adding lyrics with no melody

[Cedar]

Is it possible to add lyrics to a score when there is no melody written out?

The reason I ask is because a rock group asked me to create some charts, consisting of lyrics, chords, occasional rhythmic markings and bass lines. But they have no need for the melody to be written out.

I realize I could just use the text tool to add lyrics, but I thought there might be a faster way. I want to ensure that the lyrics are properly assigned to appropriate measures, but do not need them to correspond to a rhythm (or notes).

Incidentally, it might be that I am overlooking something I can accomplish with just the text tool. When I've used the text tool, one disadvantage I've encountered is that the text apparently does not move automatically when I make other editing changes (such as removing a measure stack, or adding notes to a measure in a way that changes its size). If I could be sure that lyrics created with the text tool would always remain pinned near the measure where it was created, that might suffice.

I am using WIndows, Finale Version 14.5

[zuill]

If you are using the Slash Notation for the rhythm measures, put rests in the measures and attach the lyrics to the rests. You won't see the rests, but you'll see the lyrics.

Zuill

[Cedar]

I'm not sure how to assign lyrics to rests, but assume that is not hard to find in the manual.

But can I do that if the measure includes some notes? As I mentioned, the charts will potentially include other instrumental markings, though not a melody.

[zuill]

You can attach lyrics to notes or rests. Without seeing a sample, it's hard to offer relevant suggestions.

Zuill

[miker]

I put eighth rests in layer two, and attached the lyrics to them. Then, I hid the rests. I just put the notes in layer one so you could see them.

[Cedar]

So does each word or syllable need to be assigned to a rest? Or is it possible to attach several words to one rest?

[N Grossingink]

So does each word or syllable need to be assigned to a rest? Or is it possible to attach several words to one rest?

It would be best to attach one word to one rest. You don't have to attach a word to every rest - if you run a series of eighth rests, you can skip over a rest or two to space the words out beneath the measure.

You can attach multiple words to a single rest (type alt/space between words), but that might be problematic so far as spacing the words beneath the measure.

N.

[miker]

You can put more than one word on a rest, if you use a “hard space” between them. However, the spacing can get a little more complicated.

[MikeHalloran]

You can put more than one word on a rest, if you use a “hard space” between them. However, the spacing can get a little more complicated.

Similar to writing opera in Italian. Easy to do in Finale but you have to pay attention to page layout and measure spacing.

In the old days, experienced engravers did these things as required by hand using their eyes for spacing ... backwards.

I’ll spare you the Deems Taylor article on how Music is drawn, not written.

[miker]

That’s like remembering that everything Fred Astaire did, Ginger Rogers did it backwards. In heels!