[sib-access] Re: Writing lyrics to slightly different verses
- From: "Dale Lieser" <dale.lieser@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <sib-access@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 5 Oct 2013 05:28:14 -0400
Hello, Ben,
I have encountered the same situation you describe. I think the solution is
to actually adjust the number of notes depending on which verse you are
inputting. It seems to me it shouldn't have to be so, but I haven't yet
discovered a way around it. Also, in vocal music it is common for to eighth
notes, for example, to be tied (not slurred) together. The singer will see
that for one verse, let's say, a syllable will have the duration of a
quarter, which in our example is the two tied eighth notes. In the next
verse there might be a syllable allotted to each of the eighth notes. The
annoying thing is that Sibelius treats the tie as it usually would, and not
place a syllable on the second of those eighths.
By adjusting the ties, either placing one or removing that one, depending on
which verse you are inputting, you should be able to make it work.
Does this help?
Dale
-----Original Message-----
From: sib-access-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:sib-access-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Benjamin Blatter
Sent: Saturday, October 05, 2013 1:27 AM
To: sib-access@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sib-access] Writing lyrics to slightly different verses
Hello all
I'm writing a choir arrangement for a song. The first two verses are
rhytmically identical. But the third verse has two notes in addition
because of some more lyrics which have to fit in.
Well, I finally encounter a problem which I somehow was able to avoid
spectacularly for many years by just not writing the verses at all or
adding or leaving some words. but now I'd like really to know how one is
supposed to deal with this situation.
I wrote the first verse in a text file and imported it by pressing Alt
C, X, Y and F. I think I did it right, it's really simple stuff. My
problem for the first and 2nd verse is that there are now actually two
notes which don't have any lyrics and shouldn't be sung either. I tried
to let sibelius move the text cursor by adding three spaces where no
lyrics should be. But wheter I try it with 3 or 4 spaces sibelius always
tells me that my lyrics seem to be shorter than the music.
I hope you get what my problem is about.
By the way I really want to thank you Dale Lieser again for your great
tutorial about inputting lyrics. This tutorial did speed up my workflow
extremely. And overall I rarely need sighted assistance in dealing with
layout problems anymore.
for anyone who missed this tutorial I'll copy it below.
Thanks all for your help and kind regards
Ben
Tutorial
INPUTTING LYRICS FROM TEXT FILE
Sibelius provides the means for efficient entry of lyrics via the "From text
file" option. Once a text file of lyrics has been carefully created, this
feature gets the lyrics from that file and aligns them properly with the
notes of the selected passage. The sequence of keystrokes for the "From Text
File" feature is: alt+c, x, y, f.
Preparing the Text File
Proper hyphenation and spacing are the two most important considerations
when writing your text file. Hyphenation should follow the normal practice
of dividing words and nothing more. Spacing, however, demands much detail.
Remember that both the hyphen (-)and space (blank space entered via the
<spacebar>) advance the Sibelius cursor to the next note.
In multi-syllabic words in which each component applies to only one note, no
extra spacing is required. But when one syllable spans more than a single
note, additional spaces cause Sibelius to execute the appropriate visual
indications while also working proper alignment with the notes.
Let's use the line from the carol Joy to the World, "Let every heart prepare
Him room, And", as our example. With a 2/4 meter, our example will be
approximately 4 measures long. Carefully examine the following line with
regard to hyphenation and spacing, and then we'll discuss it.
Let eve- ry heart pre-pare Him room, And
First, note that the hyphenation offers no surprises, the words being
divided in standard places.
Now the examination of spacing. Remember that a single space advances to the
next note. The "extra" spaces provide the necessary advancing to other notes
to which a given syllable applies. In the first syllable of "every", the
hyphen serves to advance the cursor to the next note. Then, even though one
would not normally have a space in the middle of a word, just such a thing
is required here, in order to not get to the second syllable too soon.
The second syllable of "every" is followed by two, yes, 2 spaces. Since no
hyphen is involved because the word "every" has ended, the extra space is
what tells Sibelius that the word "heart" does not come just yet. In other
words, each syllable of "every" is sung on two notes, so the first syllable
of the word is followed immediately by a hyphen and a space; and the second
syllable is followed by two spaces, rather than a hyphen and a space.
Since the word "heart" is only one syllable, but spans three notes in our
example, the setting of this lyric to its notes calls for three spaces.
For the sake of our example, let's call hyphens and spaces "advancers",
because of the forward movement they exert on the cursor. Here is the rule
for entering lyrics for proper spacing:
Beginning of Rule
The number of advancers must be equal to the number of notes for a given
syllable.
End of Rule
So then, you can use a hyphen, a space, or a combination of a hyphen and one
or more spaces to get the job done. Note that you will not use two
consecutive hyphens. However, consecutive spaces are not uncommon. The only
place for a hyphen in a set of advancers is the beginning of the string. Do
not use a hyphen between or after spaces.
Other Considerations
Although Sibelius offers the option of hyphenating lyrics automatically, do
not use that choice, since reviewing the result, and editing if necessary,
are more cumbersome than worthwhile. Also, editing the lyrics usually
destroys the alignment Sibelius has so nicely provided when flowing from a
text file.
Punctuation should be placed just as it would be in literary writing. Do not
let a hyphen or space separate punctuation from the syllable to which it
belongs.
Sibelius requires that the appropriate slurs and ties be in place in your
score before flowing in the lyrics.
While gaining familiarity with the "From Text File" feature, you might
consider dividing a score's lyrics into smaller segments, perhaps
designating one file for each verse, another for the chorus, etc. Then flow
the lyrics into the score one section at a time. Remember, you'll need to
select a passage in the score so Sibelius knows the boundaries of the coming
lyrics. The advantage of working in smaller units is that, if Sibelius
recognizes an error, such as too few or too many lyrics for the selected
passage, it becomes easier to hone in on the problem.
Be careful to not use a <return> or any blank lines in your text file. The
temptation might be to do so for basic formatting. Override that desire. No
blank lines in the text file.
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