Working with voices

Last updated: 07/30/2024

It’s important to understand the difference between voices (polyphony) and chord clusters (several note heads on a single stem). SmartScore will recognize a note cluster as belonging to only one voice. Two vertically-aligned notes with opposing stem directions are recognized as having separate voices (Voice 1 = black / Voice 2 = red). Stem directions help to determine its voice number (and color).

Contrapuntal voice number & color

The primary voice color is black and the secondary voice color is red, etc. Voice number and color can be changed using the Voice Color button or suppressed using the Voice Visibility button.

Contrapuntal voices inside staff lines are automatically assigned to separate MIDI Channels. This allows you to control all their playback characteristics independently from each other. Here’s how they work …

How it works …

Adding another voice (Contrapuntal voices)

Select the note or rest you wish to insert as another voice.

Position your cursor exactly under or over the note or rest that corresponds to the same beat (time slice) that they both will share.

The existing note will highlight PURPLE indicating notes are now synced.

Be sure that the stem direction of the new note is pointed in the opposite direction as the original.

Insert with left click = Note stem points in same direction as cursor.

Insert with right-click = Note stem will insert in opposite direction as cursor.

Animation (0:30) - Adding another voice (Contrapuntal voices)

Swapping a note stem …

You can easily change the stem direction of any note by selecting with the Selector Tool ( key) then hit the key. Another option is to select from the menu: ☰ EDIT > Special > Swap Stems. See Changing stem and beam directions

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Offset voices (Vertical alignment)

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Working with voices

How it works …

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