Hymns

There are several conventions common to hymns which SongWriter 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.

To create variable-distance systems

For best results, perform this operation last, just before you print.

1. Click the Page Layout tool  .
2. Select the systems or choose Edit > Select All.
3. Choose Page Layout > Allow Individual Staff Spacing.
4. Click the Staff tool  ; then drag the lower handle of any staff to move it.

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