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).

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 optimize the systems. In general, optimizing is used to suppress the printing of blank staves within a system. However, optimizing has another important effect: it allows each staff within a system to be independently movable in Page View.

Another characteristic of published hymns is that 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.

To create variable-distance systems

For best results, perform this operation last, just before you print. See Optimizing systems for more information.

1. Click the Page Layout Tool  .
2. From the Edit menu, select the systems or choose Select All.
3. From the Page Layout menu, choose Systems, then Allow Individual Staff Spacing.
4. Click the Staff Tool  ; then drag the lower handle of any staff to move it.

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