# Other lines
## Overview
A **line** is a type of object capable of anchoring to a [horizontal continuous range](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/selecting-elements#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 (a simple general purpose, straight line) ([jump to section](#standard-lines))
* Lines with arrowheads ([jump to section](#lines-with-arrowheads))
* [Slurs](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/expressive-markings/slurs-and-ties)
* Staff text lines and System text lines ([jump to section](#staff-and-system-text-lines))
* [Hairpins](https://github.com/shoogle/Handbook/blob/main/docs/notation/expressive-markings/broken-reference/README.md) and crescendo/decrescendo lines
* Tempo lines, such as *ritardando* ([jump to section](#tempo-lines}))
* [Voltas](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/repeats/voltas) (brackets on top of repeated sections)
* [Pedal](https://handbook.musescore.org/idiomatic-notation/keyboard/pedal) markings
* [Octave lines](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/pitch/octave-lines) (i.e. 8va)
* Trill lines ([jump to section](#trill-lines))
* [Arpeggios](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/expressive-markings/arpeggios-and-glissandos)
* [Glissandi](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/expressive-markings/arpeggios-and-glissandos) (slides) and portamento between notes
* Upprall, Downprall, Prallprall lines
* Guitar-related lines ([jump to section](#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](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/pitch/ambitus) (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](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/expressive-markings/arpeggios-and-glissandos) (brass or guitar articulations)
* [Ties](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/entering-notes-and-rests#ties)
* [Tremolo and rolls](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/expressive-markings/tremolos-and-rolls)
* Single note [ornaments](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/expressive-markings/ornaments) such as turns, (short) trills and mordents
* (Staff) [Brackets](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/instruments-staves-and-systems/brackets) and curly braces
* [Barlines](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/rhythm-meter-and-measures/barlines)
* 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](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/instruments-staves-and-systems/staff-part-properties).
{% 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](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/slurs-and-ties#adding-a-slur), or
* The **Lines** and **Guitar** [palettes](https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/palettes).
To apply a line to a [selected range](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/selecting-elements#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](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/adjusting-elements-directly#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](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/adjusting-elements-directly#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](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/properties-panel) panel. The height and width of the arrowhead may also be adjusted.
### Staff and System Text lines
A staff text line, like [staff text](https://handbook.musescore.org/text/staff-system-and-expression-text), is affixed to one staff in a system, and is indicative *only* for that staff. It appears only in [parts](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/parts) featuring that staff.
A system text line, like [system text](https://handbook.musescore.org/text/staff-system-and-expression-text), 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](https://handbook.musescore.org/text/tempo-markings "mention").
### Guitar-related lines
These lines are available in the **Guitar** palette:
* **Barré lines:** Used to indicate fret positions. See [#adding-a-barre-line-to-your-score](https://handbook.musescore.org/idiomatic-notation/guitar/guitar-techniques#adding-a-barre-line-to-your-score "mention").
* To create a **Fingering/String number-line**:
* **Vibrato:** You can change the shape of the line in the **Vibrato** section of the [Properties](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/properties-panel) 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](https://handbook.musescore.org/text/fingering) 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](https://handbook.musescore.org/notation/expressive-markings/ornaments). 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](https://handbook.musescore.org/sound-and-playback/soundfonts) and [musesounds](https://handbook.musescore.org/sound-and-playback/musesounds "mention"). 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.
## Line properties
The [Properties panel](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/properties-panel) allows you to view and edit [General](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/properties-panel#general), [Appearance](https://handbook.musescore.org/basics/properties-panel#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.](https://handbook.musescore.org/formatting/page-layout-concepts#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](https://handbook.musescore.org/customization/templates-and-styles).
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.
