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Topic: Changes in number of staff lines (Read 3636 times) previous topic - next topic

Changes in number of staff lines

Is there a way for a staff to have five lines at certain times and only one line at other times.  What I have in mind is a vocal piece.  When the singer sings (specific pitches), that is notated on a standard five-line staff.

But there are times in the piece when the singer speaks, shouts, whispers, etc., and I'd like the staff to have only one line in those sections, because it's only indicating rhythm, not pitch.

Of course, you can do this on two separate staves, to hear or record it.  But I'm writing a performing score where the singer will want to see one continuous staff.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Peter

Re: Changes in number of staff lines

Reply #1 –
No, the number of staff lines used by a staff applies to its entirety.

Re: Changes in number of staff lines

Reply #2 –
This can be done with layering.
Use one staff of 5 lines and another of 1 line layered on top of each other.
When the 5-line staff is prominent, all of the info on the 1-line staff should be hidden.
When the 5-line staff is prominent, add a text item using a rectangle from a dingbat font, highlighted white.
This will block out the lines of the 5-line staff but leave the 1-line staff visible.
It may take some experimenting for you to get it just right, but this is a start anyway.

Re: Changes in number of staff lines

Reply #3 –
Thanks a lot.  I'll try that.
Peter

Re: Changes in number of staff lines

Reply #4 –
Thanks to Gus Wynne for your suggestion.  I know how to add a one-line staff, and how to mark it as layered with the following staff.  But how do you place one on top of the other, and how do you make one or the other prominent at given point?

Many thanks,
Peter

Re: Changes in number of staff lines

Reply #5 –
The lower staff sits on top when you print. You don't need to worry about priority since you can leave the single line staff on top and just blank out the five line staff when you don't want that one to appear.

Re: Changes in number of staff lines

Reply #6 –
Thanks,
Peter