Setting Irish dance tunes

[RWW Taylor]

I would like to use Finale Songwriter 2010 to set Irish dance music, such as reels. A reel typical consists of sixteen measures of music set in 4/4 time, divided into an A part and a B part, usually played with repeats in the pattern AABB. The settings fall out nicely on four lines.

A reel typically begins with one beat (a quarter note) of pickup notes, with a second (usually different) similar pickup to part B. In order to make the repeats come out right, the final measure appearing on lines two and four must be short by the final beat.

I can get Songwriter to insert a one-beat pickup measure at the start of part A. However, even though I turn off the "Fill with rests..." option in the Simple menu, Songwriter insists on filling all partial measures (at the end of lines two and four and at the start of line three) with rests, and the result is not a continuous tune.

Any suggestions how I can accomplish my purpose? Thanks.

/RWWT

[miker]

Two ways only, I'm afraid:

1. Upgrade to Finale. It's the only program that has the ability to split the measures that you need.

2. Get someone who has Finale to make a template for you.

Sorry.