Finale Forum

Hi,
Is there a way to have dashed lines for word extensions ?
Thanks in advance

Alternating underscores and hard spaces for low baselines, or perhaps setting Maximum Space Between Hyphens (doc options, Lyrics) to something very small?

No. You could use a dashed Smart Shape line but you'd have to enter them all separately.

Just curious - what is the significance of a dashed word extension as opposed to the commonly used solid line?

N.

In this case is to indicate that if the singer doesn't hold the note till the end of the duration is ok

I wouldn't understand the meaning of that notation if confronted with it. Wouldn't it be better to include an explanation and leave the WE as in standard practice?

I would agree with Vaughan. A note would be better than reinventing the notation.

If you want to indicate that the singer doesn't have to hold the note to the end of the duration, you have 2 pieces of notation in conflict here: the WE and the note itself. I agree with others that using unusual notation would be senseless. Either leave things to chance, or give a written instruction, but not a dashed extension. Is this with all notes that have an extension? If so, then what you are really telling the singer is that the written notation is optional and you can do whatever you want. That negates the need for notation in the first place. Or, at the beginning of the piece, just put ad libitum.

Zuill

Perhaps put the optional part in smaller noteheads and say "ad lib."

Or, write exactly what you want and hope the singer doesn't run out of air?

Zuill

I hit upon an idea that might have some merit. You can adjust the terminology and the language as needed.

N.

Speaking as a singer... A word extension is a clear direction to hold the note till the end.

Lack of an extension is generally interpreted giving the singer some leeway in when to cut off ... unless the conductor overrides the singer’s decision figuring that the copyist missed it.

If you truly want to give the singer discretion, don’t use an extension. Instead, enclose directions the first time italic in parentheses such as (cut off ad lib.) or (release ad lib.) The next time, use (similar). Subsequent times, just leave the extension off.

This should make it quite clear that the singer has discretion when there is no word extension. Unless a musical play, conductors will not be happy and may overrule the singer anyway.