# Other lines
## Overview
A **line** is a type of object capable of anchoring to a [horizontal continuous range](/basics/selecting-elements.md#creating-a-range-selection) of notes and rests. In MuseScore Studio, a line object contains a length of string or arc, and optionally some text. These objects can functionally affect the score and playback, and share similar configurable [line properties](#line-properties), [text properties](#text-tab), and [styles](#style-tab).
Line objects include these subtypes. Follow the links to read more on each type:
* [Standard line or Plain line](#standard-lines) (a simple general purpose, straight line)
* [Lines with arrowheads](#lines-with-arrowheads)
* [Slurs](/notation/expressive-markings/slurs-and-ties.md)
* [Staff text lines and System text lines](#staff-and-system-text-lines)
* [Hairpins and crescendo/decrescendo lines](/notation/expressive-markings/dynamics-and-hairpins.md)
* [Tempo lines](#tempo-lines), such as *ritardando*
* [Voltas](/notation/repeats/voltas.md) (brackets on top of repeated sections)
* [Pedal](/idiomatic-notation/keyboard/pedal.md) markings
* [Octave lines](/notation/pitch/octave-lines.md) (i.e. 8va)
* [Trill lines](#trill-lines)
* [Arpeggios](/notation/expressive-markings/arpeggios-and-glissandos.md)
* [Glissandi](/notation/expressive-markings/arpeggios-and-glissandos.md) (slides) and portamento between notes
* [Vertical brackets](#vertical-brackets)
* Upprall, Downprall, Prallprall lines
* [Guitar-related lines](#guitar-related-lines), including barré lines, "let ring" lines, palm mute lines, and vibrato lines
* Vibrato sawtooth, tremolo sawtooth (these do not affect playback)
* [Ambitus](/notation/pitch/ambitus.md) (an early music feature)
While the following markings look like lines or arcs, they are **not** considered line objects in MuseScore because they cannot attach (anchor) to a continuous range:
* [Bends](/notation/expressive-markings/arpeggios-and-glissandos.md) (brass or guitar articulations)
* [Ties](/basics/entering-notes-and-rests.md#ties)
* [Tremolo and rolls](/notation/expressive-markings/tremolos-and-rolls.md)
* Single note [ornaments](/notation/expressive-markings/ornaments.md) such as turns, (short) trills and mordents
* (Staff) [Brackets](/notation/instruments-staves-and-systems/brackets.md) and curly braces
* [Barlines](/notation/rhythm-meter-and-measures/barlines.md)
* Staff line
* To change global staff line thickness, go to **Format -> Style... -> Score** and change **Staff line thickness**. For other staff formatting settings, see [Staff/Part properties](/notation/instruments-staves-and-systems/staff-part-properties.md).
{% hint style="info" %}
The following description of actions and general behaviors applies to Line objects discussed here (those do not have a dedicated handbook chapter), for Line objects having dedicated handbook chapters, refer to those chapters for more accurate info.
{% endhint %}
## Adding a line to your score
The easiest way to add a new line is to use either:
* A predefined keyboard shortcut, for example S to add a [slur](/notation/expressive-markings/slurs-and-ties.md#adding-a-slur), or
* The **Lines** and **Guitar** [palettes](https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/palettes).
To apply a line to a [selected range](/basics/selecting-elements.md#creating-a-range-selection):
1. Select a range of notes.
2. Click on a line in a palette.
Or
1. Drag a line from a palette to the starting note.
2. Adjust the **end handle** to extend its range (see [Changing range of a line](/basics/adjusting-elements-directly.md#changing-the-range-of-a-line)).
To apply a line to a single note, either:
* Select a note and click on the desired line in palettes, or
* Drag a palette line to the desired start note.
## Adjusting a line
To adjust the range of a line, see [Changing range of a line](/basics/adjusting-elements-directly.md#changing-the-range-of-a-line).
## Types of lines
### Standard lines
Plain lines are applied from the **Lines** palette. They can be purposed to anything you like such as to [create guitar fingering/string number lines](#guitar-related-lines). They can be adjusted to be diagonal or vertical.
### Lines with arrowheads
Lines with arrowheads may be applied from the **Lines** palette, or the line ends of an existing line can be changed to either filled or line arrows in the [Properties](/basics/properties-panel.md) panel. The height and width of the arrowhead may also be adjusted.
### Staff and System Text lines
A staff text line, like [staff text](/text/staff-system-and-expression-text.md), is affixed to one staff in a system, and is indicative *only* for that staff. It appears only in [parts](/basics/parts.md) featuring that staff.
A system text line, like [system text](/text/staff-system-and-expression-text.md), is affixed to one staff but is indicative for all the staves in the system. It appears in all instrument parts.
### Tempo lines
Tempo markings such as **rit.** (ritardando) and **accel.** (accelerando) affect playback and can be used to create gradual tempo changes. See [Tempo markings](/text/tempo-markings.md).
### Guitar-related lines
These lines are available in the **Guitar** palette:
* **Barré lines:** Used to indicate fret positions. See [Guitar techniques](/idiomatic-notation/guitar/guitar-techniques.md#adding-a-barre-line-to-your-score).
* To create a **Fingering/String number-line**:
* **Vibrato:** You can change the shape of the line in the **Vibrato** section of the [Properties](/basics/properties-panel.md) panel.
* **Palm mute:** Changes playback sound to that of a clean muted electric guitar.
* **Let ring:** Affect playback, acts like the sustain pedal on a keyboard.
If you want to indicate a fingering that should apply over time:
1. Add a [Fingering](/text/fingering.md) from **Fingerings** palette.
2. Add a line from **Lines** palette to the same note as the fingering.
3. [Adjust the length](#adjusting-a-line) of the line as required.
### Trill lines
Not to be confused with (short) trill [ornaments](/notation/expressive-markings/ornaments.md). Trill lines have additional properties that allow showing bracketed small notes and accidentals to notate trill note pitch.
Trill lines create trills in playback for instruments using both [SoundFonts](/sound-and-playback/soundfonts.md) and [MuseSounds](/sound-and-playback/musesounds.md). When using Muse Sounds, a trill line will trigger professionally recorded trill audio for playback (if the sound sample for the notated interval exists), like the perfect fifth trill line pictured below.
### Vertical brackets
Vertical brackets can be added from the **Lines** palette and the **Keyboard** palette. They are used in a variety of situations, such as showing notes to be played by either the left or right hand for pianists, divisi assignment for strings, or even bracketing entire sections of music.
Hook length, placement (left or right of the anchor point) and which end(s) have hooks can be controlled in the **Properties** panel.
## Line properties
The [Properties panel](/basics/properties-panel.md) allows you to view and edit [General](/basics/properties-panel.md#general), [Appearance](/basics/properties-panel.md#inside-the-appearance-tab), and [Playback](#types-of-lines) settings.
The name of the section below varies depending on the type of line. But it will have two tabs marked **Style** and **Text**:
### Style tab
Clicking on the **Style** tab allows you to set the properties of the line itself:
* **Line type:** Choice of straight, hooked, angle-hooked, T-style hooked, line arrow or filled arrow.
* **Hook height / Arrow height / Arrow width:** Adjust the height of the hook or the dimensions of the arrowhead.
* **Thickness:** Adjust the thickness of the line (and any hooks or line arrowheads applied).
* **Style:** Choice of solid, dashed or dotted line.
* **Dash / Gap:** Adjust the appearance if 'Dashed' is selected.
### Text tab
Clicking on the **Text** tab allows you to apply and position any text associated with the line:
* **Beginning text:** Specify the text, if any, to appear at the beginning of the line.
* **Text when continuing to a new system:** If the line spans more than one system, this is the text that will appear before the line on each system after the first one.
* **End text:** Text to appear at the end of the line.
* **Offset:** Adjust the position of the text relative to the line (in [sp.](/formatting/page-layout-concepts.md#staff-space-spatium)).
* **Gap between text and line:** Adjust both the amount of space from beginning text to the start of the line and end text to the end of the line.
## Line style
See [Templates and styles](/customization/templates-and-styles.md).
Use the Style dialog (**Format -> Style...**) to set certain global properties for lines. The relevant pages within the dialog are **Voltas**, **Ottavas**, **Pedal lines**, **Trill lines**, **Vibrato lines**, **Glissandos and note-anchored lines**, **Text lines**, **System text lines**, and **Text styles**. In the latter, you can edit the default text style for each line type.
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