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How to Do Cut Out Scores in Sibelius 5

Cut-out notation is a style of engraving that attempts to graphically represent the aural experience of a work of music by omitting rests and using blank space to indicate silence. This method is employed in works that are proportionally notated, and sonic events are indicated by cues, such as Krzysztof Penderecki's "Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima" or George Crumb's "Ancient Voices of Children." Achieving this graphic effect in Sibelius, which is music composition and notation software, requires careful planning but results in dynamic, quality scores.

Things You'll Need

  • Access to digital art software or an Internet connection
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Instructions

    • 1

      Enter your score into Sibelius with all staffs and rests present. It is essential that your score be laid out fully before you begin to remove elements.

    • 2

      Select your entire score. Open the "Layout" drop-down menu, and scroll down to "Format;" select "Lock Format."

    • 3

      Open your art program, and create a simple white rectangle without a border. If you do not have an art program, it is easy to find an image online that meets the specifications. Once you have your image, format it as a TIFF file so you can import it into Sibelius.

    • 4

      In Sibelius, bring up the "Create" drop-down menu, and scroll down to "Graphic." You will be prompted to select a file; choose your rectangle TIFF. Your image will now be in your score window.

    • 5

      Drag your image over the portions of the score you wish to remove, and resize it using the handle on the bottom-right corner until it completely obscures the staff. Import more images as needed until you have covered every part of the score you wish to cut out.

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