Slur position relative to tie chains

There are different conventions for the position of slurs relative to tie chains in music for modern use and historical editions.

Modern practice is for slurs to start on the first note in tie chains, and end on the last note in tie chains. This makes the full length of the phrase visually clear to the performer, which helps their performance.

Figure: Slur ending on the last note in a tie chain

Figure: Slur starting from the first note in a tie chain

However, in historical editions, slurs might end on the first note in a tie chain, and start on the last note in a tie chain. Both of these changes save vertical space, as shorter slurs do not extend as far above or below a staff.

Figure: Slur ending on the first note in a tie chain

Figure: Slur starting on the last note in a tie chain

You can choose whether all slurs start on the first/last note in tie chains, and end on the first/last note in tie chains, on the Slurs page in Engrave > Engraving Options. There are different options for slurs between normal notes and slurs starting on grace notes.