Lyrics on single note (chant)

[coromaestro]

Finale 2008:

Is it possible to enter variable-length lyric-strings (i.e., several words/syllables) attached to a single note, not separate strings of unison notes with the lyrics underlaid in the normal fashion?

I work with liturgical music which often employs chanted text on a single pitch. I've worked with Finale since 1997, but have only recently needed this function in my own compositions. I haven't been successful either in finding it, or faking Finale into producing the correct result "through the back door!"

Does anyone else out there do this sort of thing? Many, many thanks for any ideas you have...

Herb

[Peter Thomsen]

As you have found out, Finale jumps to the next note if you enter a space character.

Instead, enter the non-breaking space character.

In Windows OS you can enter the non-breaking space by holding down Alt while typing on the NumPad 0137 (at least I think it's 0137).

In Mac OS the hotkey for non-breaking space is Option-Spacebar.

Peter

[at8ax]

Alt 0160, actually.

[coromaestro]

Thank you -- it works! after finally figuring out that the non-breaking space has to be entered in the "edit lyrics" screen. And I forgot to mention that I'm on a Mac. - H

[ldavies]

I, too, am working with liturgical music and need to attach several words to one note. This has helped but the lyrics are centered under the note - I want the leftmost word to be under the note with the following lyrics flowing to the right.

In addition, on published music, the note with several words attached has bars on either side of it. Can I duplicate this in Finale?

[Peter Thomsen]

1) In the Document Options you can specify the Default alignment of syllables:
Document Options > Lyrics

2) You can specify a different alignment for a specific syllable:
Lyrics menu > Adjust Syllables
Click on the note.
A handle appears on the syllable.
If you have several verses on that note, a handle appears on each syllable belonging to the note.
(Another handle appears above the syllables)
Context-click on the syllable's handle.
In the context menu you can specify the alignment for that particular syllable.

3) You can change the notehead with a sub-tool in the Special Tools Tool:
the Note Shape Tool.
When you are in the Note Shape Tool, click on the measure.
A handle appears on the notehead.
Context-click on the handle.
In the context menu, choose "Edit...".
In the dialog box Notehead Settings, click the button "Select..." to choose another notehead character.
You probably want to consider one of the characters #87, #135, or #221.

Peter