As mentioned previously in other posts, I use Sibelius as a notation software. I like it for it's ease of use, but not everything is cut and dry with the program. For example,
these are "beat slashes". Sibelius doesn't seem to call them anything, but thanks to a quick internet search, I stumbled upon a handout from an IAJE conference in 2007 that describes jazz rhythm section notation (thank you, Tom Rudolph). You can find it here, along with a host of other helpful guides.
So, let's go through the process of making these little beauties in Sibelius:
1.
Create the rhythm you want the instrument to do. In 4/4 time, 4 quarter notes would be common, so that's what we have here.
2.
Make sure the "Properties" window is open (Window > Properties). It has a header of "No Selection" because a measure hasn't been selected to alter. When you do select one, it will say "Edit Passage"- which is weird that it doesn't just say "Properties". In the image, it's the menu window on the left side. Select "notes" from that drop down menu.
3.
Select the measure you'd like to convert to beat slashes and then select #3 from the dropdown menu in notes.
4.
Your notes will instantly convert!
Well, that was easy, right?
Sure, if you have foreknowledge of what to do, but finding this stuff in Sibelius is a real pain at times. You can search the help menu all day, but if you don't know what to call them in the first place, you might as well go swimming with sharks.
A little help Avid?
Well, I guess that's why I'm studying this stuff.
Hey listen, Godspeed. We're making headway and that's nothing to smirk at!
Keep moving forward!