Get the answers to your Notate questions below
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us at Figurenotes@DrakeMusicScotland.org
How does it work?
We have lots of video tutorials to help you use Notate. Take a look through to learn how to create your own scores.
How do I set up an account?
- Click the yellow ‘Go to Notate’ button in the top right of your screen. Alternatively, select ‘Go to Notate’ from the Notate menu at the top of the page.
- We recommend using Chrome to access Notate.
- If prompted, enter your details. We need your mobile/cell number to send access codes. Numbers should be entered with no gaps or hyphens.
- If you are outside of the UK, please include your international dialling code. For example, +1 will be at the start of a US phone number.
- You will receive a verification email. This may end up in your junk folder. Follow the instructions, and you’ll be ready to log in.
What are the system requirements?
A computer connected to the internet. Notate is optimized for Chrome. Other browsers such as Safari may support Notate.
Why do you need my phone number?
We use 2FA (two factor authentication) for security reasons. You will be sent a code to verify that it is you who is trying to access the software.
Which stages of Figurenotes notation can I create?
- Notate can create scores in stage 1 (notes in a line) and stage 2 (notes on a stave). Press the esc key to flip between stages in Notate.
- To create stage 3 notation, you will need to use the Musescore plugins. These are available within the MuseScore plugin library.
- Dorico software also has the Figurenotes colours preset as an option.
Can I use Notate without an internet connection?
No. You must be connected to the internet to use Notate.
For access to your scores offline you will need to export files from your songbank or Save As PDF from the print pop up box.
Where are my scores saved?
Your scores are saved within your account. Go to ‘open’ a file and you’ll see all your pieces within your library. You can then open, export, duplicate, edit, or extract individual parts.
Will files made on the old Figurenotes software work in Notate?
Yes, you can import files made on the old Figurenotes software and they will open in Notate. Notate accepts .xml, .midi, and .fgn files.
Where can I find information on the old Figurenotes software?
The old downloadable Figurenotes software for Windows and Mac is no longer available and is likely to stop working as you update your computer in the future. We recommend you sign up to Notate software, as there is no longer support for the old version.
Some colours on my score aren't showing up. What should I do?
Ensure you have background graphics enabled before printing or saving as PDF. To enable this, navigate to the print button in the top left-hand corner, or use the shortcut cmd P for mac or ctrl P for PC. Then go to more settings and check the background graphics button. You can now print or save as PDF.
How do I save my scores as PDFs?
Click the print icon in the top right-hand corner or use the shortcut cmd P for mac or ctrl P for PC. This will open up a print preview section. Under destination, select save as PDF.
Ensure you have background graphics enabled. To enable this, go to more settings and check the background graphics button.
How do I print my scores?
- Click the print icon in the top right-hand corner or use the shortcut cmd P for mac or ctrl P for PC. This willopen up a print preview section.
- Ensure you have background graphics enabled. To enable this, go to more settings and check the background graphics button.
- Depending on how your printer is set up, it may not print through this menu. If this is the case, navigate up to destination and select save as PDF. You can now open the saved PDF and print from there.
My lyrics aren't showing. What should I do?
- Click on the grey arrow in the top left-hand corner of your score. This opens the song set up menu. Ensure the “hide lyrics box when printing” is unchecked.
- It’s also worth checking the view menu > hide/show to check that ‘hide lyrics” function is not selected.