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Topic: Problem with overlapping notes with Staff Layering (Read 2348 times) previous topic - next topic

Problem with overlapping notes with Staff Layering

I am having a problem with Staff Layering in an SATB piece.  The tenor part has two quarter notes (an A and a B).  The bass has a half note (an A).  When I layer the staves, the half note is placed directly over the A.  As a result, the half note looks just like a quarter note, since the quarter shows through the half note.  On standard scores, the half note would be offset horizontally slightly.  How can I do this in NoteWorthy?

Re: Problem with overlapping notes with Staff Layering

Reply #1 –
This is a solved problem. There are several approaches, but since I do the same thing with SATB music on a regular basis, here is my approach. It is not necessarily the best solution for everyone:

I use a combination of layering and chords. Where the appearance of the notes would conflict with layers, I place the notes on a single staff as chords. Where chords do not create the appearance needed (particularly with unusual moving-notes, I separate the voices. Hidden rests are used wherever neded to keep the staves aligned.

I have yet to find an SATB problem that can't be solved that way. The only difficulty arises if you wish to print the staves un-merged. It is not a good idea to place an un-hidden note on one staff, and an identical hidden note on a merged staff.

Re: Problem with overlapping notes with Staff Layering

Reply #2 –
NoteWorthy Composer also has the "Extra Note Spacing" attribute in the Note Properties dialog, intended for resolving this kind of note collision. (Also useful for adding the necessary space on 2nd intervals.)