Normally, Finale beams 16th notes (and notes of smaller value) according to the time signature. In , they’re grouped in quarter-note units; in , they’re grouped in half-note units. Eighth notes are beamed in groups of 4. See Document Options-Beams to change this setting for eighth notes.

Occasionally, you may find it useful to break this rule. You may want to create a section of music in time, but whose eighth notes are grouped (for example) in patterns of 3, 3, and 2.

To create custom beaming patterns 

1. Click the Time Signature tool , and double-click the measure where you want the meter to change. The Time Signature dialog box appears.
2. Using the two scroll bars, specify the beaming pattern you want. If you want eighth notes beamed in groups of 3, 3, and 2, click Composite, and enter “3+3+2” in the top box (and 8 in the bottom box). See Time signatures for further instructions in using the Time Signature Tool.
3. Click OPTIONS. The dialog box expands.
4. Select Use a Different Time Signature For Display. Using the lower set of scroll bars, specify the time signature you want to appear in the score. If you’ve specified a “beaming signature” using the upper scroll bars, you could enter as the display meter. Or if you’ve specified a beaming pattern of , you could set the lower scroll bars to or .
5. Using the Measure ___ Through ___ (or Through End of Piece) text boxes, specify the range of measures you want affected by the time signature/beaming patterns.
6. Click OK (or press ENTER).

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