Different note durations in piano music

[fenewman]

Hi all. I cannot figure out how to, in the same staff, write a note of one duration over a note of another duration. For example, how do I notate a half note held while four eighth notes are playing above it? And, if I do this using two different voices, I can't get the first eighth note's stem to be on the same stem as the half note. Please help!!! Thanks!

[Lurker]

if I do this using two different voices, I can't get the first eighth note's stem to be on the same stem as the half note.!

Why would you want to get the first eighth's stem to be on the same stem as the half note? If you mean they don't line up properly, then use voice 1 & 2 (which align against each other). The noteheads will be in line (except when you have adjacent notes) and the stems will be in opposite directions. which is possibly what you want.