5. How to use the fonts

Having installed Bach font, you can now use it. There are four ways to insert musical symbols in your application:

  1. Use Windows' Character map (charmap.exe) to select the symbol(s) and copy/paste into your document.
  2. Use application's (e.g. Word) own symbol insert routine. In Microsoft Word, click on "Insert" on the menu, and choose "Symbol.."
  3. Type symbols directly from your keyboard, and apply Bach font on the inserted symbol. If the symbols are not keyboard accessible, type 4-digit ANSI code of the symbol on the numeric keypad while holding down ALT key.
  4. Use macro programs which will be explained below.

Installing macros in Microsoft Word

I have created 13 micro programs which facilitate the use of Bach font in your Microsoft Word, as described later. Here is a brief instruction of how to install them.

Word 2003 (and earlier versions)

  1. Run your Microsoft Word.
  2. From the menu bar, select TOOLS, and choose MACRO, then MACROS. A new pop-up window will open.
  3. The window prompts you to give a new name for your macro. Type "Bach_font", and click on the "Create" button.
  4. Microsoft Visual Basic will open. Now, click here to display the macro text in a new web browser window: COPY and PASTE the entire contents of this macro program into your Word's macro window.
  5. Save the macro and exit Visual Basic program. You have completed the installation in your word, and ready to use the macro.

Word 2007/2010

  1. Run your Microsoft Word.
  2. From the menu bar, select VIEW, and choose "Macros", then "View Macros". A new pop-up window will open.
  3. The window prompts you to give a new name for your macro. Type "Bach_font", and click on the "Create" button.
  4. Microsoft Visual Basic will open. Now, click here to display the macro text in a new web browser window: COPY and PASTE the entire contents of this macro program into your Word's macro window.
  5. Save the macro and exit Visual Basic program. You have completed the installation in your word, and ready to use the macro.

Assigning Keyboard Shortcuts

In order to gain quick access to the macros, it is highly recommended that you will assign a speed-key to each macro. I suggest the following speed-key:

 
Macro name Speed key combination Brief description of the macro
Bach_symbol_editor ALT + M Quickly constructs musical patterns
Bach_ornament_compiler ALT + O Quickly constructs ornaments
Bach_font CTRL + F1 Apply Bach font for selected text
Bach_up3down CTRL + F2, F1 Lower the note-head position by 3rd.
Bach_up2down CTRL + F2, F2 Lower the note-head position by 2nd.
Bach_restore CTRL + F2, F3 Restore Bach symbol to default (BACH4.TTF)
Bach_up2up CTRL + F2, F4 Raise the note-head position by 2nd.
Bach_up3up CTRL + F2, F5 Raise the note-head position by 3rd.
Bach_down3lower CTRL + F3, F1 Reverse stem direction, and lower the note-head position by 3rd.
Bach_down2lower CTRL + F3, F2 Reverse stem direction, and lower the note-head position by 2nd
Bach_down CTRL + F3, F3 Reverse stem direction, and the note-head is positioned in the middle.
Bach_down2higher CTRL + F3, F4 Reverse stem direction, and raise the note-head position by 2nd.
Bach_down3higher CTRL + F3, F5 Reverse stem direction, and raise the note-head position by 3rd

To assign these speed keys, follow the steps below:

Word 2000 (and earlier versions)

  1. Click TOOLS from the menu bar again, and select CUSTOMIZE. You will see a new pop-up window called "Customize".
  2. Select "Commands" tab, and click on "Keyboard" button. A new pop-up window "Customize Keyboard" will appear.
  3. Now, pull-down the options called "Categories" and find "Macros". Click it. You will see all the macros in the other pull-down window.
  4. To register a keyboard shortcut to a macro, you first select the macro, and activate with your mouse pointer the field called "Press new shortcut key". To register "Bach_down", for example, hold down CTRL key, and press F3 twice.
  5. Press "Assign" button to complete the registration. Repeat this process for all the Bach macros.
  6. When you finished registering all the macros, click on "Close" buttons to return to editing screen.

Word 2002 and 2003

  1. Click TOOLS from the menu bar again, and select CUSTOMIZE. You will see a new pop-up window called "Customize".
  2. Click on "Keyboard" button, which is located towards the bottom of the window. A new pop-up window "Customize Keyboard" will appear.
  3. Now, pull-down the options called "Categories" and scroll down to find "Macros". Click it. You will see all the macros in the other pull-down window.
  4. To register a a keyboard shortcut to a macro, you first select the macro, and activate with your mouse pointer the field called "Press new shortcut key". To register "Bach_down", for example, hold down CTRL key, and press F3 twice.
  5. Press "Assign" button to complete the registration. Repeat this process for all the Bach macros.
  6. When you finished registering all the macros, click on "Close" buttons to return to editing screen.

Word 2007

  1. Click "Office Button" (a round icon on the top-left corner), and click "Word Options" which is located towards the bottom of the window. Select CUSTOMIZE on the menu (7th on the menu item). There you will see a button to "Customize" the Keyboard shortcuts towards the bottom of the window.
  2. Now, pull-down the options called "Categories" and scroll down to find "Macros". Click it. You will see all the macros in the other pull-down window.
  3. To register a a keyboard shortcut to a macro, you first select the macro, and activate with your mouse pointer the field called "Press new shortcut key". To register "Bach_down", for example, hold down CTRL key, and press F3 twice.
  4. Press "Assign" button to complete the registration. Repeat this process for all the Bach macros.
  5. When you finished registering all the macros, click on "Close" buttons to return to editing screen.

Word 2010

  1. Click "File" on the menu, and click "Options" which is located towards the bottom of the left pane of the window. Select "Customize Ribon" on the menu (8th on the menu item). There you will see a button to "Customize" the Keyboard shortcuts towards the bottom of the window.
  2. Now, pull-down the options called "Categories" and scroll down to find "Macros". Click it. You will see all the macros in the other pull-down window on the right.
  3. To register a a keyboard shortcut to a macro, you first select the macro, and activate with your mouse pointer the field called "Press new shortcut key". To register "Bach_down", for example, hold down CTRL key, and press F3 twice.
  4. Press "Assign" button to complete the registration. Repeat this process for all the Bach macros.
  5. When you finished registering all the macros, click on "Close" buttons to return to editing screen.

Using Macros

Hit 'Ctrl+F1' to apply Bach font

The most common symbols are accidentals, which you can type normally: #, @ (flat), $ (natural). Select the character, and press CTRL-F1 will convert them into musical symbols.

Run "Music Symbol Converter"

The macro "Bach_symbol_editor" is a very powerful program. You can type simple, meaningful combination of key-strokes to compile a very complex set of symbols (click the following links for examples -- complete page, magnified view). Try calling this macro by pressing ALT+O, and typed "====", which will generate a neatly combined beamed semiquavers.

Alter the vertical position of note-heads

Once beamed symbols are typed in, you can then alter the position of note-heads to alter the pitch patterns or stem directions. Remember, up-stem symbols are accessed from CTRL + F2, and the down-stem symbols are from CTRL + F3. You can flip between them with ease while holding down CTRL key with your left hand, and hit F1 ~ F5 with your right hand.

A few further quick tips:

Bach 4 is difficult to use, but very powerful. Your efforts will be amply rewarded!

Last updated on 19 August 2012