Inputting vertical lines

You can input vertical lines on existing notes using the Lines panel, including across notes in multiple voices and on different staves that belong to the same instrument, such as piano or harp.

Note

  • If you want to input vertical lines to represent arpeggios, you can instead input arpeggio signs directly.

  • You can only input one vertical line at a time.

  • These steps describe inputting with the default mouse input preference Create item at selection.

    You cannot create cross-staff and cross-voice vertical lines if your preference is set to Load pointer with item.

Prerequisite

You have created any custom vertical lines you want to input.

Procedure

  1. In Write mode, select at least one note at the same rhythmic position in each voice to which you want to add a vertical line.
    Note

    • For instruments with multiple staves, such as piano and harp, you can select existing notes on multiple staves to create cross-staff vertical lines. However, you cannot create cross-staff vertical lines between different instruments, even if they are held by the same player.

    • Vertical lines are added to all notes in the selected voices at the selected rhythmic position.

  2. In the Notations toolbox, click Lines to show the Lines panel.
  3. In the Vertical section, click the line you want.

Result

The vertical line specified is input to the left of the selected notes. Its length is adjusted automatically so that it spans the range of all notes in the selected voices/staves at that rhythmic position.

After Completing This Task

  • You can change the order of lines when multiple exist at the same rhythmic position and show vertical lines on the right of notes.

  • You can lengthen/shorten vertical lines.

  • You can add text to lines.