> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://handbook.musescore.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/notation/lines.md).
# Lines
## Overview
This chapter focuses on Musescore **Lines**, a type of objects capable of attaching (anchoring) to a [horizontal continuous range](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md#range-select) of more than two notes or rests, or vertical collection of notes (chord). A Musescore Line object contains a length of string or arc, and [optionally a text](#text-lines). These objects can [functionally affect the score](/3/notation/notation-types.md), and share similar [configurable properties](#inspector-properties-of-lines).
Musescore Line objects include these subtypes, follow the hyperlink on text to read their dedicated main chapters, or "jump to section" on this chapter:
* Line (a simple general purpose, straight line) ([jump to section](#standard-lines))
* [Slurs](/3/notation/slurs.md)
* Staff text lines and System text lines ([jump to section](#text-lines))
* [Hairpins](/3/notation/hairpins.md) and crescendo, decrescendo lines
* [Volta brackets](/3/notation/voltas.md) (repeat section brackets on top)
* [Octave lines](/3/notation/octave-lines.md) (ottava, 8ve etc)
* Pedal markings ([jump to section](#text-lines))
* (Long) Trill lines and upprall, downprall, prallprall are interchangeable by [adjusting properties](#inspector-properties-of-lines). They affect playback. [Accidentals (not affecting playback) can be added](#adding-accidentals-to-an-ornament-line).
* [Arpeggios](/3/notation/arpeggios-and-glissandi.md)
* [Glissandi](/3/notation/arpeggios-and-glissandi.md) (slides) and portamento between two notes
* Guitar Barre line ([jump to section](#text-lines))
* "let ring" line, affects playback
* vibrato line, affects playback
* vibrato sawtooth, tremolo sawtooth, affects playback
* P.M. --- (guitar palm mute), does not affect playback
* [Early music features: Ambitus](/3/advanced-topics/early-music-features.md#ambitus)
These markings contain length of string or arc, but do **not** belong to Musescore Line objects because they cannot attach (anchor) to a continuous range:
* [Bends](/3/notation/articulations-and-ornaments/bends.md) (brass or guitar articulation)
* [Ties](/3/notation/ties.md)
* [Tremolo](/3/notation/tremolo.md)
* Single note [Articulations and ornaments](/3/notation/articulations-and-ornaments.md) such as turns, (short) trills and mordent
* (Staff) [Brackets](/3/notation/brackets.md)
* [Barlines](/3/notation/barlines.md)
* Staff line (To change global staff line thickness, see [Measure and horizontal spacing](/3/formatting/measure-and-horizontal-spacing.md) chapter. Other related settings see [Staff / Part properties](/3/advanced-topics/staff--part-properties.md) chapter.)
## Standard lines
Standard line or plain line is a simple general purpose, straight line. It can be adjusted to be diagonal or vertical.
## Text lines
A **text line** has [text](https://github.com/shoogle/Handbook/blob/3/docs/text/README.md) embedded. Examples of this subtype are Staff text lines, ornament lines, pedal, [Volta](/3/notation/voltas.md), [Octave lines](/3/notation/octave-lines.md) etc.
When you apply a text line to the score from a palette, the *line* properties always remain unchanged, but the *text* properties may, under certain circumstances, assume those of the current [style](/3/text/text-styles-and-properties.md) for text lines. For details, see [Behavior of applied text and lines](/3/basics/palettes.md#behavior-of-applied-text-and-lines).
## Staff text lines and System text lines
General purpose text-lines. **Staff text lines**, when attached to a single staff will appear in [Parts](/3/advanced-topics/parts.md) that feature that staff or tablature. **System text lines**, appearing in all [Parts](/3/advanced-topics/parts.md).
## Adding accidentals to an ornament line
To add an accidental to an ornament line (e.g. a trill line) and pralls, select the line and click on a symbol in the Accidentals palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4), **toolbar buttons will not work.** Does not affect playback.
## Guitar barre line
To add a **guitar barre line**, use either:
* a Staff text line or System text line, or
* a **barre** object existed in *previous* Musescore versions but was since removed, they are the same.
## Piano Pedal
This section focuses on the types of piano pedal engraving available, for knowledge of various piano pedals see [wikipedia article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_pedals).
### Types of pedal markings
#### **In terms of visual representation**
Supported engravings including:
* Line at either or both ends, have no hook or hooks at angles of either 45 or 90 degrees, or "T" end;
* **Ped.** followed by such a line, or a rosette symbol (\*) : The line from the built-in **Ped.** \* palette item is invisible and non-printing. Adjust on-screen display with **View menu > Show > Show invisible** setting accordingly, see [Viewing and navigation: visibility options](/3/basics/viewing-and-navigation.md#visibility-options). To convert the line to visible in printing, or style it as dashed, change [properties](#pedal-properties).;\\
* ***Sost.*** (sostenuto pedal) marking and other related symbols and pictogram can be found under **Symbols** category in [Master palette](/3/advanced-topics/master-palette.md) window.\\
* Create custom **sim.** or **pedal ad lib** marking with [Staff text](/3/text/staff-text-and-system-text.md).
* Full pedal is implied for playback, [embed images](/3/formatting/images.md) to add pedal strength symbols for engraving need.
#### **In terms of function inside Musescore**
There are three different subtypes:
**Type 1** includes:\\
* Line with **45 degree** angled **End hook** or **no End hook**, with or without **Ped.** beginning text.
* **Ped.** followed by a rosette symbol (\*)
Visually, the line or symbol only extends horizontally to the *notehead* attached to the **end anchor**.\
Functionally, if that note is attached to another marking's **start anchor**, the following marking will automatically connect and make a shape resembling "-^-", which is indicative of the piano technique *"pedal released and pressed again without releasing this note"*.\\
\ \_shown above is the auto connect, their playback are also in line with the piano technique\_\ Sustain (MIDI CC 64) is created by the synthesizer. When consecutive type 1 markings create a "-^-", playback matches the piano technique, the \_first marking\_ is interpreted by synthesizer as \_released \*\*at\*\* the note attached to the \*\*end anchor\*\*\_. Single or trailing type 1 markings creates playback like type 2: \_sustain until the note attached to the \*\*end anchor\*\* ends.\_\\
\ \_The last two type 1 markings shown above are single or trailing, they create the same playback as type 2\_
**Type 2** includes:\\
* Line other than described in Type 1, with or without **Ped.** beginning text.
Visually, the line extends horizontally to an aprpopiate length spanning the *full duration* of note attached to the **end anchor**.\
Functionally, sustain (MIDI CC 64) is created by the synthesizer. Type 2 always *sustain until the note attached to the **end anchor** ends.*
Type 1 and 2 are interchangable by adjusting [properties](#pedal-properties).
**Type 3** includes marking added from **Symbols** category in [Master palette](/3/advanced-topics/master-palette.md) window such as sostenuto pedal marking, custom Staff Text markings, and [embedded images](/3/formatting/images.md), they are for engraving purpose only and are non-functional.
### Adding pedal markings to your score
\ \_shown above a type 2 marking on score\_
Add pedal markings from **Lines** palette, see "Applying lines to the score" ([jump to](#applying-lines-to-the-score)). If you add marking to a *single note*, **end anchor** is attached to end of its measure.
Adjust with Shift+Left/Right, switch handle with Tab, see "Line anchors and playback properties" ([jump to](#line-anchors-and-playback-properties)).
Unfortunately, you might need to make compromise with engraving style or not notate at all if you must create a desired playback, because of the functional limitation of Type 1 and Type 2 explained. Musescore 3 pedal marking always create sustain playback only (**cannot** be turned off), making it impossible to use "add redundant symbol, make it invisible" trick.
To create shape resembling "-^-" with consecutive Type 1 markings, make sure the **end anchor** is attached correctly, which is usually to the **first note of the next measure** instead of the last note of the previous measure. This big picture shows the correct **end anchor** result.\\
MuseScore does not offer keyboard shortcut bindings to palette items, but you can configure a shortcut to apply the same (last used) times consecutively to improve efficiency, see [Palettes: Apply the last selected item](/3/basics/palettes.md#apply-the-last-selected-item)
### Pedal properties
Per symbol settings see "Inspector properties of Lines" ([jump to](#inspector-properties-of-lines)). Global settings see [Layout and formatting: Pedal](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md#pedal), and [Layout and formatting: Text-line](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md#text-line) .
## Applying lines to the score
The commonest way to add a new Musescore Line is to use either:
* a predefined keyboard shortcut, for example S to add slurs (see the respective chapter above),
* the **Lines** [palette](/3/basics/palettes.md) (see screenshot below), or
* assign and use the keyboard shortcut "Apply current palette element" ([jump to section](#to-repeatedly-apply-the-same-line)).
A Line, except [Slurs](/3/notation/slurs.md), [Volta brackets](/3/notation/voltas.md) and [Ambitus](/3/advanced-topics/early-music-features.md#ambitus), can be applied from a palette in the following ways:
## To apply a line to *just* one note
1. Click on a note, then Ctrl+Click on the next note;
2. In a palette, click on a line (double-click in versions prior to 3.4).
## To apply a line across a range of notes
1. [Select](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md) a [range](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md#shift-click-selection) of notes;
2. In a palette, click on a line (double-click in versions prior to 3.4).
## To apply a line from a note to the end of that measure
Use any of the following methods:
* Click on a note, then, in a palette, click on a line (double-click the latter in versions prior to 3.4).
* Drag and drop a line onto the score.
## To apply a line across a range of measures
1. [Select](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md#select-measure) one or more measures;
2. In a palette, click on a line (double-click in versions prior to 3.4).
## To repeatedly apply the same line
To efficiently apply the same item again, such as adding end to end pedal marks to a piano phrase, setup and use a keyboard shortcut, see [Palettes](/3/basics/palettes.md#apply-the-last-selected-item).
## Inspector properties of Lines
Any line in the score can be customized by adjusting its properties in the [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md), as follows:
1. Select the line;
2. If *line hooks* are needed, make a selection from **Begin hook**, **End hook** and **Height** (in the [Text Line Core](/3/basics/inspector.md#text-line-details) section);
3. To add *text*, tick **Begin Text**, **Continue Text** or **End Text**, then type in the "Text" box:
* **Begin**: Text added here appears at the beginning of the line;
* **Continue**: Text added here appears at the beginning of [the next system](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md#page) if any;
* **End**: Text added here appears at the end of the line;
4. Edit *text properties* and *alignment* as required;
5. Edit **Placement**: "Above" or "Below" sets the text so that it is on the line. "Left" places the text to the left of the line;
6. Toggle line printing and exporting visibility with "Line visible" checkbox in the **Line** section.
7. Make adjustments to the line color, thickness and style (solid, dashed etc.) in the **Line** section. The **Diagonal** option allows you to create a diagonal line by dragging the [end handles](/3/basics/edit-mode.md#lines);
8. To save the result for future use, see [Custom palettes](/3/basics/palettes.md#customize-palette-contents).
## Adjust vertical position
In [Normal mode](/3/appendix/glossary.md#normal-mode), apply one of the following methods:
* Click on one or more lines and change the vertical offset in the [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md#element);
* Click on a line, press and hold Shift and drag it up/down with a mouse.
**Note**: You can also adjust the vertical position in [Edit](/3/basics/edit-mode.md#lines) mode.
## Line anchors and playback properties
Some lines, such as [Hairpins](/3/notation/hairpins.md), [Voltas](/3/notation/voltas.md), [Ottavas](/3/notation/octave-lines.md) etc. affect *playback*. The **start handle** and **end handle** are connected by a **pink dotted line** to their respective [**anchors**](/3/appendix/glossary.md#anchor) on the staff, which are visible in [Edit mode](/3/basics/edit-mode.md) only. These anchors indicate the *extent of the playback effect.*
## Change length and anchors *together*
**Note**: The following two methods adjust the length of the line engraving *and* the [anchors](#line-anchors-and-playback-properties) affecting playback *together*. This ensures that correct playback of the score is maintained (if applicable), and that the line can be extended between [systems](/3/appendix/glossary.md#system) if required.
## Using keyboard shortcuts
1. Enter [Edit mode](/3/basics/edit-mode.md#enter-exit), the **end handle** is automatically selected, if not, click to select it;
2. Apply one of the following shortcuts:
* Shift+Right to move the **end handle**, and its anchor, to the right by one note (or, in the case of [Voltas](/3/notation/voltas.md), one measure)
* Shift+Left to move the **end handle**, and its anchor, to the left by one note (or, in the case of Voltas, one measure);
3. If you wish to adjust the starting anchor position, Tab once to select the **start** handle, then Shift+Right and Shift+Left to adjust it.
## By dragging (as of version 3.5)
* Click on a **handle** of a line and drag it with the mouse.
## Fine adjustment
To make **fine adjustments** to the position of the line end (without changing the position of the anchor):
1. Enter [Edit mode](/3/basics/edit-mode.md#enter-exit) and click on an **end handle**;
2. Apply one of the following shortcuts:
* Right to move the handle right by 0.1 **sp** (1 sp = one staff space = the distance between two staff lines).
* Left to move the handle left 0.1 sp.
* Ctrl+Right (Mac: Cmd+Right) to move the handle right one sp.
* Ctrl+Left (Mac: Cmd+Right) to move the handle left one sp.
## Copying lines
Once applied to the score, lines cannot be copied using the usual [copy and paste](/3/basics/copy-and-paste.md) procedures. However, you can [duplicate](/3/basics/copy-and-paste.md#duplicate) lines within a score:
* Press and hold Ctrl+Shift (Mac: Cmd+Shift), click on the line and drag it to the desired location.
## External links
* [Piano pedal marks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_musical_symbols#Pedal_marks) at Wikipedia
* [Guitar Barre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barre_chord#Notation) at Wikipedia
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