how to keep melody line from changing note value when lyric lines have different numbers of syllables?
I've written a lullabye to frame and give as a gift. It's not a complete score, just a melody line with three verses and 3 choruses. The melody line with first verse works fine. However, some of the lyrics in verses 2 and 3 don't have exactly the same number of syllables. (When it is sung, the singer may have to use grace notes or triplets.) When I try to put spaces between the words, it alters the note values. The only way I can make it work is to runwordstogether (like that) to make them keep basic melody the same.
Is there a way to "freeze" the melody line so I could put spaces between the runtogether words?
How do I put the spaces in the currently run together words?
Can I stick in grace notes the score when they may only affect one verse? if so, how do I do it?
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Child of Promise Lullabye-draft (1).mscz | 28.17 KB |
Comments
In the attached file, I have shown a way to do this in measure 26.
I entered notes into voice 2 (see https://musescore.org/en/handbook/voices for an explanation). I then made the notes small using the chord section of the inspector. I also made them not play in the inspector. I then deleted the words that were squashedtogether and reentered them into verse 3 in voice 2 by first selecting a voice 2 note and pressing ctrl+L then pressing enter twice.
This is not the only way to allow for alternate words. I won't be surprised if you are given other alternatives.
In reply to In the attached file, I have… by mike320
Thanks for the quick response.I see your results, but I am tearing my hair out on this one. Can't seem to go back and forth between voice 1 and 2 without either words from other lines disappearing or notation changing. Then too there's the problem with "leavings" from quarter note rests in the same spot where notes should be. I try using the arrow that takes me back to the last change (over and over) till I get back to the beginning, but I can't seem to get to the beginning of voice 2 and start over fresh. Sigh. Will shut it down tonight and attack it again tomorrow.
In reply to Thanks for the quick… by Jan Johnston
Taking a break for the night it probably a good idea. In the morning start fresh. When you do, try to replicate what I did with my instructions, and read the section in the handbook on voices. It will help you understand how to enter the notes of different durations. The only things I didn't mention was that I selected the extra voice 2 rests and made them invisible, and I also selected the tie that will turn upside down and pressed x to fix it. Once you repeat what I did, you will start to understand how to do it yourself in similar situations.
In reply to Taking a break for the night… by mike320
Thanks for all this help. I will try learn how to use it with future projects, but since my time is short, I took the easy way out and had my music pastor help me notate it all in the first voice. (It just got too messy when I was trying to go back and forth between voices.)
Now my question is, how can I eliminate the extra measure at the end make measure 32 the final measure of the piece?
In reply to Thanks for all this help. I… by Jan Johnston
click an empty spot in the measure so it's selected and press ctrl+delete.
In reply to click an empty spot in the… by mike320
Hooray! it Worked!!!! Thanks you so much for all your help. Part of my problem is I don't understand the terms used in the handbook and in the menus on the screen. I'm sure when I have time to actually read the whole handbook, things will make themselves clear. In the mean time, you have been a life-saver. I didn't realize I would have a real person answer me so quickly. ( Now on to trying to add some water-color grapevine trim to jazz up two corners before the shower.) Again, many thanks! Jan
In reply to Hooray! it Worked!!!! Thanks… by Jan Johnston
There are several people without lives, like me, who hang out here looking to help others with problems. 😁
mike320 explained the professional solution to the problem.
For a quick and dirty solution (and to answer your question: How do I put the spaces ...) see handbook, section Lyrics, Character space: Ctrl+Space or even Elision (Lyric) slur / Synalepha.
In reply to Mike320 explained the… by Nikolaus Hold
Thanks!