Independent Slash Notation

[jackjoker]

Hello,

I have a three part song and I use slash notation for the bass and chords.
The melody is pretty irregular so the slash notation gets screwed up adapting the rhythm of the melody:

<img src="http://members.chello.nl/e.berne/slash.jpg">

When I use music spacing 'time signature' the bass part gets right but the melody part is screwed up. How can I use note spacing for one staff and time signature spacing for the other. I know you can do it for two different parts but this doesn't change the score. I want to use the score as well.

Thanks

[Peter Thomsen]

Finale is actually doing what it's supposed to do.
Traditionally all the beats are aligned vertically below each other, even if the slash spacing gets uneven.

However, Finale has a reputation of being able to solve any (untraditional) layout idea.
So you can get it the way you want it, although I'm not sure what you want?
I assume that you want the barlines to line up vertically, so that the slash (and the chord symbol) on Beat 1 in each measure stack is vertically aligned with Beat 1 in the melody?
And I assume that you have all the chord symbols on Beat 1 only, never on Beat 3?


1. In the example you posted, the spacing is screwed up, both in the melody and in the bass part.
You should Update Layout.
And you should perhaps Lock Systems before you Update Layout.

Updating Layout will give a much better spacing in both parts.
But the slashes won't be positioned equidistantly in the measure.


2. To get the slashes positioned equidistantly:
Instead of using Slash Notation, use Blank Notation.

Add the slashes as a measure expression.
In the Shape Expression Designer, make sure that "Allow Horizontal Stretching" is selected (it is selected by default).
In the Shape Designer, create a shape expression with the 4 slashes positioned equidistantly.
Position the first slash character (Maestro 24 - character #213) just to the right of Origo, and position the other 3 slashes on the right side of the first slash.
Attach the shape expression to Beat 1 in all the measures.
The expression will adjust itself to the width of the various measures because "Allow Horizontal Stretching" is selected.

In the Shape Designer you may have to experiment with the distance between the 4 slash characters, to get it right in the score.


Peter

[jackjoker]

Thanks a lot Peter!!

After updating the lay-out I was pretty content with the slashes, I tried to make a nice design with the shape designer but I actually like the slashes better like they are now.