How can I alternate quavers and rests in such a way, that the beam connects the notes bridging the rest?

Currently this can only be achieved with a bit of magic: Type three notes and format the middle note as invisible and mute. Now insert the rest as a graphic symbol over the - invisible - middle note. If this configuration is required regularly, you can copy it and adapt it via transposition.

Alternatively you can adjust individual notes with O or P and the arrow keys. There is also a suitable script on Mr Becker's website. More.

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