Best wishes.
They say that 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks' - well this proves that you can! I'm 77 and still learning and willing to learn. I will try what you suggest tomorrow and let you know how I get on before I produce any more Conductor scores.
Best wishes.
-
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 2:02 pm
- Sibelius Version: Ultimate 11
I can see that your method for voicing works well and it is something that I will consider for the future. Many thanks.
Glad to be of help.
I'm not far behind you at nearly 70!
I'm not far behind you at nearly 70!

Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2024.8.1, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 4, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk