How exactly are you setting the tempo? Expression Tool or Playback Controls?

Thanks for your quick response! Did it two different ways - one through the setup wizard, the other through the expression tool. Even the setup menu didn't work right at first. After awhile, for some unknown reason, it started to play back correctly. Which is puzzling, but great. 

One more question. In this same piece I have a couple of scattered 4/4 measures mixed in with the overall 7/8. How do I indicate that the eighth note duration is constant?  

You could, instead of using 4/4, use 8/8 if you think the pulse/beat would be confusing. You could also put in as an expression "*1/8 note symbol* = *1/8 note symbol*" for the first 4/4 bar. But if your tempo marking indicates the 1/8 note, I think that's enough to understand what's going on.

Good ideas! I tried to use the 1/8 note=1/8 note in expressions, and it just garbled. I probably didn't do it right!

uh ... sorry, if my suggestion was a bit unclear.

With the "Tempo Marks" Expression category, you can insert note durations. Create a new expression in this category, find the "insert note" button, find the 1/8 note and go from there.

Actually you were clear. That was the process I used when I got the garbled response. This particular file has been a problem from the beginning. In addition to the other things I have mentioned, I can't get it to accept notes in the piano staff. I added chords above the vocals - does that somehow mess up other things? Would I be able to copy and paste it into a new file, without bringing the problems with it?

Yeah that's odd, alright. If it IS just the file, copying the music into a new file should work (I've done it before). If that doens't work, I suspect it could be a Preference File issue. It's the most annoying thing about Finale—one that should be high on their list of things to fix.

You should put the chord symbols above the piano staff, though; it's easier for the pianist.

Somehow your reply didn't come to my inbox.....

After multiple problems - all I mentioned before, plus others - I decided to paste into a new document, and everything is fine. Thank you for the encouragement! One question - is there a way to avoid this in the future, or is it something that is just going to happen from time to time? As far as I know I didn't do anything unusual in this file. The only thing that is different than any others I have produced is that it's mostly in 7/8, with a few random 4/8 measures thrown in from time to time.

Whatever - thanks for your help!

Kathy,

It sounds like your file became corrupted. It's hard to say how this happened, especially since this sounds like it was a new document, but it can happen. Copying and pasting into a new document can fix this but I recommend using a MusicXML export/import as this will avoid copying over any of the problematic information. You can also feel free to use the Submit a Request button and send a document like this into us for a closer look if need be.