This is handbell music so middle C is C5. In this excerpt the D#5 is far enough away from the C5 that a less experienced performer could easily conclude they are not played together.
I saw a notation option for “dotted and undotted unisons in opposing voices” that allows putting the dotted note to the right. But this isn’t a unison. What might I do to put the dotted note to appear closer to the note that is to sound at the same time?
right-click>Voices>Swap voice order does the same without you worrying about voice indices.
The Handbell Musicians of America notation guide says that any notes above C#5 (Middle C) are supposed to be displayed in the treble clef (top) staff. Perhaps moving the D#5 notes to the treble clef could help with this issue?
The HMA rule is for handbell choir music, a rule I know well. This is handbell quartet music where the rule does not apply. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
While it may not be harmonically accurate (and that it might be confusing for some bell players) (it looks like part of a diminished chord), would it be possible to use the enharmonic spelling of Eb? That would allow it to be in the same voice column. (Another choice would be to use B# instead of C-natural….)
— Jim
