Hymns

There are several conventions common to hymns which Finale can accommodate. For example, hymns are often notated on two staves (which may be Soprano/Alto and Tenor/Bass and double as an organ part), with lyrics in between. Use Layer 1/Layer 2 on each staff to create parts whose stems are automatically flipped the right way (see Multiple voices).

The first syllables of all verses are aligned with each other, flush left. (Lyrics under normal circumstances are centered under the notehead.) To create this alignment, see Document Options-Lyrics.

Often, too, a hymn contains several verses, with a single repeated refrain. Assuming that the lyrics lie between the two staves, you need to adjust the space between the two staves so that there’s enough room for multiple verses, yet leave less space between staves where there are only the single-line refrain lyrics.

The solution is to adjust the vertical positioning of staves using the Staff tool.

To create variable-distance systems

1. Click the Staff tool. .
2. Click the staff handle of the staff you want to move vertically in the system you want to move it. When you click the handle once, all measures in the system are selected in that staff. You can double-click the handle to select all staves.
3. Drag to move, or use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to nudge, the staff vertically. Subsequent staves in the system retain their spacing proportions.

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