Should a lyrics extension line (underscore) be used on tied notes?
I get that extension lines (undercores) are used where one syllable at the end of a word extends over multiple notes. But is this also true when the notes are tied together?
In other words: Is one of the below notations more correct than the other, and why?
Alternative 1:
Alternative 2:
(1)1 Comments
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Alternative 2 is correct. Some references:
www.ancientgroove.co.uk/essays/engraving.html:
Word extensions should run from the final syllable of a word and stop
at a point aligning with the right hand edge of the last note to which
that syllable is sung.
archive.org/details/preparingmusicma00dona Page 86:
The extension of words through the duration of several tied notes or
notes of varying pitch is shown by a solid line extending along the
type line...
lilypond.org/doc/v2.19/Documentation/learning/aligning-lyrics-to-a-melody:
If a syllable extends over several notes or a single very long note an
extender line is usually drawn from the syllable extending under all
the notes for that syllable.
musescore.org/en/handbook/lyrics
A melisma is a syllable or word that extends over two or more notes.
It is indicated by an underline extending from the base of a syllable
to the last note of the melisma.
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