Create slash notation

Updated 9 jare ago
This page shows old instructions for MuseScore 1.
For MuseScore 4 users, see Create slash notation.

If you want to write sheet music for a Jazz ensemble, Big Band, or other group performing improvisation, you may want to use "slash notation".
To do this, you can either perform the steps below or simply use the slash notation plugin . Only use the steps below if you really cant install the plugin (possibly because you aren't allowed to install the plugin or if installation fails).
This kind of notation is used to indicate when a solist is supposed to play a solo. It looks like this:
forward slashes show when to solo
As seen in the picture above, you can still add chord symbols and dynamics to the slashed bars.

In the current version of MuseScore, the process of creating slash notation is a bit complicated and involves the following steps:

  1. Fill a whole bar with quarter notes. They should be placed on the middle line of the stave. If your meter consists of an uneven number of eighth notes, use eighths instead.
  2. Select all those notes by selecting the whole bar. Then right click directly on one of the selected notes.
    In the resulting menu select the "Note Properties" entry.
  3. Now you will see something like this:

    before

  4. You have to change some entries now.
    • Check the "stemless" checkbox on top to make the stem disappear.
    • Under "Note Properties", select "slash" as "Note Head Group".
    • Now you have to silence the note so it does not disturb playback. You can do this by selecting "user" as "velocity type" and "1" as velocity value. This step is optional, but highly recommended.
      (Note: setting the velocity to 1 makes the cursor treat it as a note. If value is 0, cursor just jumps over it during playback.)

      This is how your window should look now:

      after

  5. Click "OK" and you are done!