Rests (Speedy Entry)
You can edit, create, and move rests by using either the Simple Entry or Speedy Entry tools. You can change any existing note into a rest, or change the duration of any rest. See also Multimeasure rests, Speedy Entry, and Whole rests.
To move a rest vertically or horizontally
- Choose the Speedy Entry tool
; click the measure in question. The editing frame appears.
- Click the rest. You can also use the arrow keys to position the insertion bar.
Make sure you’re in the layer containing the rest. If not, switch layers using the layer selection popup menu in the lower left corner of the PrintMusic window.
- To move the rest horizontally, simply drag it. Press SHIFT to prevent it from moving vertically.
- Drag the rest up or down. When it’s where you want it, press zero (0) to exit the editing frame. If you want to make sure you don’t inadvertently drag the rest horizontally, press SHIFT as you drag.
- Note that if you’re using the layer mechanism, you can move all rests in one layer (or all) a specified distance up or down from their default center-line position (see Multiple voices for a more complete discussion).
To add a rest
- Choose the Speedy Entry tool ; click the target measure. The editing frame appears.
- Press a number key (for non-MIDI, press OPTION+SHIFT+1-8). A rest appears of the duration corresponding to the number key you pressed, as shown below.
(If a note appears instead of a rest, even though you’re using MIDI, it’s because Speedy > Use MIDI Device isn’t selected. Use the arrow keys to position the insertion bar on the notehead and press CLEAR (or press SHIFT+DELETE); this turns it into a rest.) If you want to insert a rest between existing notes, use the Insert mode. Press Shift-I to turn the Insert mode on or off.
To change a rest’s duration
- Choose the Speedy Entry tool ; click the target measure. The editing frame appears.
- Click the rest. You can also use the arrow keys to position the cursor.
- Press the number key corresponding to the desired new duration. The rest changes to the specified duration.
To change a rest to a note
- Choose the Speedy Entry tool ; click the target measure. The editing frame appears.
- Click the rest. You can also use the arrow keys to position the insertion bar.
- Press RETURN. The rest becomes a note of the same duration.
To change a single note to a rest
- Choose the Speedy Entry tool ; click the target measure. The editing frame appears.
- Click the note. You can also use the arrow keys to move the cursor.
- Press CLEAR (or press SHIFT+DELETE). The note becomes a rest of the same duration.
Note: To change a chord to a rest, place the cursor on the stem of the chord.
