Brackets: Notes

This entry contains information on creating a bracket ([) used to indicate that several notes are to be played with the same hand (piano music) or by a divisi orchestral section (string music). For information on brackets that connect staves, see Brackets: Staves. For information on triplet (and other tuplet) brackets, see Tuplets.

A bracket that encloses a group of notes is created as an expression in the Shape Designer.

To create a note bracket, use the Smart Shape Tool.

To create a note bracket

1. Click the Smart Shape tool  .
2. OPTION-click the Custom Line Tool  . The Smart Line Designer dialog box appears.
3. Click Create.  
4. Set the desired thickness (you might try 0.0215 inches).  
5. In the End Point section, for Start and End, select Hook.  
6. Enter the desired hook length (you might try 0.04167) inches.  
7. Click OK and then Select.
8. Double-click and drag to create a Smart Shape bracket in the desired location.

Hold down SHIFT, and then double-click and drag up or down to create a vertical bracket. The direction of the hooks depend on whether you drag up or down.

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