When Additional Score Options is selected in the Advanced preferences pane, you can add grace notes and other independent notes to a score. Independent notes are notes that aren’t included in the automatic rhythmic (and graphic) display calculation of a measure, but are still played back via MIDI.
Independent: Displayed at their original length, as long as they are binary or dotted note values that can be displayed as a single (not tied) note. After insertion, you can change the stem direction, enharmonic interpretation, accidental distance, and note head, using the Note Attributes functions. For more information, see Note attributes overview.
Independent grace: Always displayed as miniature eighth notes, with a slash across the stem, and a tie. The tie direction, stem direction, enharmonic interpretation, accidental distance, and note head can be changed.
Both types of independent notes appear only as single notes, without beams.
Select the notes, then choose Functions > Note Attributes > Independent > Independent from the Score Editor menu bar, or use the corresponding key command.
Choose Functions > Note Attributes > Independent > Not Independent to convert independent notes back to regular notes.
Select the notes, then choose Functions > Note Attributes > Independent > Independent Grace from the Score Editor menu bar, or use the corresponding key command.
Choose Functions > Note Attributes > Independent > Not Independent to convert independent notes back to regular notes.
Hold down Option while selecting a note in the Part box, then drag it to the desired position.
Grace notes cannot be inserted directly. They need to be created by converting regular or independent notes.
Important: In most situations, you will need to create additional space between the grace note and the note it’s associated with. The best way to do this is with the Layout tool, which can be used to move the main note away from the grace note. For information, see Position items graphically in the Score Editor.
Tip: If you want to create beamed grace notes, try using a polyphonic staff style with no rests displayed for the second voice. Assign the grace notes to the second voice, and resize them with the Resize tool. See Add and delete staffs or voices for more information on staff styles.