Adjusting the spacing of individual notes/items independently of their rhythmic positions

You can change the graphical position of notes according to their voice column, independently of their rhythmic positions. These steps also apply to certain notation items, such as key signatures, time signatures, and clefs.

Prerequisite

Note Spacing Note Spacing button is selected in the Engrave toolbox.

Procedure

  1. In Engrave mode, select the square note spacing handle at the rhythmic position of the note/item you want to move graphically.

    A circular handle appears beside each voice/item.

  2. Press Tab to select the circular handle.
  3. Move the handle in any of the following ways:

    • To move it a standard amount to the right or left, press Alt/Opt plus the corresponding arrow key. For example, press Alt/Opt-Left Arrow to move handles to the left.

    • To move it a large amount, press Ctrl/Cmd plus the standard key command; for example, Ctrl/Cmd-Alt/Opt-Left Arrow.

    • To move it a moderate amount, press Shift plus the standard key command; for example, Shift-Alt/Opt-Left Arrow.

    • To move it a small amount, press Ctrl/Cmd-Shift plus the standard key command; for example, Ctrl/Cmd-Shift-Alt/Opt-Left Arrow.

    Note

    You cannot move note spacing handles with the mouse, you can only move them using the keyboard.

Result

The graphical position of the selected note/item is changed without changing the note spacing of its rhythmic position. Other notes in the same voice column at the same rhythmic position are also moved.

System breaks are automatically inserted at the start/end of each system in which you adjusted the position of individual notes/items.

Example