Change stem direction, length, and beaming

Change stem direction, length, and beaming

By default, a note’s stem direction and length depend on the settings in the Staff Style window. You can change these attributes to improve readability; for example, to group notes meant to be played as a voice in a polyphonic passage.

The beaming of notes depends on the chosen time signature, the Beat Grouping setting in the Time Signature dialog, and the staff style’s Beam parameter. You can change the beaming of individual notes to improve readability by clarifying the rhythmic structure or phrasing of notes.

When Additional Score Options is selected in the Advanced preferences pane, additional options for changing note attributes become available.

Change a note’s stem direction and length

Do one of the following:

  • Double-click a note, then choose a value from the Stem Direction pop-up menu in the Note Attributes window.

    Note: The stem length cannot be changed in the Note Attributes window.

  • Choose Functions > Note Attributes > Stems from the Score Editor menu bar, then choose one of the following options:

    • Default: The stem direction is set in accordance with the default (staff style) setting.

    • Up: Forces the note’s stem upward.

    • Down: Forces the note’s stem downward.

    • Hide: Hides a note’s stem, and the corresponding beam or flag.

    • Stem Position: Default: Uses the default setting.

    • Stem Position: Center: Moves the stem to the center.

    • Stem Position: Side: Moves the stem to the side.

    • Stem Position: Automatic: Moves the stem to the side.

    • Stem End: Default Length: Uses the default setting.

    • Stem End: Move Up: Moves the stem end upward. Depending on the direction, this shortens or lengthens the stem.

    • Stem End: Move Down: As above, but moves the stem end downward.

  • Control-click a note head, choose Attributes > Stems from the shortcut menu, then choose an option from the submenu.

  • Use one of the following key commands:

    • Stems: Default

    • Stems: Up

    • Stems: Down

    • Stems: Hide

    • Stem End: Default Length

    • Stem End: Move Up

    • Stem End: Move Down

Change the beaming of selected notes

Do one of the following:

  • Choose Functions > Note Attributes > Beaming from the Score Editor menu bar, then choose one of the following:

    • Beam Selected Notes: Forces a beam to the following note.

    • Unbeam Selected Notes: Interrupts the beam to the following note.

    • Default Beams: Uses the default setting.

  • Control-click a note head, choose Attributes > Beaming from the shortcut menu, then choose an option from the submenu.

  • Use one of the following key commands:

    • Beam Selected Notes

    • Unbeam Selected Notes

    • Default Beams