Inputting notes into multiple voices

By default, notes are input into the first up-stem voice, as indicated by the symbol of an up-stem quarter note beside the caret. You can input notes directly into other voices during note input, and switch between voices as required.

You can also create new voices on staves with existing notes and input notes into those voices anywhere else on those staves.

Procedure

  1. In Write mode, select an item on the staff and at the rhythmic position where you want to input multiple voices.
  2. Press Shift-N to start note input.
  3. Select the voice into which you want to input notes in one of the following ways:
    • To input notes into a new voice, press Shift-V to create a new voice.

      When a new voice is added, a + sign appears beside the symbol of a quarter note beside the caret. The quarter note symbol indicates the stem direction, and the number beside the quarter note indicates the voice number if applicable.

      Figure 1. Caret when adding the first down-stem voice
      Tip

      You can press Shift-V as many times as you require. For example, on a staff containing no notes, creating one new voice allows you to input notes into the first down-stem voice, but you can also create another new voice immediately if you want to input notes into the second up-stem voice.

    • To input notes into an existing voice, press V until you reach the voice you want.

  4. Input the notes you want.
  5. Optional: Press V to cycle between all the active voices on the staff.
  6. Press Esc or Return to stop note input.

Result

Notes are input into new voices, as indicated by the caret indicator. They are input at the caret position or where you click. If you are inputting notes into a new voice on a staff that already contains notes in another voice, the stem directions of existing notes at the same rhythmic position change automatically as necessary.

The quarter note symbol beside the caret changes to indicate which voice is currently selected. Any notes input are input into the voice indicated by this symbol.

You can switch between voices as often as you like.

Note
  • If you have three or more voices on a single staff, you can only cycle through all the voices in a set order. For example, if you have two up-stem voices and two down-stem voices, the order is: first up-stem voice, first down-stem voice, second down-stem voice, second up-stem voice.

  • You can show voice colors to check which notes are in which voice. You can also identify voices by selecting individual notes and looking at the display in the status bar.

Example

Figure 2. Caret when inputting notes into the first up-stem voice
Figure 3. Caret when inputting notes into the first down-stem voice
Figure 4. Caret when inputting notes into a new, second up-stem voice