User manual

wedge is a tiny triangle formed by the horizontal staff line, the vertical stem, and the angled line
of the slanted beam, which can be visually confusing.
Determination of the amount of slant for a beam is therefore a balancing act that must weigh up
several factors: the desired amount of slant, valid snapping positions for each end of the beam,
ensuring a minimum distance between the note closest to the beam and the innermost beam
line, and avoiding wedges where possible.
In Dorico SE, you can change the beam slants of individual beams.
Changing beam slants
You can change the slants, or angles, of individual beams.
PROCEDURE
1. Select at least one note in each beam group whose slant you want to change.
2. In the Properties panel, activate Beam direction in the Beaming group.
3. Select one of the following options from the menu:
●
Flat
●
Up
● Down
RESULT
The slants of the selected beams are changed while retaining correct positions relative to staff
lines.
Centered beams
Centered beams are positioned between high and low notes within the same beamed group,
typically drawn in the middle of the staff or between the staves of grand staff instruments.
Centered beams are also known as “kneed” or “elbowed” beams due to their often angular
shape.
When a beamed phrase spans a large pitch range, normal beams are often positioned very close
to some notes in the phrase but very far from other notes in the phrase, making some stems
very long. Having a centered beam in a phrase that spans a large pitch range can reduce the
maximum distance between noteheads and the beam, but can also place the beam within the
staff, which can obscure staff lines.
Beaming
Centered beams
516
Dorico SE 3.1.10