guidance on adding rests

• Jul 22, 2014 - 21:52

I would be grateful if a kind soul could guide me on adding rests to a piece of music; the time is 4/4 and the bar is to be silent; till the final quaver; I apologise: I cannot despite reading guides work out how to create a 2/4 then a 1/4 and a quaver equivalent rest; before I insert the final quaver of the bar


Comments

Hi there,

Sorry you're having trouble.

If you wish to enter a rest with the mouse enter Note Entry mode by clicking the N button (or simple press the N key) select the time value you require the rest to be then select the rest button which you should find towards the right end of the bottom row of the note entry palette.

Click the mouse on the bar and the rest will be entered.

An easier option is make sure you are not in Note Entry mode (press Escape a few times to make sure) then select the rest in the bar that you want to change. Click the note value in the palette that you wish the full bar rest to change to and you will find that you will now have 2 rests in the bar, the first of the time value selected and the second making up the time value of the rest of the bar. Click the second rest and repeat the process if you need to.

YOu can also enter rests with the computer keyboard, using the number keys from 1 to 9 to select time values from 64th to longa. Simply select the time value you require with the number keys which will be shown on the note entry palette. If you have a rest selected in the score it will change to the time value equvalent to the number you pressed, but if you are in Note Entry mode you will need to press the 0 key to enter it.

HTH
Michael

In reply to by pdc_2

My advice is to get used to using the keyboard. Whether you play piano, trumpet or violin, your fingers will already have learned many complex movements. Same for MuseScore - get your fingers trained to inputting notes and rests and it's (eventually) almost as easy as playing it on an instrument.

For your rests in this case:
6 0 5 0 4 0
(Half note, insert a rest; quarter note, insert a rest; eighth note, insert a rest).
Then just enter the note (it remembers that you most recently wanted eighth notes).

You will find that this sort of rest entry is common. You will then find other rest combinations and will work out ways to make it easier to enter them. Your fingers (those on the right hand if you're using a standard PC keyboard) will learn. You will speed up your score creation. You will post your score on MuseScore.org. You will get chosen to write the soundtrack for the next Stephen Spielberg blockbuster etc.

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