Using this tutorial you will encounter a few basic elements you need to get you engraving music as quick as possible.
When you're moving the mouse over buttons you will see a description being shown on the status line at the bottom of the main window. In many cases a shortcut is shown between angle-brackets like this <F1> for function key F1. If you hold the mouse for a moment a hint-window will popup as well.
Create a new tune using <ctrl-N>, [File|New] or (notice that there are often 3 possibilities: shortcut, menu and button). Enter a key and meter, and select the type of tune you like to create (use [Part|1 Part Treble Clef]) You are put in edit mode by now:
You can insert the note B by just hitting <Enter> (the cursor was at the middle B-position)
By hitting <> or <> you move the cursor up and down the staff to select a new insert position. (note that the cursor will change to a circle)
Hit <Backspace> and see the last inserted note be removed.
Click on button to choose 1/8 as default duration, and hit <Enter> until you see a bar line added.. Notice that flags and/or value lines added where necessary. Bar lines are added when a measure is 'full'.
Press <> and view the cursor moving through the melody. <> alike.
Use <F7> <F8> to divide or multiply duration by two, resulting in shorter or longer notes.
Hit <F6> and then <F5>. A lengthening dot appears and disappears again.
Use <r> <R> and again <R> Now you know how to enter a rest, and to change a rest into a note an vice versa.
Click on the second note (to position the cursor) and then . Choose a bar line to your liking. You see how an upbar is entered.
Click on the arrow near "chord-symbols" and choose 'Lyrics 1". Move the cursor to the third note and key in the text: "This is text" followed by <Enter> to signal you're done typing. This is a way to produce lyrics with your tune.
Your screen should look like displayed below by now.
When you hit a key unintentionally, most of the
time an unwanted action will take place.
Don't worry. MusiCAD is quite forgiving in making mistakes...
Just hit <ctrl-z> or <alt-Backspace> or and the previous situation is revealed (undo).
Hit <space> or to hear what you've entered so far.
When you are done editing you hit the edit button or <Esc>. MusiCAD will verify your tune as keyed in so far, and display a page preview.