IWBNI, with the speedy entry tool, it were possible to specify pitches by using the letter keys A, B, C, D, E, F and G on the computer keyboard. As it is now, on a QWERTY keyboard, pitches are specified by using the following keys:
 
 

Pitch	Key on QWERTY Keyboard
	Octave N-1	Octave N	Octave N+1
C	z	a	q
D	x	s	w
E	c	d	e
F	v	f	r
G	b	g	t
A	n	h	y
B	m	j	u

The keys 'I', 'K' and ',' are used to specify the octave number N as the octave that contains the C below middle C, middle C, or the C above middle C, respectively.

With this feature, there would be a natural relationship between a given pitch and the name of the key that must be pressed to select the pitch.

This could be implemented by adding a menu item called Use Pitch Name Letter Keys to the Speedy menu. If this menu item is not selected, pitches would be specified as in the current version of Finale using the 24 keys: Z, X, C, V, B, N, M, A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K, Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I and ','. If this menu item is selected, these 24 keys would have the following meaning:
 
 

Key on QWERTY Keyboard	Meaning
A	Move crossbar vertically to nearest A.
B	Move crossbar vertically to nearest B.
C	Move crossbar vertically to nearest C.
D	Move crossbar vertically to nearest D.
E	Move crossbar vertically to nearest E.
F	Move crossbar vertically to nearest F.
G	Move crossbar vertically to nearest G.
W	Move crossbar up by one octave.
X	Move crossbar down by one octave.
Z, V, N, M, S, H, J, Q, R, T, Y, U, I, K and ','	Unused keys to which new functions could be assigned.

With this option selected, all pitch information (except accidentals which would be entered using the '+' and '-' keys) could be specified by using the keys: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, W and X, all of which are accessed by the left hand when touch typing. The right hand could be used for number keys, arrow keys and the other keys on the numeric keypad.

Note: Throughout this suggestion the keys on the computer keyboard have been identified by using the keys on a QWERTY keyboard layout. On a AZERTY keyboard layout (e.g. French or Belgian), the Z key (instead of the W key) would be used to move the crossbar up by one octave.

Created: May 9, 2000 (based on a submission from Jean Lespinasse)
Last Updated: May 9, 2000
Version: Finale 2000b