Shortcuts & Gestures

Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

Entering Tab Mode

ActionShortcut
Enter Tab ModeDouble-click on a staff
Exit Tab ModeEscape or click outside
ShortcutAction
Left / RightMove between beats
Up / DownMove between strings (tab) or pitches
TabAdvance to next beat (creates one at end)
Cmd + Left / RightJump to start / end of measure
Cmd + Up / DownMove between tracks

Note Input (Tablature)

ShortcutAction
0–9Enter fret number
XEnter dead note
DeleteRemove note (or empty beat)

Note Input (Standard Staff)

ShortcutAction
0Enter note at cursor pitch
1Flat
2Natural
3Sharp

Note Input (Drums)

ShortcutAction
0Bass Drum
1Hi-Hat (Closed)
2Snare
3Ride
4Hi-Hat (Open)
5Side Stick
6Low Tom
7Crash
8High Tom
9Mid Tom

Duration

ShortcutAction
+ / -Increase / decrease note duration
. (dot/comma)Toggle dotted note

Playback

ShortcutAction
SpacePlay / Stop

Dialogs

ShortcutAction
Cmd + KChord Name
Cmd + Shift + KChord Diagram
Cmd + Shift + TTime Signature
Cmd + IDocument Info

Layout

ShortcutAction
ReturnInsert system break at current measure

iOS Touch Gestures

Score Navigation

GestureAction
SwipeScroll through the score
PinchZoom in and out
Tap on rack trackSwitch active track

Entering Tab Mode

GestureAction
Double-tap on staffEnter Tab Mode at that position
Tap outside the staffExit Tab Mode

Editing

GestureAction
Tap a beatSelect it (in Tab Mode)
Drag across beatsSelect a range
Long pressOpen context menu

Cursor Joystick

On iPad, a virtual joystick appears in the bottom-left corner during Tab Mode. Drag it to move the cursor between beats and strings without using a keyboard.

iOS Tools

The tools palette appears when Tab Mode is active, with two rows of buttons — notation tools on top and score operations below — providing the same editing tools available on Mac. In portrait mode on iPhone, a compact input bar provides quick access to note duration and fret entry. The rack appears as a popup sheet on compact screens.