Open the Custom Line tool. Select the line with brackets at both ends. Duplicate it, and Edit. Uncheck the box for Horizontal.

Now, you can drag it vertically, or even at an angle. Hold the shift key to constrain it to vertical.

You could also create it as an expression.

There are bracket symbols you can use to make articulations. They're in the Engraver Font.

You certainly can. That way, you would need a couple of sizes, while, with the custom line, you only need one, and stretch to fit.

Both ways work fine, though.

Thanks for this! The custom line seems perfect. And stretchable.

I have all three sizes of brackets facing left and right in my template. The one advantage of using articulations, is if you are copying dynamics and hairpins from staff to staff, the smart shape brackets will be effected. If you use articulations, they won't be touched by the filter.

To Mike Rosen - I have followed the instructions in your original response to Robert, i.e. gone into Smart Shape Options, selected Custom Line double bracketed line, duplicated, edited by unticking the "horizontal" box. But when I then select the line to put into my score, it refuses to do anything other than stay horizontal!! I've obviously missed something and would appreciate it greatly if you could point me in the right direction! Thank you so much!

Are you sure you selected the edited line, and not the original one? After you have edited, when you go back to the score, if you just click on the line in the smart shape pallet, you will get the regular one. You have to go into the custom line box to select the new one.

Yes, I have selected the edited line in the custom line box but when I go back to the score and click to "draw" the line, it stays resolutely horizontal, whether I press the shift key or not. And also, all I'm getting is a plain line, no hooks at each end which is the edited bracketed line I have selected. It's a mystery to me. But thank you so much for your help. I will keep on trying. Maybe even reboot the old Mac!!

If you created a Custom Line, you need to choose the custom line tool (by clicking on it rather than by CTRL+Clicking on it as you did when you created the custom line.

Marcia,

If you drop me an email, maybe we can set up a phone call or Zoom, and we’ll get it figured out.

My email is encoded in my signature below.

Thank you Mike!! I have emailed you. 

All fixed. She was trying to do it via the SmartShape options, rather than the Custom Line options.

Everybody happy!