Time Signatures

• Nov 1, 2016 - 05:36

The first thing I would like to have in the next version of MuseScore is a 7/8 Time Signature, which isn't present in the current MuseScore. If I remember correctly, I don't think 9/8 is either.

Also, I'd appreciate it if we could do the whole 1+3/8 kind of time signatures again, you know, like they did back in the ragtime days, in order to let players know more accurately how to play, accent-wise.

Thanks!

Comments

• Nov 1, 2016 - 06:06

You can already make up any time signature that is not on the default list. See: https://musescore.org/en/handbook/time-signature

For your second example you right click the original time signature (in this case 4/4). Select time signature properties and edit the section top right called "appearance": substitute 3+1 for the first 4 you see there.

These are rarely used signatures that are not on the default list so users don't need to pick out the desired signature from too many choices.

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• Nov 1, 2016 - 19:14

Also, I'm not sure what you mean about 1+3/8 - I've never seen such a thing in the dozens of ragtime I've seen or played. I guess maybe you want to write in 4/4 but customize how the beaming works? if so, that is also explained in the Handbook under "Time signatures" (see also "Beams"). As mentioned, you can also have the time signature display that way, but unless you are copying some manuscript that used than non-standard notation, I wouldn't try to confuse players by introducing it when 4/4 does the job.

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• Nov 19, 2016 - 13:21

It may be that 3+1 is about the placement of the minor accent rather than just the beaming: 4/4 is TA ta Ta ta, 3+1/4 may be TA ta ta Ta. I never saw 3+1/4 in my life but I do seem to remember 3+2/4 where it is pretty clear that the internal rhythmic organization of the measure was indicated.

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