Re: Beam positions and time signature spacing

[Kieren MacMillan]

> Not sure which practice you hate: slurs or beams? For myself, a singer who 
> sings for 10s of hours a week, I like slurs to indicate melisma and think 
> beaming for the same purpose is irritating in the extreme.

Sorry, I was definitely unclear: I, like you, intensely dislike the practice of 
beaming to indicate melisma (and the concomitant independent flags accompanying 
syllabic writing).

Lyric extensions — properly engraved (I’m looking at you, Finale and 
Sibelius!!!) — are absolutely non-negotiable.

Slurs are somewhat more a matter of taste, in that extensions *can* be 
sufficient hinting.
I myself prefer to use slurs as a composer/engraver, and see them as a 
singer/conductor.

Cheers,
Kieren.