Tempo markings
Overview
A variety of tempo markings/marks may be found in the Tempo palette. These include
- Metronome marks:
- Text indications: Andante, Allegro etc.
- Metric modulations:
- Tempo change lines: rall., accel. etc.
Metronome marks, text, and metric modulations modify the tempo of score playback once from the point at which they are applied. Tempo change lines work with the existing tempo and vary it over a range of notes.
If required, you can override the written tempo temporarily using the Playback panel.
A tempo mark is a form of system text; it appears above the top stave but applies to all staves in the system.
Adding a tempo mark to your score
To add a metronome mark, tempo text or metric modulation to the score, use one of the following methods:
- Select one or more notes/rests and click on a tempo symbol in a palette.
- Drag a tempo symbol from a palette onto a note/rest.
- From the menu bar, select Add→Text, and click on Tempo marking.
To add a tempo change line, use the same method as for lines.
Using metronome markings
A metronome mark consists of a musical note indicating the duration of the beat, an equals sign, then a number showing the beats per minute (bpm). So the following mark
indicates a tempo of 80 quarter notes (crotchets) per minute, and so on.
Using text markings
The Tempo palette also contains text markings, such as Andante, Allegro etc. The background tempo can be read off in the Tempo section of the Properties palette.
Changing appearance of tempo markings
Tempo markings can be edited just like any other text object: see Entering and editing text.
To edit the appearance of Tempo change lines, see line properties.
Changing playback of tempo markings
Metronome marks
You are free to change the tempo number as required.
Tempo text
You can override the written tempo by unchecking "Follow written tempo" in the Tempo section of the Properties panel, and setting a new tempo in the "Override written tempo" box.
Metric modulations
If the note value relationship you require is not part of an existing metric modulation, you can customise the note values as follows:
- Add a metric modulation to the score from the Tempo palette
- Highlight the note in the metric modulation that you wish to change
- Open the Special characters palette
- Click on the note/dot in the "Common symbols" tab that you wish to insert.
Tempo change lines
You can set the Tempo "Change amount" and "Easing method" in the Playback: General section of the Properties panel.
Easing Methods
Normal: a linear transition effect with the same rate of change from start to end
Ease in: a transition effect with a slow change rate at the start but a quicker change rate at the end
Ease out: a transition effect with a quick change rate at the start but a slow change rate at the end
Repeating tempo markings on other staves
Tempo text always appears on the top staff of the system. If you need to see it on lower staves as well, use staff text and insert the beat note as a special character.
Tempo properties
Tempo markings(s) on a score has individual settings editable in Properties panel
See also Changing playback of tempo markings.
Tempo style
Values of the "Style for Tempo text" can be edited in Format→Style→Tempo text.
Values of the "Style for text inside Tempo" can be edited in Format→Style→Text styles→Tempo
Values of the "Style for text inside Gradual Tempo Change" can be edited in Format→Style→Text styles→Gradual Tempo Change
