Starting Your First Project | Getting Started with Dorico SE

A newer version of this video is available here: • Starting your first pr...
In this series on getting started using Dorico SE, the free music notation software from Steinberg, we’ll show you everything you need to know to create your first masterpiece. This video walks through how to start a new project, set up your score, and start inputting music using your computer or a MIDI keyboard.
We hope you find this video entertaining and useful. If you like what you see, please leave a comment and tell us what you think. Thank you.
Your Steinberg KZbin Team
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[@ednafrench6269]

Anthony, this video is perfect for me. The speed is slow enough for my 80-year old mind to grasp. You take care to show the screen and the mouse clearly enough that I can detect what you are doing. Your "classroom " setup gives enough room for me to view everything as you move around. I like the way you introduce adding notes by using the mouse first. I believe that most people are quite familiar with that technique. Next you introduce viewers to use of keyboard commands, and you do that gradually. I wasn’t overwhelmed. I can’t wait to try this out and to progress to the next video. Keep up the outstanding teaching.

[@paulryan59]

very well explained thank you

[@karajohnstad2596]

This was a wonderful way to get to learn more about Dorico. I have had the software for over a year and FINALLY:) have the time to start. I am excited and inspired to see all my compositions notated and begin to arrange more for voices. Thank you, Anthony, for this great heartfelt, and clear demonstration. I appreciate the slow and steady pace. And thank you, Steinberg for creating Dorico. I had cuebase and was quite overwhelmed with learning it. I am happy to be able to start again with one of your excellent products.

[@stripeydeckchair]

wonderful , so clear concise and unhurried, perfect!

[@teamsexcel]

This is most helpful for understanding what Dorico can do. Very nicely presented.

[@Zaskar1978]

Even for a newbie Dorico SE is fairly easy to use. Just take your time and follow the superb tutorials on this channel. Thank you Steinberg.

[@winddealer1]

Thank you for providing this great resource to the music community.

[@brianhannaway7590]

Very clear. Very many thanks, Brian

[@davidbayliss9348]

What a delightful tutorial. Simple language in a clear and precise tone. Very earsy to follow. Thank you.

[@keithhaynie8768]

Dorico is impacting and very helpful. Thanks!!

[@konrad7430]

excellent video for someone contemplating the big switch from Sibelius after20+ years. so far, it seems intuitive and user friendly.

[@SLIMMYPT]

you are a brilliant teacher

[@maryhurd8348]

This is a great way to begin using Dorico.

[@johne1599]

Wow, Dorico is a very well designed program. Anthony, great tutorial. Thank you!

[@17244852]

Life-long guitarist (folk) but because of injury can no longer hold 'big' chords so switched to piano. BIG difference! I need to write my compositions and Dorico looks just right - helped tremendously by your very clear tutorials. Also encouraging is the feature that I can learn the 'chops' on the SE version free then upgrade to the more fully featured multi-instrumental package when I am ready. Thank you so much. I am a fan already.

[@keithfoester7326]

Oh I fell in love with his voice

[@pouyanikpour82]

thank You so much ,it was a great Intro for me to dive into the Dorico.

[@enriquesanchez2001]

Brilliant and easy to follow instructions. Thank you, Anthony. ♥

[@ruthkeattch5729]

Brilliant, thank you - very clear.

[@MichaelJMcEvoy]

I'm convinced! Looks like the way to go. Thanks Anthony for such a clear introduction.

[@michaelconklin5780]

I started out on Finale in the 1990s and then switched to Sibelius about 20 years ago. After growing tired of having to reactivate Sibelius every month, I've decided to check out Dorico. It looks like the most intuitive of the bunch! I just purchased my academic-cross-grade and look forward to getting started. Thanks for the clear, concise introduction, Anthony! Best wishes.

[@lisasimkins50]

I found what I was looking for here! Great videos, clear and so informative, I learned a lot in this one video, thank you!

[@kevinnorbury5706]

So nice to finally put a face to the voice!

[@OreilleGauche]

great tuto, great tutor, good job,. Im switching for Dorico

[@donnabradford7474]

It offsets my notes in a weird way that no one would ever want or do. Why?

[@pdianghunkharsohnoh7847]

Great!! It worked out perfectly

[@MrPeet2709]

Very clear and easy to follow instructions .Thanks good job 👍

[@ajryangameaudio]

Thanks Anthony! Literally just starting with Dorico today, enjoy it already

[@laurocayamcela15]

Fantastico el video muy claro y definido. Bravo Anthony

[@Hi-xs7wm]

There's a problem when starting Dorico free version (wait for audio engine) gets stuck. Impossible to use it !

[@krzemian]

I can't decide which one is better: Dorico or the way these tutorials are laid out. Anthony, you're doing an amazing job explaining these concepts!

[@yllen1816]

Ist doesn‘t work the click notes into the score!

[@pmadamson]

Thanks for that. Without the Tutorials it is not an intuitive program. This is well explained and I've managed to get started with the program which does look good. I am actually using the Elements version but this was great for getting started. Thanks again. Please ignore my earlier comments now I've sussed out the differences between midi input and audio input.

[@sergio_grez]

Wish the note insertion was easier and more user friendly like NoteWorthy Composer. There's no better User Experience than the one you get in that software. You can easily navigate through the score with the Up and Down arrows and press enter to insert the note, that's it, no clicking, no nothing. You still have to choose the kind of note you need (from 1 to 7 or 8), but inserting notes with the Enter key is waaaay more user friendly. Another very annoying thing is that when I try to change some notes and for example replace one half note for a quarter note the rest automatically changes for things I don't want. I wan to be in control of what I write, I don't want Dorico to think for me and complete the staff with what it things it should be. Please implement this in the future.

[@scuddy7743]

Having a look at Dorico for school pupils who could access it at home. The free copy is very attractive and a definite benefit over Sibelius which we currently use. I had abandoned my plans for Dorico after exploring it myself but will give it another go after this very clear video. Thank you.

[@RK-sp2tk]

My set up :- Genos connected via USB-B to PC [green light flashes showing midi connectivity]. I do not hear the metronome intro either. PC :- 2 screens ; Screen 1 :- Dorico ; Screen 2 : the above tutorial coming through PC speakers. I don't hear any sound coming back from thje Genos [or the metronome]. It does now create the sheet music [don't know why it didn't earlier], however what is obvious, it is ignoring the split [60 and checked]. All notes are on the Bass cleff Please advise.

[@Brett.Williams365]

Hello. Great video, thanks. One question: Is it possible to turn off midi note input when my device is connected to a midi keyboard? I have been using Dorico on my iPad along with AUM but am getting a lot of interference as Dorico appears to automatically be receiving midi notes. I only want to input midi notes into AUM and not Dorico, using Dorico for music reading only.

[@LenGangi]

I've been using Guitar Pro to write and record my music but I've found Dorico to be much better. More features and more intuitive saving me a significant amount of time. Good tutorials as well. I was about to give up on Steinberg but Dorico has made me change my mind.

[@silaspfeifer]

I didnt try Guitar Pro, but the Tabbing is not really intuitive, especially the string selection is a hassle i think.

[@josefernandoelias3164]

Nice to see "the voice of Dorico". Your Videos are great. Anthony. Thank You so much! So, my question: how can I create Worksheets in Do. ? Best,

[@RafaelVargasdePrado]

Nice

[@kennethjackson4858]

Sorry, also, I’m using Logic. Is that a problem or do I change daws?

[@jimivy6019]

I really want to try Dorico, but it only seems to work on Windows and Mac computers.

[@dorico]

or iPad, yes.

[@paulcopeland]

Cool video

[@crcchevalier-qb2sd]

Seems great. How or where do I get a midi key board? Amazon? Can you suggest a link?

[@dorico]

MIDI keyboards are available from most music shops (and online) and it's more about finding one that's the right size for you - too many to recommend!

[@daciansolgenrelaxationmusi4145]

how do I change the midi channel number for each instrument??

[@dorico]

If you expand an instrument in Play mode you can set the endpoint (MIDI or VST) and slot/channel etc.

[@ericvancleave5756]

Hello! at 8:05 on the video, I see a toggle to change the split point on grand staff instruments. However, that option isn't available on my version. Is this available with a full version of the software?

[@dorico]

It's now automatic so the switch isn't there anymore.

[@gastonduroc201]

To date, I am an experienced user of the Logic pro X partition editor ... I have been discovering the trial version of Dorico for a day. First of all, thank you for offering us this trial possibility. Congratulations on your work. The first suggestion that I allow myself to make to you is to propose in the future the choice of the appearance and the color of the partition ... The white that you offer is dazzling for eyes of a certain age. An option with "parchment" aspect for example would be very appreciated. In any case, you have made a good environmental effort with the "dark" option. I look forward to your next update on this point. Cordially.

[@ednafrench6269]

I’m 80 years old and always select parchment when it is available. This I a great program and the tutorials turn it from challenging to intuitive. Thanks.

[@kennethjackson4858]

I subscribed to your channel. It seems like Dorico is the notation to use. But I have a question. Learning orchestration on my own and learning using Hollywood orchestral edition opus. Can Dorico sink with this library?

[@dorico]

We don't have a playback template (our term) to use that library automatically yet. You could ask on the dorico.com/forum to see if anybody in the community has made a start on this already.

[@abz124816]

What is the purpose of setting up a project? Why not create folders on your drive and save all music associated with that folder into it?

[@dorico]

A project in Dorico is just what we call a Dorico file. One Dorico file can contain multiple scores as well as parts. The 'project' might just be one piece, but it could be multiple movements, ideas, sections to make a worksheet or even one project of multiple pieces e.g. for a book.

[@argopete]

Product looks great. Just one query on import from XML or Midi. it calls track 0 Piano 1 and track 1 Piano 2 even though the track 1 is simply the Bass Clef for the only piano. Before I splash out on elements I need to know if Merge will fix this issue. Unfortunately there is no email support that one can send demo track or request to from Australia

[@playandteach]

Hi, just starting out to explore this for my school with the view to changing over from Sibelius. I'm working my way through stuff (such as no idea what a 'flow' is yet), but there are a couple of things I find awkward: I'd like to be able to put a rest in. For example just to be able to click a semibreve rest in a piano part, and tell it to start the bar with a crotchet rest, or a quaver rest - my students often start like that before inputting notes. I also agree that adding the Key note name to the key signatures is a simple confirmation for students: they pick the key often by knowing a couple of chords or patterns that fit under their hand - so they'd know C minor by chord shape and construction, and it's nice for them to quickly select the right key signature. What is better, though, is that the key name pops up above the part. Deletion of bars is also nice and easy (I'll have to wait to see if it is too easy!)

[@dorico]

You don't really need to worry about putting in rests - it's quicker just to put the notes in and let Dorico worry about the rests. You can however if you really want to (there's a rest button in the LH panel in Write mode and a shortcut for it of course).

[@officialnoslenj]

Well, I just purchased the crossgrade today. Been with Finale since the late 90s. I am scared to death. Why? Because I know FInale like the back of my hand. I can use it in my sleep. But, I have been frustrated with Finale for years. After numerous emails and calls, it doesn't look like they are ever going to address any of my concerns. A friend suggested Dorico, and I couldn't turn down the crossgrade deal. Oh well, here we go!

[@BijuRaju]

I am unable to record MIDI notes on both the staves while using the Grand Staff. I am using Komplete Kontrol S49 and I have set split at 24 on the preferences. It records all the notes on the treble clef only

[@jessicapsalmist8205]

What's the name of your MIDI keyboard, please? thanks

[@dorico]

That keyboard is the Yamaha Reface CP uk.yamaha.com/en/products/music_production/synthesizers/reface/reface_cp.html - battery or mains powered, USB connection of course, built-in speakers and looks great - I love mine!

[@peterjelley9607]

Can you audition notes with the mouse prior to dropping them into place? You can do this with Sibelius, not hearing it here with Dorico. Or click, drag and drop with the left mouse button for notes that have been entered in the wrong position. Not hearing this either.

[@pmadamson]

Are you Peter Jelley as in Burnley Music Festival.?

[@theoooms7277]

looks great, is it possible to export (parts of) the score into a word processor?

[@danielgreen4484]

Can I import a song via a thumb drive and then edit in Dorico SE?

[@dorico]

You can import MIDI or MusicXML from thumb drive/cloud etc yes. There is a two-player limit though, so your MIDI file can only have two tracks. For more than that you might want to try Dorico Elements (12 players) or Pro (unlimited), which you could do in the trial version to give it a go.

[@danielgreen4484]

@@dorico Terrific! Thanks so much!

[@flutefury]

I can't figure out how to change a pitch that I previously put in. I've been using Sibelius for twenty years now and find it easy to use and fast. This Doric, is extremely difficult to understand, slow as heck to input with either mouse or keyboard and I hate that I can't see the music at playback. Also, it seems so difficult how to find out how to do a simple forced page turn! In Sibelius, I just select the barline and that's it. You might want to find someone who is just starting to learn this program to rewrite the help section, which seems totally unhelpful.

[@dorico]

You can select a barline, although you'll want to be in Engrave mode and then press Shift-S for a system break or Shift-F for a frame break. There's also a 'casting off' option if you want a regular 4-bars per system type of option in Layout Options steinberg.help/dorico/v1/en/dorico/topics/engrave_mode/engrave_mode_casting_off_systems_per_frame_fixing_t.html#engrave_mode_casting_off_systems_per_frame_fixing_t

[@riavandintel]

Can dorico add cords for accordeon music?

[@chekadsarami4288]

how do you have your piano roll spread vertically across at 8:50?

[@avishay100000]

how to customize rehearsal marks?

[@WldHny1]

Can .xml documents be imported in the Dorico SE?

[@costinnovac6092]

I;m interested if Dorico can made gutar tabs. Still i can't manage to hear anything in Dorico despite proper setup of HaLion.

[@dorico]

Yes, Dorico now supports guitar tab (we have other videos on this). If you can't hear anything you might want to try our troubleshooting video too.

[@jacopofiastri]

BRAVO! Very clear and synthetic... Please, remove the live presentation one hour long by the other guy! :o)))

[@goreybeydagi]

May I ask a question? Is there an option to invert the score page while writing? Whole GUI is great as Cubase 10. If there is a chance to invert score page, it will be increase my workflow. Thank you :)

[@dorico]

Do you mean turn 90 degrees? If your monitor supports this then you can use Dorico in portrait mode.

[@goreybeydagi]

@@dorico No; I just want to invert color scheme of the score page, white symbols and staff on a dark background. Can I set Dorico SE or Dorice like that?

[@dorico]

@@goreybeydagi oh I see - no, unfortunately you can't do that at the moment in any version of Dorico, sorry.

[@ohsusanna9991]

I'm totally new but entranced with Dorico. Do you have Ukulele chords yet?

[@dorico]

Yes, Ukulele chords and tab are now supported.

[@pmadamson]

Can you play in with an audio interface ? i.e Direct non midi keyboard.

[@dorico]

You need to use a MIDI device, even if it's a microphone or other audio device that converts the audio to MIDI - Dorico doesn't do that conversion.

[@pmadamson]

@@dorico Thank you for replying. I don't know if my audio devices are midi or not. I have a Zoom R24 which has several keyboards and guitars on the inputs and Zoom tell you how to connect to a computer but doesn't mention these instruments have to be midi. I certainly will not be upgrading my guitars with midi equipment so I m not sure this will be the right software for me.

[@dorico]

@@pmadamson The Zoom R24 doesn't have options to convert audio to MIDI. Dorico's primary purpose is to create sheetmusic, the Zoom R24 is designed just to record the audio. Most MIDI keyboards (and many other instruments) can connect directly to your computer via USB though and can then be used with Dorico. Hope that helps.

[@pmadamson]

@@dorico So if I can get Cubase to work could I record directly to that and then transfer a midi file to Dorico or is it the same problem as Dorico.

[@pmadamson]

I suppose I could just buy a midi controller or a different package if they don't have the same problems. I wish someone would come up with a package like the early Cubase where you could just play it in, flick a switch called INT and then get a really good manuscript and sequencer all in one with a graphic that looked like a Multi-track recorder. I did write to Steinberg years ago before Dorico was released and they said it was on the way and just what I was looking for. Not sure now if it will not allow non midi connections or just accept Pensioners are not included in modern tech.(LOL)

[@HuubClaessens]

I finished a lead sheet, but im spending hours now trying to put a title on top of the song. After typing the title i want to wrap it up and the the title is gone. Help!!!

[@dorico]

You can add the title and other details in the File > Project Info dialog

[@DavidHughesss]

3:27 - this is a music notation question rather than a question about the software itself, but why is that written as two tied quarter notes rather than a single half note? I don't understand what the difference is. Thanks!

[@dorico]

There are Notation Options for whether you want a half note or two quarter notes (depending on the meter and what else is in the bar) as well as an override (force duration) option. The difference is that it's common in 4/4 to rhythmically show the 'middle' of the bar.

[@DavidHughesss]

@@dorico Thank you for getting back to me, you've been very helpful. (And these tutorial videos are very well made and presented.) One of my reasons for experimenting with Dorico is that I'm trying to get to grips with reading and writing music in traditional music notation better; I tend to use Ableton Live user for most of my work, but I am often hampered by my inability to read music at anything other than a snail's pace. I've only been using Dorico for a day or so, and I've already got to the point where I feel like I can be reasonably productive, whereas the other software that I've tried (Sibelius and MuseScore - good though they are) tended to be not as intuitive as I would have liked. Thanks again for all your hard work.

[@edcoleman4060]

I've had about three hours on Elements; I am determined to persevere but this is much harder than I thought to transition from Sibelius. There are many Sibelius users using the R key, the key pad and the arrow keys - that was suits me too. I can live with shortcuts but the arrow keys have a different effect. I have never used the carat in Sibelius, now I have to. The other major drawback is changing notes. In Sibelius you can just use the arrow keys and the keypad. I'm struggling to edit notes (why is a note coloured if you cannot do anything with it??). Very frustrating. I am having to constantly toggle between shift and n (carat) and escape to make any changes and still cannot use the arrow keys to change a pitch. Finally wrong octave!!!! Arrow keys, no can't be done

[@dorico]

In Sibelius the arrow keys select with left/right and change pitch with up/down. Not exactly consistent. In Dorico the arrow keys select things and you can move them (pitch) with alt-up/down and move them (rhythmically) with alt-left/right. R still works to repeat a selection. Please don't say you are pressing R and then changing the pitch... that's a really slow method?! Just type the letter of the pitch you want (in either program) or use a MIDI keyboard.

[@edcoleman4060]

@@dorico Yup R and escape with left hand, arrow keys and little finger with right hand. Teach all my pupils this way after finding other teachers did the same. Grown up with it after 15+ years. I'm a first study pianist who doesn't use a midi keyboard - usually so slow. I can produce scores very quickly this way. Anything requiring a movement of the hand is slower than the fingers. Oh and copy and paste as much as possible with all the short cuts. I'll persevere but I think you've missed a trick - I seem to be making more hand movements, more two key presses than I have ever done before, and I haven't found the quickest way of tidying up. I tried entering a simple score and the moment I make a mistake in the input I'm rather lost! The video doesn't explain making changes, at least haven't got to that yet. Who would play in unless - as you demonstrate - all the notes are equal length and/or simple rhythm? If they are I would not play to a metronome, just set the note value and press the keys. Finally - what is the point of a note being yellow if you cannot do anything with it? Am I missing something?

[@dorico]

@@edcoleman4060 sounds like you might be. When a note is orange you can edit it (unless you have the caret still on)? Maybe email me some examples (this is John and you have my address already). Really, don't use R and move notes up and down even in Sibelius... madness... "I'd like to move a note by more than a diatonic interval... up... up... up.." - so slow...?!

[@donnabradford7474]

Can’t change pitch! Can’t add chords! Can’t do a pickup. Need more tutorials

[@dorico]

Did you watch all the tutorials in this series? kzbin.info/www/bejne/goewcn15f95_l9k There is also a quick 'getting started' and a longer 'first steps' guide available here if that would be useful dorico.com/resources

[@ohsusanna9991]

Ukulele chords and tab?

[@dorico]

Yes, Ukulele chords and tab are now supported.

[@russellaustincomposer1664]

I want SE but after trying several times I have not received the email with the link - so come on Anthony - send me the download link !

[@dorico]

Hi Russell. Please get in touch with me (John) on [e-mail] and we'll sort this out for you.

[@IchSpieleGitarre]

Dorico is a joke. For over 500 francs and then you have to pick up and insert any additional files somewhere, so that the instrument names are in German and the keyboard layout is changed to Switzerland...

[@dorico]

You don't need to insert additional files. The instrument names language can be changed at the start of a project in the Engraving Options > Language section. I don't believe we have a Swiss keyboard layout by default, but you can change the shortcuts (called Key Commands) to make things work better for your keyboard if you wish.

[@ClarkdeLeon]

too much set up. not a fan.

[@dissdad8744]

Please add a alphabetical readout for the key signature. Most newbie composers can not read the key symbols when they start out!

[@gastonduroc201]

Beginners in music theory may have great interest in buying a small book of elementary theory ... Sorry to seem a little elitist. What interest to use Dorico if we do not have a minimum of basic knowledge beforehand? ... On You tube you will find these concepts explained. Make yourself a memory aid. Why clutter this software with that sort of thing?

[@HaliPuppeh]

@@gastonduroc201 I agree. I wouldn't dream of calling myself a composer if I didn't have a handle on the most rudimentary theory like key signatures, time signatures, clefs, etc.

[@dissdad8744]

@@gastonduroc201 Not elitist at all, just stupid and naive. Many hits were produced by people who (at least according to your judgement) "do not have a minimum of basic knowledge" - if you believe that the ability to interpret musical notation is what defines "basic knowledge". Most music is not written in musical notation today, but actually in the piano lane of a MIDI capable digital audio workstation software. You sound extremely unknowledgable, to say the least, but I guess it feels good with a huge chip on your shoulder saying "I can interpret musical notation, therefore I'm better than those who can't". What a fool, please remove yourself, you are dismissed.

[@gastonduroc201]

@@dissdad8744 You are right, there are lots of tools to record music without necessarily knowing how to read a score ... or needing a score statement ... The piano rolls of the different Daws allow on the other hand 'arrange at noon and "compose". I am actually a bit naive to think that Dorico, which is above all an orthodox musical notation software, is not really adapted to the expectations of a different and more intuitive approach to music. (Django Reinhardt did not know music theory and was indeed an excellent musician) ... The traditional Daws are perfectly suited to your musical approach ... Personally I love Logic Pro X ... (which also has a good score editor). Reaper has one too! Dorico is an extremely complete and specialized musical layout software for tasks that requires a minimum knowledge of musical notation.

[@nao1999]

Logic pro X is much better...

[@FocusMrbjarke]

That’s not a notation software lol