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Keyboard commands

Keyboard shortcuts that don't involve the command key:


Up Arrow Move selected notes or rests up one line or space.
Down Arrow Move selected notes or rests down one staff line or space.
For items like the fermata that are not tied to a staff line position, these move them up or down one point (in both cases the item can also be dragged by the arrow cursor).
Left Arrow Nudge selected item left one point (or drag it using arrow cursor).
Right Arrow Nudge selected item right one point (or drag it using arrow cursor).

spacebar Pauses or unpauses play if music is playing.
< Lowers keyboard an octave if possible.
> Raises keyboard an octave if possible.

(*On Windows computers the Alt key normally serves as the "Option key" for Ars Nova products, but unfortunately on Windows the Alt key blocks the arrow keys so for these combinations using arrow keys you must use CapsLock instead of Alt).

The numbers below refer to the number keys above the letter keyboard (not the ones on a number pad).
1 Change current note or rest cursor to whole note/rest.
2 Change current note or rest cursor to half note/rest.
3 Change current note or rest cursor to quarter note/rest.
4 Change current note or rest cursor to eighth note/rest.
5 Change current note or rest cursor to sixteenth note/rest.
6 Change current note or rest cursor to thirty-second note/rest.
7 Change current note or rest cursor to sixty-fourth note/rest.
Adding Shift to above numbers Adds a dot.
Adding Option to above numbers Toggles between notes and rests.
"\" key Unselects current tool and returns to the Arrow Cursor.

Keyboard shortcuts that use the command key:

These shortcuts are invoked by holding down the command key (crtl key if on a Windows computer) and pressing the indicated letter.

We'll display the letters here as capitals just to make them easier to read - you don't need to hold down the shift key unless specified.

Command-A Select All in the current staff/layer/track. See selecting items for more information.
Command-B Beam selected notes.
Command-C Copy selected notes.
Command-D Toggle the stem direction.
Command-E Hear (think hEar) the music.
Command-. (command-period) Stop play.
Command-I Show information window for selected item.
Command-N New music file.
Command-O Open music file.
Command-P Print.
Command-Q Quit to the start screen, or quit program if viewing the start screen.
Command-S Save music file.
Command-V Paste previously copied or cut items.
Command-X Cut selected items.
Command-Y (Windows) or command-shift-Z (Mac) Redo
Command-Z Undo.


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