How can I get Sibelius to display multiple voices cleanly?
Sibelius 7.1.3 – OS X 10.12.6
The first measure in this screenshot is a set of four notes, all assigned to voice 1. The second measure is those same four notes, assigned top-to-bottom voices 1-4.
For reasons that I don't understand, Sibelius has chosen to vertically align them all the same, so that I can no longer read the D and C.
Is there a setting to make Sibelius display the multiple voices the same as it displays the single voice? "Optimize layout" doesn't change anything.
The first measure in this screenshot is a set of four notes, all assigned to voice 1. The second measure is those same four notes, assigned top-to-bottom voices 1-4.
For reasons that I don't understand, Sibelius has chosen to vertically align them all the same, so that I can no longer read the D and C.
Is there a setting to make Sibelius display the multiple voices the same as it displays the single voice? "Optimize layout" doesn't change anything.
Put the two middle notes both in voice 2.
Is there some reason why you need to have voices 123&4 assigned in this way? Sibelius' voices are paored in terms of their stem direction defaults 1&3, 2&4. A simple chord like this doesn't need to be in all four voices.
Is there some reason why you need to have voices 123&4 assigned in this way? Sibelius' voices are paored in terms of their stem direction defaults 1&3, 2&4. A simple chord like this doesn't need to be in all four voices.
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2024.3.1, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 4, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk
I'm writing four voices at a time, I'm only showing a single measure here to demonstrate the problem, but I'm writing four voices linearly.
I suppose I can write my four voices separately, and then change them all to voice 1 so it displays properly. I just don't see why Sibelius wants to display the notes in this unhelpful manner in the first place. I figured there's some way to tell it "make it display the same as if they were all in one voice."
If there were a way to add a note to an existing voice using my MIDI keyboard then I would happily do that. afaik the only way to add a note to an existing voice is to use the computer keyboard interval method.
I suppose I can write my four voices separately, and then change them all to voice 1 so it displays properly. I just don't see why Sibelius wants to display the notes in this unhelpful manner in the first place. I figured there's some way to tell it "make it display the same as if they were all in one voice."
If there were a way to add a note to an existing voice using my MIDI keyboard then I would happily do that. afaik the only way to add a note to an existing voice is to use the computer keyboard interval method.
In my (admittedly limited) experience, it is usual to put the sop and alto on one staff and the tenor and bass on a separate staff with bass clef.
It's unusual to write all foour parts on the same staff.
It's unusual to write all foour parts on the same staff.
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2024.3.1, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 4, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk
The reason I say tjhat is because you are in danger of making a rod for your own back!
Is this an instrumental piece or for actual voices? The reason I ask is that this will affect the way you approach the task. If this is a piece of complex polyphony where the four lines need to be kept clear and separate, then there is a plugin I can recommend called "Narrow two voices". This will allow you to change the way two voices interact in the staff.
If it's just a one-off chord, then you might want to consider just keeping all the notes in one or two voices (1&2 or 3&4).
Is this an instrumental piece or for actual voices? The reason I ask is that this will affect the way you approach the task. If this is a piece of complex polyphony where the four lines need to be kept clear and separate, then there is a plugin I can recommend called "Narrow two voices". This will allow you to change the way two voices interact in the staff.
If it's just a one-off chord, then you might want to consider just keeping all the notes in one or two voices (1&2 or 3&4).
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2024.3.1, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 4, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk
OK.
Unless the parts are all playing semibreves throughout, you need to be aware of the way Sibelius will treat stemmed notes. Voices 1 and 3 will tend to be 'stems up' and voices 2 and 4 will tend to be 'stems down'. This can make the music less readable unless you intend to colour the notes. I would offer a suggestion: keep the top two lines in voice 1 and the lower pair in voice 2 unless their rhythms are significantly different to each other.
If there's a lot of crossing of parts going on, as in complex polyphony, then you will need to take extra care with your voicing or it will look a mess.
Unless the parts are all playing semibreves throughout, you need to be aware of the way Sibelius will treat stemmed notes. Voices 1 and 3 will tend to be 'stems up' and voices 2 and 4 will tend to be 'stems down'. This can make the music less readable unless you intend to colour the notes. I would offer a suggestion: keep the top two lines in voice 1 and the lower pair in voice 2 unless their rhythms are significantly different to each other.
If there's a lot of crossing of parts going on, as in complex polyphony, then you will need to take extra care with your voicing or it will look a mess.
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2024.3.1, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 4, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk
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- Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2021 4:03 pm
- Sibelius Version: 7 First
I had the same problem, while creating reharmonization for a song using three notes per melody note. I had to create it one stem at a time, so therefore instead of writing all notes all over again when new stem was created, I put all stems on their own "voices". Then I was stuck with this same dilemma, some notes being written over others.
I tried some things, and as a happy accident I selected everything on that stave (all notes on all voices) and just clicked the Voice1 button on the keypad. Every note was transferred to voice 1. I hope this helps others too!
I tried some things, and as a happy accident I selected everything on that stave (all notes on all voices) and just clicked the Voice1 button on the keypad. Every note was transferred to voice 1. I hope this helps others too!