Published on Musescore (https://musescore.org)

Notation

In the previous →"Basics" chapter you learned how to enter notes and interact with the palettes. The "Notation" chapter describes the different types of notation in more detail, including more advanced music notation.

See also →"Advanced topics".

Barlines

    A range of barline symbols for most ordinary purposes can be found in the Barlines palette (Basic workspace); repeat barlines, only, are also available in the Repeats & Jumps palette (Basic and Advanced). Additional symbols can be found in the Barlines palette of the Advanced workspace. It is also possible to create your own custom barlines (see below).

    Barlines palette in the Advanced workspace

    Change barline type

    To change an existing barline, use one of the following:

    • Select a barline, or measure, then double click an icon in the Barlines palette.
    • Drag an icon from the Barlines palette onto a barline, or a measure, in the score.
    • Select an existing barline, then adjust "Style" in the "Barline" section of the Inspector.

    To change a non-single to a single barline:

    • Select the barline and press Del.

    To hide a barline:

    • Select the line and press V, or uncheck Visible in the Inspector.

    Insert barline

    To insert a new barline between existing ones, either:

    • Drag an icon from the Barlines palette onto a note or rest.
    • Select a note or rest, then double-click an icon in the Barlines palette.

    Split a measure

    You can insert a barline in order split a measure. Use one of the following methods:

    • Press Ctrl (Mac Cmd) and drag the line to the first note of the new measure.
    • Select the first note of the new measure and press Ctrl (Mac Cmd) while you double click a barline.

    Note: As of version 3.1 (or earlier), all barlines entered this way are entered as Normal Barlines. See also Split a measure.

    Custom barlines

    It is possible to create custom barlines by selecting one or more barlines, and adjusting the properties in the "Barlines" section of the Inspector:

    • Style: Chose from a range of preset barlines.
    • Span to next staff: joins the selected barline to the barline in the staff below.
    • Span from: Sets the position of the top of the barline. "0" is the top staff line. Positive numbers start lower down the staff, negative numbers above.
    • Span to: Sets the position of the bottom of the barline (see "Span from").
    • Span presets: Use the buttons to apply preset customized barlines.

    See also Mensurstrich.

    Changes to color and horizontal/vertical offset can also be made in the Inspector.

    Connect barlines

    Barlines may extend over multiple staves, as in the grand staff of a piano, or in an orchestral score to join instruments in the same section. To join barlines:

    1. Double-click on a barline to enter Edit mode.

      Barline edit mode

    2. Click on the lower blue handle and drag it down to the staff you wish to connect to. The handle snaps into position so there is no need to position it exactly.

    3. Press Esc to exit edit mode. This will update all other relevant barlines as well.

      Connected barlines

    See also

    • Measure operations
    • Repeats and jumps for information on repeat barlines
    • Add fermata to barline

    Clefs

      Commonly used Clefs (Treble, Bass, Alto, Tenor) can be found in the Clefs palette in the Basic workspace. For a more complete range, see the Clefs palette in the Advanced workspace (see image below).

      Clefs palette (Advanced workspace)

      Add a clef

      Add clef to beginning of measure

      Method 1: Add clef to beginning of a measure, whether or not it is the first measure in a system

      • Select a measure and double-click a clef symbol in the palette, OR
      • Drag a clef from the palette onto a measure.

      Method 2: To change the clef at the start of a system

      • Select the existing clef at the beginning of the system and double-click a new clef from the palette, OR
      • Drag a new clef from the palette directly onto the existing clef.

      Add mid-measure clef

      • Click on a note, then double-click a clef in the palette.

      Note: If the clef is not the first in the system, it will be drawn smaller.

      In this image, the top staff starts with a treble clef and switches immediately to bass clef, then after a note and a rest, changes back to treble clef.

      Mid-measure clef changes

      Note: Changing a clef does not change the pitch of any note. Instead, the notes move to preserve pitch. If you want, you can use Transposition in conjunction with a clef change.

      Courtesy clefs

      When a clef change occurs at the beginning of a system, a courtesy clef will be generated at the end of the previous system.

      To show or hide all courtesy clefs:

      1. From the menu, select Format→Style...→Page;
      2. Check/uncheck "Create courtesy clefs."

      It is also possible to show/hide courtesy clefs on a case-by-case basis:

      1. "Create courtesy clefs" should already be ticked in the "General" menu (see above);
      2. Select a clef and tick/untick "Show courtesy" in the Inspector.

      Remove a clef

      • Select a clef and press Del.

      Hide clefs

      Display clef only in the first measure (for all staves)

      1. From the menu, select Format→Style...→ Page;
      2. Uncheck "Create clef for all systems."

      Display clef only in the first measure (for a particular staff)

      1. Right click on the staff (Mac: Ctrl-click) , select Staff properties... and uncheck "Show clef;"
      2. Open the master palette and select the "Symbols" section;
      3. Drag and drop a clef from the master palette onto the first measure of the staff; OR select the first note and double-click a clef in the master palette.

      Note: This option may be useful to TAB users who do not want the clef to repeat on every subsequent line.

      Hide all clefs in a particular staff

      1. Right click on the staff (Mac: Ctrl-click) , and select Staff properties...;
      2. Uncheck "Show clef."

      Key signatures

        Standard key signatures are available in the Key Signatures palette in the Basic or Advanced workspaces. It is also possible to create custom key signatures (below).

        Key Signatures palette (Advanced workspace)

        Add a new key signature

        Add new key signature to all staves

        Use any of the following methods:

        • Drag a key signature from the palette onto an empty part of a measure.
        • Select a measure and double-click a key signature in the palette.
        • Select a note and double-click a key signature in a palette.

        Add new key signature to one staff only

        If you wish to change the key signature of only one staff line, leaving others unchanged:

        • Press Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) and hold while you drag a key signature from a palette onto a measure.

        Replace an existing key signature

        Replace key signature for all staves

        Use any of the following methods:

        • Drag a key signature from the palette onto the key signature to be replaced (or onto the measure containing the key signature).
        • Select the key signature to be replaced, and double-click a new key signature in a palette.

        Replace key signature for one staff only

        If you wish to replace the key signature of only one staff, leaving others unchanged:

        • Press Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) and hold while you drag a key signature from a palette onto the key signature to be replaced (or onto the measure containing the key signature).

        Remove a key signature

        Use any of the following methods:

        • Click on an existing key signature and press Del.
        • Drag the empty key signature ("open/atonal") from the palette (in the advanced workspace) onto the measure.

        Naturals on key signature changes

        By default, MuseScore only shows cancelling naturals when the key signature changes to that of C Major/A minor (no sharps or flats). In all other cases, it simply shows the new key signature without cancellations:

        Default key signature changes

        However, you can opt to display cancelling naturals for all key signature changes:

        1. From the menu, select Format → Style... → Accidentals. You'll see the options:

          Dialog: Format / Style... / Accidentals

        2. Select one of the three options.

        3. If you are in a part and want the new option to apply to all parts, click on Apply to all parts.
        4. Click OK to exit.

        For example, selecting the option "Before key signature if changing to fewer ♯ or ♭" gives:

        Naturals before key signature

        And the option "After key signature if changing to fewer ♯ or ♭. Before if changing between ♯ and ♭" gives:

        Naturals before and after key signature

        Key signature changes and multi-measure rests

        Multi-measure rests are interrupted if there is change of key signature:

        Example with multi-measure rests

        Courtesy key signatures

        To turn off the display of a particular courtesy key signature:

        • Select the relevant key signature and untick "Show courtesy" in the "Key Signature" section of the Inspector.

        To turn off the display of all courtesy key signatures:

        • From the menu, select Format → Style... → Page, and untick "Create courtesy key signatures."

        Note: Courtesy key signatures are not displayed at section breaks.

        Custom key signatures

        To create a custom key signature:

        1. Press Shift+K to display the Key signatures section of the Master palette.

          Master Palette: Key signatures

        2. In the Create Key signature panel, drag accidentals from the palette onto the staff above to create the desired key signature. Note: The treble clef is only decorative—custom key signatures for any type of staff can be created here.

        3. Use the Clear button, if required, to remove all accidentals from the "staff."
        4. To move the new key signature into the library (center panel), press Add. To delete a key signature from the library, right-click it (Mac: Ctrl-click) and, in the drop-down menu, select Delete.

        Note: A limitation of custom key signatures is that they cannot be transposed in the usual way. If a transposition is needed, or where there is a clef change, you will need to create a new custom key signature.

        To move a key signature from the Master palette to a custom palette:

        • Drag and drop the key signature onto a palette.

        To apply a key signature to the score directly from the Master palette, use one of the following methods:

        • Select a measure and double-click a key signature in the Master palette.
        • Drag a key signature from the Master palette onto a measure; alternatively, to apply to one staff only, hold Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) while dragging.

        Accidentals

          The most common types of accidentals are provided in the Accidentals toolbar above the score and in the Accidentals palette in the basic workspace
          Accidentals palette (Basic workspace)
          A more comprehensive range can be found in the Accidentals palette in the advanced workspace.

          Add accidental

          Accidentals are automatically added to a note, as appropriate, when you increase or decrease its pitch:

          • ↑: Increase the pitch of a note by one semitone (favors sharps).
          • ↓: Decrease the pitch of a note by one semitone (favors flats).

          To add either (i) a double flat or double sharp, (ii) a courtesy (also known as cautionary or reminder) accidental, or (iii) a non-standard accidental, use one of the following options:

          • Select a note and click on an accidental in the toolbar above the score.
          • Select a note and double-click an accidental in the Accidentals palette (basic or advanced workspace).
          • Drag an accidental from the Accidentals palette on to a note.

          If you wish to add brackets to a cautionary accidental, use one of the following:

          • Select the accidental in the score and double-click the parentheses symbol in the Accidentals palette.
          • Drag the parentheses symbol from the palette onto the accidental.
          • Select the accidental and chose from the Bracket type dropdown in the Inspector.

          If required, accidentals can be deleted by clicking on them and pressing Del.

          Change enharmonic spelling

          To change the enharmonic spelling of a note, or notes, in both written and concert pitch views:

          1. Select a note, or group of notes;
          2. Press J;
          3. Continue pressing J to cycle through the enharmonic equivalents.

          To change the enharmonic spelling in the written pitch view, without affecting the concert pitch view, or vice versa:

          1. Select a note, or group of notes;
          2. Press Ctrl+J (Mac: Cmd+J);
          3. Continue pressing the same combination of keys to cycle through the enharmonic equivalents.

          Note: If the pitches of selected notes are not all the same, the effect may be unpredictable.

          Respell pitches

          • From the menu, select Tools→Respell Pitches.

          See also

          • Key signature: Change

          External links

          • Accidental at Wikipedia
          • Enharmonic at Wikipedia

          Time signatures

            Time signatures can be found in a Palette of the same name in both the Basic and Advanced workspaces.

            Time signature palette

            Add or replace a time signature

            Use any of the following methods:

            • Select a time signature, measure, note or rest, and double-click a time signature in a palette.
            • Drag and drop a time signature from a palette onto a space in a measure, or onto an existing time signature.

            Delete a time signature

            • To delete a time signature in the score, select it and press Del.

            Create a time signature

            If the time signature you require is not available in any of the existing palettes, it can be created as follows:

            1. Press Shift+T to display the Time signatures section of the Master Palette.
            2. Select a time signature to edit in the center panel.
            3. In the Create Time Signature panel, edit the various parameters (numerator, denominator, text, beaming) to get the time signature and properties you want. To restore the default beaming pattern, press Reset.
            4. Press Add to add the newly-created time signature to the center panel. To delete a time signature from the center panel, right-click (Mac: Ctrl-click) on it and select Clear.
            5. Drag and drop the time signature from the Master Palette to the desired score location.

            This can be saved to a custom palette for future use, if desired.

            Time signature properties

            To display the Time Signature Properties dialog:

            • Right-click (Mac: Ctrl-click) on a time signature and select Time Signature Properties….

            Time signature properties

            • Global value: Shows the global time signature and is set automatically when you add a time signature to the score. It is the reference for beats (as shown in the status bar) and tempo markings.
            • Actual value: Shows the time signature associated with a particular staff. This is normally the same as the global time signature, but can be set independently if required. See Local time signatures.
            • Appearance: Allows you to edit the displayed text without affecting the underlying time signature. For an example, see Additive meters.
            • Note Groups: Allows you to change the default beaming of notes associated with a time signature. See Change default beaming.

            Change default beaming

            To adjust note-beaming for a particular time signature:

            1. Right-click (Mac: Ctrl-click) on the time signature and select, Time Signature Properties…;
            2. To break a note beam in the Note Groups panel, click on the note following it. To reset the beam, click in the same place. Alternatively, you can change beaming by dragging a beam icon onto a note, as follows:
              • Start beam at this note.
              • Do not end beam at this note.
              • 1/8th note beam to left of this note.
              • 1/16 note beam to left of this note.

            Checking the box for "Also change shorter notes," means that any beam changes at one level are applied automatically to shorter durations as well. The Reset button cancels any changes made in that session.

            Additive (composite) meters

            Additive (or composite) time signatures are sometimes used to clarify the division of beats within a measure. To create an additive time signature:

            1. Right-click (Mac: Ctrl-click) on a time signature in the score and select Time Signature properties…;
            2. In the Appearance section, adjust the "Text" property as required;
            3. Adjust note beaming in the Note Groups section if required.

            Note: The Time Signatures section of the Master palette also allows you to create additive time signatures (see above).

            Local time signatures

            In certain cases a score may show staves with different time signatures running at the same time. For example, in Bach's 26. Goldberg Variation:

            Bach's 26. Goldberg Variation

            In the above example, the global time signature is 3/4, but the time signature of the upper staff has been set independently to 18/16.

            To set a local time signature for just one staff:

            • Hold down Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) and drag and drop a time signature from a palette onto an empty measure.

            Resize time signature

            • Select one or more time signatures and, in the "Time Signature" section of the Inspector, adjust the "Scale X" (width) and "Scale Y" (height) values.

            Pickup measures and cadenzas

            Occasionally you will need to decrease or increase the duration of a measure without changing the time signature—for example, in a pickup measure (anacrusis) or in a cadenza etc. See Measure operations: Measure duration.

            Time signature changes and breaks

            Multi-measure rests are interrupted when a time signature change occurs. Also, a section break will prevent a courtesy time signature being shown at the end of the previous measure.

            See also

            • Key signature

            External links

            • How To Using Polyrhythm, mixed meters and local time signatures in MuseScore
            • Additive meters at Wikipedia.

            Arpeggios and glissandi

              Arpeggio and Glissando symbols can be found in the "Arpeggios & Glissandi" palette in the advanced workspace. This palette also includes strum arrows, an arpeggio bracket, wind instrument articulations, and slide in/slide out symbols.

              Arpeggios + Glissandi Palette

              Add symbol

              To add an arpeggio, glissando etc. to the score, use one of the following methods:

              • Select one or more notes, then double-click a symbol in a palette.
              • Drag a symbol from a palette onto a note.

              Adjust dimensions

              To adjust the length and height of a symbol:

              • Enter Edit mode for the symbol, and adjust the handles using keyboard shortcuts.

              Custom symbols

              After selecting a symbol, various useful properties can be adjusted in the "Glissando" or "Arpeggio" section of the Inspector.

              Glissando

              • Type: Choose between a straight or wavy line;
              • Show text: Tick this box if you want the symbol to display text. Then set the wording, font-face, font-size and font-style underneath. Note: If there isn't enough room between notes, the text is not displayed;
              • Play: Check/uncheck the box to turn playback on or off.
              • Play style: Chose how the glissando plays back. There are four options: Chromatic, White keys, Black keys, Diatonic;

              Arpeggio

              • Stretch: Increase this to lengthen the duration of the arpeggio.
              • Play: Untick if you don't want the symbol to affect playback.

              If needed for future use, you can save the result in a custom palette.

              Arpeggios

              When an arpeggio or strum arrow is added to the score, it initially spans only one voice. To change the height, see Adjust dimensions (above). Playback of the symbol can be turned on or off in the Inspector.

              Arpeggio spanning two staves

              Glissandi (slides)

              A Glissando or, more informally, a slide, spans two consecutive notes. It may be wavy or straight, with or without text. E.g.

              Glissandi with straight or wiggly lines

              Chord slide

              Adjust start and end points of a glissando

              To move an end handle vertically or horizontally, from one note to the next:

              1. Double-click the symbol to enter edit mode;
              2. Click on the start or end handle:
                • Use Shift+↑↓ to move the handle up or down, from note to note.
                • Use Shift+←→ moves the handle horizontally, from note to note.

              Use this command to create cross-staff glissandi. Or to correct the positions of end handles when applying multiple glissandi to chords.

              Wind instrument articulations

              Fall, Doit, Plop and Scoop symbols are provided. To change the length and curvature, select the symbol, enter edit mode and adjust the handles as described in Edit mode: Lines.

              Slide in/out

              Slide in and Slide out lines can also be found in the "Arpeggios & Glissandi" palette. To edit the length and angle of a line, double-click on it and drag the handle (or use the Inspector or keyboard arrows for finer adjustment).

              External links

              • Arpeggio at Wikipedia
              • Glissando at Wikipedia

              Articulations and ornaments

                A comprehensive set of symbols can be found in the Articulations palette in the Advanced workspace:

                Articulations

                and the Ornaments palette (Advanced workspace):

                Ornaments

                There is also an abbreviated version of Articulations in the Basic workspace.

                Articulations in Basic Worksapce

                Articulations

                Articulations are the symbols added to the score to show how a note or chord is to be played. The principal symbols in this group are:

                • Fermatas
                • Staccato
                • Mezzo-staccato / Portato
                • Staccatissimo
                • Tenuto
                • Sforzato
                • Marcato

                Specialist articulations are also included for bowed and plucked strings, wind instruments etc.

                Ornaments

                Ornaments include:

                • Mordents, Inverted Mordents, Pralltrills
                • Trills
                • Turns
                • Bends

                Note: Appoggiaturas and acciaccaturas can be found in the Grace Notes palette.

                Add articulation/ornament

                Use either of the following methods:

                • Select a note or a range of notes, then double-click a symbol in a palette.
                • Drag a symbol from a palette onto a notehead.

                Add accidental to an ornament

                To apply an accidental to an existing ornament, such as a trill:

                1. Select the note to which the ornament is attached;
                2. Open the Symbols section of the Master palette;
                3. Search for and apply the desired accidental to the score (small accidentals can be found using the search term "figured bass");
                4. Drag the accidental into position (or reposition using keyboard shortcuts or the Inspector).

                Add fermata to a barline

                A fermata can be applied directly to a barline by selecting the barline and double-clicking the fermata from a palette. This does not affect playback though.

                Keyboard shortcuts

                • Toggle Staccato: Shift+S
                • Toggle Tenuto: Shift+N
                • Toggle Sforzato (accent): Shift+V
                • Toggle Marcato: Shift+O
                • Add Acciaccatura (grace note): /

                Keyboard shortcuts can be customized in MuseScore's Preferences.

                Adjust position

                Immediately after adding an articulation or ornament from a palette, the symbol is automatically selected: It can then be moved up or down from the keyboard as follows:

                • Press up/down arrow keys for fine positioning (0.1 sp at a time);
                • Press Ctrl+↑ or Ctrl+↓ (Mac: Cmd+↑ or Cmd+↓) for larger vertical adjustments (1 sp at a time).
                • To flip a symbol to the other side of the note (where applicable), select it and press X.

                To enable adjustments in all directions from the keyboard:

                1. Double click on the symbol to enter Edit mode, or click on it and press Ctrl+E (Mac: Cmd+E) , or right-click (Mac: Ctrl-click) on the symbol and select "Edit element";
                2. Press arrow keys for fine positioning (0.1 sp at a time); or press Ctrl+Arrow (Mac: Cmd+Arrow) for larger adjustments (1 sp at a time).

                You can also change the horizontal and vertical offset values in the Inspector. To position more than one symbol at a time, select the desired symbols and adjust the offset values in the Inspector.

                Note: The symbol can also be repositioned by clicking and dragging, but for more precise control, use the methods above.

                Articulation and ornament properties

                These can be edited from the Articulation section of the Inspector and may include:

                • Placement: Above or below the staff.
                • Direction: Auto / Up / Down.
                • Anchor: Adjust the vertical placement of the symbol.
                • Time stretch: For fermatas, adjust the pause length.
                • Ornament style: Default or Baroque.
                • Play: Turn playback on or off.

                For Bend properties, see Bends.

                You can find additional global style settings for articulations and ornaments under Articulations, Ornaments.

                See also

                • Grace notes

                External links

                • Ornaments at Wikipedia

                Bends

                  A variety of simple and complex (multi-stage) bends can be created with the Bend Tool bend_palette_sym.png, located in the Articulations palette of the Advanced workspace. Any bend applied to the score can be customized in the Bend section of the Inspector.

                  Apply a bend

                  To apply one or more bends to the score, use one of the following options:

                  • Select one or more notes and double-click a bend symbol in the palette.
                  • Drag a bend symbol from the palette on to a note.

                  Edit text and line properties

                  Various font properties, and line thickness, can be edited in the Bend section of the Inspector. Text and line Properties applying to all bends in the score can be edited in Format→Style...→Bend

                  Edit bend properties

                  • Select a bend symbol in the score and press "Properties" in the Bend section of the Inspector.

                    bend properties

                  Preset options are available, if needed, on the left hand side of the Bend properties window. The current bend is represented by a graph consisting of gray lines connected by square, blue nodes (see image above). The slope of the line indicates the type of bend:

                  • Up-slope = Up-bend
                  • Down-slope = Down-bend
                  • Horizontal line = Hold

                  The vertical axis of the graph represents the amount by which the pitch is bent up or down: one unit equals a quarter-tone: 2 units a semitone, 4 units a whole-tone, and so on. The horizontal axis of the graph indicates the length of the bend: each gray line segment extends for 1 space (sp) in the score.

                  A bend is modified by adding or deleting nodes in the graph:

                  • To add a node, click on an empty intersection.
                  • To delete a node, click on it.

                  Adding a node lengthens the bend by 1 sp; deleting a node shortens the bend by 1 sp. The Start and End points of the bend can be moved up and down only.

                  Adjust height

                  The height of the bend symbol is automatically adjusted so that the text appears just above the staff. This height can be adjusted, if necessary, with a workaround:

                  1. Create another note vertically above the note (shortening the line) or below the note (extending the line) at which you want the bend to start.
                  2. Apply the bend to the created note.
                  3. To adjust the height of the bend move this created note vertically so that the bend symbol gets the desired height.
                  4. Drag the bend symbol to the correct position (to the original note).
                  5. Mark the created note invisible and silent (using the Inspector).

                  Adjust position

                  To adjust position use one of the following:

                  • Drag the bend symbol with a mouse.
                  • Click on the symbol and adjust the horizontal and vertical offsets in the Inspector.
                  • Double click on the symbol; or click on it and press Ctrl+E (Mac: Cmd+E); or right-click on the symbol and select "Edit element." Then use the arrow keys for fine positioning (0.1 sp at a time); or Ctrl+Arrow (Mac: Cmd+Arrow) for larger adjustments (1 sp at a time).

                  Custom bends

                  After a bend has been created in the score it can be saved for future use by dragging and dropping the symbol to a palette while holding down Ctrl+Shift (Mac: Cmd+Shift). See Custom Workspace.

                  External links

                  • Bending at wikipedia

                  Beams

                    Multiple notes of less than a quarter note (crotchet) are usually connected with beams. The overall beam pattern is established automatically according to the time signature.

                    Select one or more beams

                    1. To select a single note beam, click on it.
                    2. To select several note beams at the same time, right-click (Mac: Ctrl-Klick) a note beam and select "Select" and then "All Similiar Elements" or "All Similiar Elements in Same Staff".
                    3. If selected in "Select" "More...", a sub-menu will appear, with which the selection can be further refined.

                    Local relayout

                    Adjust automatic note beaming for a time signature

                    • Right-click on the time signature and select Time Signature Properties. Then edit "Note Groups" (see Change default beaming).

                    Change the beaming of individual notes

                    You can overrule the default beaming of any note using beam symbols in the Beam Properties palette of the "Basic" or "Advanced" workspaces:

                    Beam Properties Palette (Advanced workspace)

                    To change one or more note beams (except feathered beams, below), use one of the following methods:

                    • Drag and drop a beam symbol from the Beam Properties palette onto a note in the score.
                    • Select one or more notes in the score and double click the desired symbol in the Beam Properties palette.

                    To apply feathered note beams, use either of the following methods:

                    • Drag and drop a feathered-beam symbol from the Beam Properties palette onto a note beam in the score.
                    • Select one or more note beams in the score, then double click on a feathered-beam symbol in the Beam Properties palette.

                    Notes: (1) Feathered beams may use 2 or 3 lines depending on the tempo and the desired rate of the change; (2) To create a 2-line feathered beam, you need to start with a continuous run of beamed sixteenth notes; (3) To create a 3-line feathered beam, you need to start with continuous run of beamed thirty-second notes; (4) Playback of feathered beams is not supported.

                    Beam symbols and their effects

                    Icon Name Description
                    Beam start If the note is beamed to a previous note, break the beam.
                    Beam middle Create a beam from the selected note to the previous note (if applicable). This applies to Beam 16th sub and Beam 32nd sub as well.
                    No beam Break beams before and after the selected note.
                    Beam 16th sub Start a second level beam at this note.
                    Beam 32nd sub Start a third level beam at this note.
                    Automatic Beam Apply default beaming as determined by the current time signature (see above).
                    Feathered beam, slower Start feathered beam to indicate gradually slower tempo.
                    Feathered beam, faster Start feathered beam to indicate gradually faster tempo.

                    Note: Be aware that the beam between two notes/rests is determined by both of the note/rests. For example: Two consecutive notes with a status of start beam here will not have a beam between them. If the two consecutive notes are willing to connect to each other they will beam, if one of them is not willing, the two notes will not beam.

                    Adjust beam angle

                    To adjust with the keyboard or mouse:

                    1. Enter edit mode on the note beam—the right adjustment handle is automatically selected.
                    2. Use the up/down arrows or drag the right end handle to change the angle of the beam;
                    3. Press Esc to exit edit mode.

                    To adjust with the Inspector:

                    1. Click on a note beam.
                    2. Tick the "User position" box in the "Beam" section of the Inspector;
                    3. Set the "Position" values to get the desired beam angle.

                    Adjust beam height

                    To adjust with the keyboard or mouse:

                    1. Enter edit mode on the note beam—the right adjustment handle is automatically selected.
                    2. Press Shift+Tab or click the left handle to select it;
                    3. Use the up/down arrows or drag the left end handle to change the height of the beam;
                    4. Press Esc to exit edit mode.

                    To adjust with the Inspector:

                    1. Click on a note beam.
                    2. Tick the "User position" box in the "Beam" section of the Inspector;
                    3. Set the "Position" values as desired.

                    Make beam horizontal

                    1. Select a note beam
                    2. Tick the "Force Horizontal" box in the "Beam" section of the Inspector;

                    Note: "Force Horizontal" in the "Beam" section of the Inspector can only be selected if "Custom position" has been deselected previously. This setting overrides the Custom Position values and automatically sets the horizontal bar to its original height.

                    If you want all note beams in the score to be horizontal there is a "Flatten all beams" option in Format→Style…→Beams. If this option is not selected, automatically inclined beams will be set according to the pitch of the connected notes. This global setting can be overridden for individual beams according to the methods described above.

                    Adjust feathered beams

                    To adjust feathered beams:

                    1. Select a note beam.
                    2. Adjust the values in the "Grow left" and "Grow right" boxes in the "Beam" section of the Inspector.

                    Local relayout

                    MuseScore spaces notes according to their time values, allowing for accidentals, lyrics etc. In systems where there is more than one staff, this may result in irregular note spacing, as in the following example:

                    Normal layout

                    Local relayout is a tickbox option in the Inspector allowing you to specify those passages in the score where you want the note spacing to be independent of other staves in the system. Applying "Local relayout" to the note beams in the top staff of the previous example results in a more even distribution of notes:

                    After applying

                    To do a local relayout:

                    1. Select one or more note beams.
                    2. Tick the option Local relayout in the "Beam" section of the Inspector.

                    Flip note beam

                    To flip a beam from above to below the notes, or vice-versa:

                    1. Select one or more note beams.
                    2. Use any of the following options:
                      • Press the X key;
                      • Press the "Flip direction" icon, Flip direction, in the toolbar.
                      • Select a "Direction" option (Auto, Up or Down) in the "Beam" section of the Inspector.

                    Reset Beam Mode

                    To restore beams to the mode defined in the local time signatures:

                    1. Select the section of the score you want to reset. If nothing is selected, the operation will apply to the whole score;
                    2. Select Format→Reset Beams.

                    See also

                    • Cross-staff notation
                    • Edit mode
                    • Note input
                    • Change default beaming

                    External links

                    • How beams work
                    • How to add a beam over a rest
                    • How to place a beam between notes

                    Brackets

                      MuseScore provides brackets and a curly brace in the Brackets palette (Advanced workspace).

                      Brackets Palette

                      When a new score is created using a template, MuseScore automatically sets the correct brackets.

                      Add

                      To add a bracket or brace to systems, use one of two methods:

                      • Drag a bracket/brace icon from a palette on to the staff where you want the bracket/brace to start.
                      • Select a measure on the staff where you want the bracket/brace to start, and double-click the desired icon in a palette.

                      Delete

                      • Select the bracket and press Del.

                      Change

                      • Drag the desired icon from a palette onto an existing bracket/brace in the score.

                      Edit

                      When you first apply a bracket it only spans one staff. To extend to other staves:

                      1. Enter Edit mode.
                      2. Drag the handle downwards to span the required staves. The handle snaps into position, so exact placement is not required.

                      Style

                      The default thickness and distance from the system of brackets and braces can be adjusted in Format→ Style... → System.

                      Brackets Properties

                      In the System Brackets section, you can set the properties for the brackets in the two boxes on the left, and the properties for the braces in the two boxes on the right.

                      Breaths and pauses

                        Breath and pause markings are available in the Breaths & Pauses palette (Advanced workspace).

                        Breaths and pauses palette

                        Add symbol

                        To add a breath, or pause (aka caesura / "tram lines" / "railroad tracks") to the score, use one of the following options:

                        • Select a note or rest and double-click a breath or pause symbol in a palette
                        • Drag a breath or pause symbol from a palette onto a note or rest in the score.

                        The symbol is placed after the note. Its position can be adjusted by editing the X and Y offsets in the Inspector, or, in edit mode, using the arrow keys.

                        Adjust pause length

                        You can adjust the pause length (in seconds) of the added symbol in the Inspector.

                        Grace notes

                          A grace note is a type of musical ornament, usually printed smaller than regular notes. The Short grace note, or Acciaccatura, appears as a small note with a stroke through the stem. The Long grace note, or Appoggiatura, has no stroke.

                          Create grace notes

                          Grace notes can be found in the "Grace notes" palette in the Basic or Advanced workspace.

                          Grace Notes palette (Advanced workspace)

                          Add a grace note

                          Use one of the following methods:

                          • Select a regular note and double click a grace note in a palette;
                          • Drag a grace note symbol from a palette onto a regular note;
                          • Select a note and press / to create an acciaccatura only.

                          This will add a grace note of the same pitch as the regular note. To add a sequence of grace notes to a regular note, simply repeat the above actions as many times as required. See also, Change pitch (below).

                          Note: When a grace note is added to the score, a slur is not automatically created with it, so the latter needs to be added separately. See Slurs.

                          Add a chord of grace notes

                          Grace note chords are built up just like regular chords:

                          1. Enter the first note of the chord as shown above
                          2. Select this first grace note and enter subsequent notes as you would for any other regular chord (i.e. Shift+A...G).

                          You can also create a grace note chord by using the add interval shortcut in step 2: Alt+1...9 for intervals from a unison to a ninth above.

                          Change pitch

                          The pitch of a grace note can be adjusted just like a regular one:

                          1. Select one or more grace notes
                          2. Adjust pitch using the keyboard arrow commands, namely:
                            • ↑ or ↓ to increase or decrease the pitch by a semitone;
                            • Alt+Shift+↑ or Alt+Shift+↓ to increase or decrease the pitch one step at a time, according to the key signature.

                          Change duration

                          • Select the grace note and either click a duration icon on the toolbar, or apply the duration with the appropriate keyboard shortcut: i.e. 1...9 (see Note input).

                          Manual adjustment

                          Horizontal position

                          To adjust the horizontal space between a grace note and its regular parent note, use one of the following:

                          • Go into edit mode on the grace note, then use the left/right arrow keys to reposition as desired.
                          • Select the grace note and change the X-offset value in the Chord section of the Inspector.

                          Other adjustments

                          Various other properties of the grace note can be adjusted in the Inspector (see "Element," "Chord", and "Note" sections)—such as vertical position, size, stem properties etc. The exception is "Leading space" which only applies to standard notes.

                          External links

                          • Grace note at Wikipedia
                          • Appoggiatura at Wikipedia
                          • Acciaccatura at Wikipedia

                          Hairpins

                            Add a hairpin

                            Hairpins are symbols used to indicate gradual changes in volume in the score. There are two kinds: crescendo (getting louder) and decrescendo (getting quieter).

                            Crescendo and Decrescendo

                            To create a hairpin:

                            1. Select a range of notes or measures;
                            2. Use one of the following shortcuts:
                              • <: to create a crescendo hairpin.
                              • >: to create a diminuendo hairpin (decrescendo).

                            Alternatively, use one of the following options:

                            • Select a range of notes or measures, and double-click a hairpin in a palette.
                            • Drag and drop a hairpin from a palette onto a staff line.

                            Adjust length and height

                            A hairpins is a type of Line with playback properties, and its length is adjusted similarly:

                            1. Double-click on the hairpin to enter edit mode. Then click on the end handle that you want to move:

                              Crescendo shows handles and anchors in edit mode

                            2. Use one of the following shortcuts:

                              • Shift+→ to move the end handle, and its anchor, right by one note or rest.
                              • Shift+← to move the end handle, and its anchor, left by one note or rest;

                              This method of extending or shortening the hairpin maintains playback integrity and allows it to cross line breaks:

                              Crescendo anchor extends to the next note

                            3. To fine-tune the horizontal position of an end-handle (without changing playback), use the following shortcuts:

                              • → to move the handle right by 0.1 sp.
                              • ← to move the handle left 0.1 sp.
                              • Ctrl+→ (Mac: Cmd+→) to move the handle right one sp.
                              • Ctrl+← (Mac: Cmd+→) to move the handle left one sp.

                            To change the height of a hairpin:

                            • Adjust the lower handle at the mouth of the hairpin (e.g. the blue square below):

                            Adjust hairpin width

                            Cresc. and dim. lines

                            In addition to hairpins, there are cresc.   _     _     _ and dim.   _     _     _ lines with the same function in the Lines palette. You can adjust the text, if desired, in the Text Line Core section of the Inspector.

                            To turn a hairpin into its equivalent text line:

                            • Select the hairpin and, in the Hairpin section of the Inspector, select the appropriate line from "Type."

                            Copy hairpins

                            From version 3.1, a hairpin can be cut, copied and pasted just like a text element: see Summary of cut / copy / paste commands.

                            For versions prior to 3.1, you can only duplicate a hairpin: see Copying lines.

                            Edit hairpin properties

                            Properties of the hairpin can be edited in the Inspector, as follows:

                            • Element: Edit the Y offset to change the height of the hairpin above or below the staff.
                            • Line: Edit line properties such as color, line style and thickness.
                            • Text line core: Add text and set text properties.
                            • Hairpin:
                              • Type: Change the type of hairpin: crescendo, decrescendo or text.
                              • Circled tip: Tick box to activate.
                              • Height: The width at the mouth of the hairpin.
                              • Continue height: The width of the hairpin at the end of a system, before it continues to the next system.
                              • Placement: Set hairpin above or below the staff.
                              • Dynamic range: Specify whether hairpin playback applies to a staff, part (default) or a system.
                              • Velocity change: … across the span of the hairpin; from 0 to 127.
                              • Use single note dynamics (as of version 3.1): When checked (default), allows the hairpin to change the dynamic of a single note if the instrument supports single note dynamics.
                              • Dynamic Mode (as of version 3.1): Set the method used to change the dynamic: Linear (default), Ease-in and out, Ease-in, Ease-out, or Exponential.

                            Hairpin playback

                            Prior to version 3.1 crescendo and diminuendo lines only affected playback from one note to the next: they had no effect on the playback of a single note or a series of tied notes.

                            As of version 3.1, hairpins affect single notes and tied notes on instruments that support single note dynamics. For example, a piano cannot have a crescendo on a single note, but a trumpet can.

                            By default, hairpins will affect playback only if dynamics are used before and after the hairpin. For example, a crescendo spanning notes between p and f dynamics will cause a dynamic change on playback. However, between any two successive dynamics only the first appropriate hairpin will have effect: a diminuendo between p and f will be ignored; if two or more crescendos are between p and f, all but the first will be ignored.

                            A hairpin may be used without dynamic marks, by adjusting "Velocity change" in the Inspector (values in the range 0 to 127).

                            Lines

                              The Lines palette of the Advanced workspace contains the following lines:

                              Lines palette, Advanced workspace

                              As you can see, the palette includes: Slurs, Hairpins, Volta brackets, Octave lines, and many others.

                              Applying lines to the score

                              Most lines (except Slurs, Volta brackets and the Ambitus) can be applied from a palette in the following ways:

                              To apply a line to just one note

                              1. Click on a note, then Ctrl+Click on the next note;
                              2. Double-click a line.

                              To apply a line across a range of notes

                              1. Select a range of notes;
                              2. Double-click a line.

                              To apply a line from a note to the end of that measure

                              Use any of the following methods:

                              • Click on a note, then double click a line.
                              • Drag and drop a line onto the score.

                              To apply a line across a range of measures

                              1. Select one or more measures;
                              2. Double click a line in a palette.

                              Lines and playback properties

                              Some lines, such as Hairpins, Voltas, Ottavas etc., have a playback effect as well as being indicative. Each end handle is connected by a dotted line to an anchor on the staff (visible in Edit mode). These anchors indicate the extent of the playback effect.

                              Adjust vertical position

                              In Normal mode, apply one of the following methods:

                              • Click on one or more lines and change the vertical offset in the Inspector;
                              • Click on a line, press and hold Shift and drag it up/down with a mouse.

                              Note: You can also adjust the vertical position in Edit mode.

                              Change length

                              1. Enter Edit mode and click on an end handle;
                              2. Apply one of the following shortcuts:

                                • Shift+→ to move the end handle, and its anchor, right by one note (or, in the case of Voltas, one measure)
                                • Shift+← to move the end handle, and its anchor, left by one note (or, in the case of Voltas, one measure);

                                Note: This method allows the line to span systems when required, and ensures that playback coincides with the line's visual extent.

                              3. if you wish to change the position of an end handle without changing the position of its anchor, apply one of the following:

                                • → to move the handle right by 0.1 sp (1 sp = one staff space = the distance between two staff lines).
                                • ← to move the handle left 0.1 sp.
                                • Ctrl+→ (Mac: Cmd+→) to move the handle right one sp.
                                • Ctrl+← (Mac: Cmd+→) to move the handle left one sp.

                                Note: You can also drag the endpoint handles with a mouse.

                              Text lines

                              A text line is a line that has text embedded within it—such as a volta, ottava, guitar barre line etc.

                              When you apply a text line to the score from a palette, the line properties always remain unchanged, but the text properties may, under certain circumstances, assume those of the current style for text lines. For details, see Behavior of applied text and lines.

                              Custom lines

                              Any line in the score can be customized by adjusting its properties in the Inspector, as follows:

                              1. Select the line;
                              2. If line hooks are needed, make a selection from Begin hook, End hook and Height (in the Text Line Core section);
                              3. To add text, tick Begin Text, Continue Text or End Text, then type in the "Text" box:
                                • Begin: Text added here appears at the beginning of the line;
                                • Continue: Text added here appears at the beginning of a continuation line;
                                • End: Text added here appears at the end of the line;
                              4. Edit text properties and alignment as required;
                              5. Edit Placement: "Above" or "Below" sets the text so that it is on the line. "Left" places the text to the left of the line;
                              6. Make adjustments to the line color, thickness and style (solid, dashed etc.) in the Line section. The Diagonal option allows you to create a diagonal line by dragging the end handles;
                              7. To save the result for future use, see Custom palettes.

                              Copying lines

                              Once applied to the score, lines cannot be copied using the usual copy and paste procedures. However, you can duplicate lines within a score:

                              • Press and hold Ctrl+Shift (Mac: Cmd+Shift), click on the line and drag it to the desired location.

                              Extended ornament lines

                              To add an accidental to an extended ornament, such as a trill line, select the line and double-click a symbol from the Accidentals palette.

                              External links

                              • Piano pedal marks at Wikipedia
                              • Guitar Barre at Wikipedia

                              Measure rests

                                Full measure rest

                                A whole rest, centered within a measure (shown below), is used to indicate that an entire measure (or a voice within a measure) is silent, regardless of time signature.

                                Full measure rest

                                To create one or more full measure rests

                                Use the following method if all selected measures are "standard"—i.e. with no custom durations:

                                1 Select a measure, or range of measures.
                                2. Press Del.

                                If one or more of the measures contains a custom duration, use the following method instead:

                                1. Select a measure, or range of measures.
                                2. Press Ctrl+Shift+Del (Mac: Cmd+Shift+Del).

                                To create a full measure rest in a particular voice

                                1. In the appropriate voice, enter a rest that extends for the full measure.
                                2. Make sure the rest is selected, then press Ctrl+Shift+Del (Mac: Cmd+Shift+Del).

                                Multimeasure rest

                                A Multimeasure rest indicates a period of silence for an instrument: the number of measures is shown by the number above the staff.

                                Multi-measure rest

                                Multimeasure rests are automatically interrupted at important points, such as double barlines, rehearsal marks, key- or time signature changes, section breaks etc.

                                To display multimeasure rests

                                To turn multimeasure rests on or off:

                                • Press M on your keyboard.

                                Alternatively:

                                1. From the menu, choose Format→Style....
                                2. Click on the "Score" tab, if it is not already selected;
                                3. Tick/untick "Create multi-measure rests."

                                Note: It is recommended that you enter all notes in the score first before enabling multi-measure rests.

                                Break multimeasure rest

                                You may want to have a multi-measure rest divided into two multi-measure rests:

                                1. Ensure that the option to display multimeasure rests in the score is off (see above).
                                2. Right-click on the measure where you want the second multi-measure rest to start;
                                3. From the menu, chose Measure Properties and tick "Break multi-measure rest."

                                See also: Measure operations: Break multimeasure rest.

                                Octave lines

                                  Octave (Ottava) lines are used to indicate that a section of music is to be played one or more octaves above or below written pitch: The line may be dotted or solid. Ottavas are available in the Lines palette of the Basic and Advanced workspaces.

                                  8─────┐or 8va─────┐: Play one octave above written pitch
                                  8─────┘or 8va─────┘: Play one octave below written pitch

                                  8va alta/bassa lines are particularly common in piano scores, though they are sometimes used in other instrumental music.1 15ma alta (2 octaves above) and 15ma bassa (2 octaves below) are also occasionally used.

                                  Debussy. Études, Book II, X

                                  MuseScore automatically adjusts playback of the score under the ottava to the correct pitch.

                                  Apply an octave line

                                  See Applying lines to the score.

                                  And to adjust the vertical position, see Lines: Adjust vertical position.

                                  Change length

                                  See Lines: Change length.

                                  Custom lines

                                  Ottavas can be customized just like any other line. See Custom lines and line properties.

                                  Properties unique to Octave lines can be adjusted in the Ottava section of the Inspector:

                                  • Type: Change the Ottava line text.
                                  • Placement: Set to "Above" or "Below" the staff.
                                  • Numbers only: Untick for both number and text (e.g. "8va"). Tick for a number only (e.g. "8").

                                  External links

                                  • Octave at Wikipedia

                                  1. Gerou/Lusk. Essential Dictionary of Music Notation (Internet Archive). ↩︎

                                  Slurs

                                    A slur is a curved line between two or more notes indicating that they are to be played legato—smoothly and without separation. Not to be confused with Ties, which join two notes of the same pitch.

                                    There are a number of ways to add a slur to a score, and all may be useful depending on the context (adding a slur from the lines palette is also possible but not recommended).

                                    Add slur in note-input mode

                                    1. While in Note input mode, type in the first note in the slurred section;
                                    2. Press S to begin the slurred section;
                                    3. Type in the remaining notes in the slurred section;
                                    4. Press S again to end the slurred section.

                                    Add slur in Normal mode

                                    Method 1

                                    1. Make sure you are in Normal mode;
                                    2. Select the note where you want the slur to start:

                                      First note selected

                                    3. Press S to add a slur extending to the next note:

                                      Slur to adjacent note

                                    4. (Optional) Hold Shift and press → (right arrow key) to extend the slur to the next note. Repeat as required:

                                      Three-note slur

                                    5. (Optional) Press X to flip the slur direction:

                                      Slur above note stems

                                    6. Press Esc to exit edit mode:

                                      Slur no longer in edit mode

                                    Method 2

                                    1. Make sure you are in Normal mode;
                                    2. Select the note where you want the slur to start;
                                    3. Chose one of the following options:
                                      • To add a slur to one voice only: Hold down Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) and select the last note that you want the slur to cover.
                                      • To add slurs to all voices: Hold down Shift (Mac: Cmd) and select the last note that you want the slurs to cover.
                                    4. Press S.

                                    Adjust slur

                                    If you only want to adjust the position of a slur:

                                    1. Select the slur;
                                    2. Use any of the following methods:
                                      • Drag the slur.
                                      • Adjust the horizontal and vertical offset values in the Inspector.

                                    To adjust all the properties of a slur (length, shape and position):

                                    1. Make sure you are not in note input mode;
                                    2. Double-click the slur to enter edit mode (or select it and press Ctrl+E; or right-click it and select "Edit Element");
                                    3. Click on a handle to select it, or use Tab to cycle through the handles;
                                    4. To move the left and right handles from note to note, use the following shortcuts:
                                      • Shift+→: Move to next note.
                                      • Shift+←: Move to previous note.
                                      • Shift+↑: Move to lower voice (voice 2 to voice 1 etc.).
                                      • Shift+↓: Move to higher voice (voice 1 to voice 2 etc.).
                                    5. To adjust the position of any handle, use any of the following methods:
                                      • Drag the handle.
                                      • Use the arrow keys for fine adjustment (0.1 sp. at a time). For larger adjustments (1 sp. at a time) use Ctrl+→ ← ↑ ↓.
                                    6. Press Esc to exit edit mode.

                                    Note: The two outer handles adjust the start and end of the slur, whilst the three handles on the curve adjust the contour. The middle handle on the straight line is used to move the whole slur up/down/left/right.

                                    Extended slurs

                                    A slur can span several systems and pages. The start and end of a slur is anchored to a note/chord or rest. If the notes are repositioned due to changes in the layout, stretch or style, the slur also moves and adjusts in size.

                                    This example shows a slur spanning from the bass to the treble clef. Using the mouse, select the first note of the slur, hold down Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) and select the last note for the slur, and press S to add the slur.

                                    Slur across staves

                                    X flips the direction of a selected slur.

                                    Dotted slurs

                                    Dotted slurs are sometimes used in songs where the presence of a slur varies between stanzas. Dotted slurs are also used to indicate an editor's suggestion (as opposed to the composer's original markings). To change an existing slur into a dotted or dashed slur, select it and then in Inspector (F8) change Line type from Continuous to Dotted or Dashed.

                                    See also

                                    • Tie
                                    • Edit mode
                                    • Note input

                                    Ties

                                      A tie is a curved line between two notes of the same pitch, indicating that they are to be played as one combined note (see external links below). Ties are normally created between adjacent notes in the same voice, but MuseScore also supports ties between non-adjacent notes and between notes in different voices.

                                      In note-input mode, if you specify a tie immediately after entering a note or chord, the program automatically generates the correct destination notes to go with the ties. Or, you can simply create ties "after the fact," between existing notes.

                                      Note: Ties, which join notes of the same pitch, should not be confused with slurs, which join notes of different pitches and indicate legato articulation.

                                      Add ties to single notes

                                      In Normal mode:

                                      1. Click on a note, or use Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) + click to select more than one note:
                                        First note selected
                                      2. Press + or the toolbar tie button, tie button:
                                        Slur to adjacent note.

                                      Ties will be created between the selected note(s) and the following note(s) of the same pitch.

                                      In Note input mode:

                                      1. Select a single note (one that is not part of a chord).
                                      2. Select a new note duration for the following note, if required (but see "Note" below).
                                      3. Press + or the tie button, tie button.

                                      Note: This shortcut works, as described above, only if there is no chord following the selected note. If there is, then the duration is ignored and the tied note is added instead to the following chord.

                                      Add ties to chords

                                      In Normal mode:

                                      1. Use one of the following selection options:
                                        • Hold down Shift and click on any note in the chord;
                                        • Click on the stem of the chord;
                                      2. Press +, or click on the toolbar tie button tie button.

                                      Ties will be created between all the notes in the selected chord and the following notes of the same pitches.

                                      In Note input mode:

                                      1. Make sure one note is selected in a chord.
                                      2. Select a new note duration for the following chord, if required (but see "Note" below).
                                      3. Press + or the tie button, tie button.

                                      Note: This shortcut works, as described above, only if there is no chord following the selected note. If there is, then the duration is ignored and the tied notes are added instead to the following chord.

                                      Add extra tied notes to a previously tied chord

                                      Occasionally you may need to return to an existing tied chord in order to add one or more extra tied notes. In this case a different command is used. For example:

                                      add_tied_notes_1.png
                                      1. Add the extra notes to the first chord. e.g.
                                      add_tied_notes_2.png
                                      2. In Note input mode, and with any of the notes in the first chord selected, press Alt++. Corresponding notes are added to the following chord and the extra notes are tied:
                                      add_tied_notes_3.png

                                      Add ties to unison notes

                                      A workaround is required to create ties between unison notes:

                                      1. Create the first note as usual;
                                      2. Any additional unison notes should be added at an interval other than unison: e.g. 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc.
                                      3. Create a tied chord (as shown above): e.g.
                                        tied non-unisons
                                      4. Move the unison note(s) into position: e.g.
                                        tied unisons

                                      Flip a tie

                                      X flips the direction of a selected tie, from above the note to below the note, or vice-versa.

                                      See also

                                      Slur

                                      External links

                                      • How to create ties leading into a 2nd ending
                                      • Ties (music) at Wikipedia

                                      Tremolo

                                        Tremolo is the rapid repetition of one note or chord, or a rapid alternation between two notes or chords. Tremolo symbols can be found in the Tremolo palette in the advanced workspace: both one note and two note tremolos are possible.

                                        Tremolo palette

                                        A one-note or one-chord tremolo is indicated by strokes through the stem of the note or chord (or above/below if a whole note). E.g.
                                        tremolo_1.png

                                        In a two-note or two-chord tremolo, bars are drawn between the notes. E.g.
                                        tremolo_2.png

                                        Tremolo symbols are also used to notate drum rolls.

                                        Add a Tremolo

                                        Single note/chord tremolo

                                        1. If a single note, select that note; if a chord, select any note in the chord;
                                        2. Double-click the desired symbol in the Tremolo palette.

                                        Alternatively, you can drag the tremolo symbol onto the applicable note.

                                        Two note/chord tremolo

                                        1. Input the notes at half the desired final duration;
                                        2. If a single note, select the first note of the pair; if a chord, select any note from the first chord;
                                        3. Double-click the desired symbol in the Tremolo palette.

                                        Alternatively, you can drag the tremolo symbol onto the applicable note.

                                        Example: To enter a two-note tremolo with the duration of a half note (minim), enter two normal quarter notes (crotchets). After applying a tremolo symbol to the first note, the note values automatically double to half notes.

                                        External links

                                        • Tremolo (Wikipedia)

                                        Repeats and jumps

                                          Simple repeats

                                          You can create a simple repeat by placing a start and an end repeat barline at the beginning and end of a passage. These can be applied from the Barlines or Repeats & Jumps palette.

                                          Simple repeat

                                          Note: If the start of a repeat coincides with the beginning of a piece or section, the start repeat barline can be omitted if desired. Similarly, an end repeat barline can be omitted at the end of a score or section.

                                          Simple repeat at start

                                          1st and 2nd endings

                                          First create a simple repeat (as shown above), then apply the first and second time endings—see Voltas.

                                          Playback

                                          To hear repeats during playback, make sure the "Play Repeats" button on the toolbar is selected. Likewise, you can turn off repeats during playback by deselecting the button.

                                          To set the number of times that a repeat section plays back:

                                          1. Make sure the start and end repeat barlines are in place (e.g. simple repeats above).
                                          2. Right-click on the last measure containing the end repeat barline and select Measure properties.
                                          3. Adjust "Play count" as required.

                                          Repeat symbols and text

                                          Text and symbols related to repeats are located in the "Repeats & Jumps" palette (in the Basic and Advanced workspaces). This palette contains:

                                          • Symbols for measure repeat, Segno, Segno Variation (Serpent), Coda, and Coda Variation (Codetta)
                                          • D.S., D.C., al Code, al Fine, To Coda, and Fine text
                                          • Repeat barlines

                                          Repeats palette

                                          To add a repeat symbol to the score use either of the following:

                                          • Drag and drop a repeat symbol from the palette onto (not above!) the desired measure (so the measure changes color).
                                          • Select a measure, then double-click the desired repeat symbol in the palette.

                                          Jumps

                                          Jumps are symbols in the score which tell the musician, and playback, to skip to a named marker (see below). Jumps include the various kinds of D.C. (Da Capo) and D.S. (Dal Segno) text.

                                          Just like with simple repeats, make sure the "Play Repeats" button on the toolbar is selected so the jumps are honored. Likewise, you can turn off jumps during playback by deselecting the button.

                                          Note: Jumps are taken only after all simple repeats are done.

                                          If you click on a jump, some text boxes and a checkbox are displayed in the Jump section of the Inspector. These have the following effects on playback:

                                          • Jump to: Playback jumps to the marker whose "Label" is the same as the "Jump to" tag.
                                          • Play until: Playback continues until it reaches a marker whose "Label" is the same as the "Play until" tag.
                                          • Continue at: Playback jumps to the next marker whose "Label" is the same as the "Continue" tag.
                                          • Play repeats: Ticking this box tells MuseScore to play repeats after D.C. (Da Capo) or D.S. (Dal Segno) jumps. If this option is not ticked then simple Repeats are not taken after jumps and playback works as if it were the last repeat.

                                          Note: The tags start and end, referring to the beginning and end of a score or section, are implicit and don't need to be added by the user.

                                          Markers

                                          Markers are the places referred to by the jumps. A list of markers (in addition to the implicit "start" and "end") follows:

                                          • Segno: Segno (tag: segno)
                                          • Segno variation.: Segno Variation (tag: varsegno)
                                          • Coda: Coda (tag: codab)
                                          • Coda variation: Coda Variation (tag: varcoda)
                                          • Fine: (tag: fine)
                                          • To Coda: (tag: coda)

                                          If you click on a marker, the following properties appears in the Marker section of the Inspector:

                                          • Marker type: This can be changed from the dropdown list, if required.
                                          • Label: This is the (identifier) tag associated with the marker. See also, Jumps (above).

                                          Examples of jumps

                                          • Da Capo (D.C.): At the "D.C." sign, playback jumps to the start (i.e. to the implicit start tag) and plays the entire score or section again (i.e. up to the implicit end tag).
                                          • Da Capo (D.C.) al Fine: At the "D.C. al Fine" sign, playback jumps to the start (i.e. to the implicit start tag) and plays the score up to the Fine (i.e. the fine tag).
                                          • Dal Segno (D.S.) al Fine: At the "D.S. al Fine" sign, playback jumps to the Segno symbol (i.e. the segno tag) and then plays up to the Fine (i.e. the fine tag)
                                          • Dal Segno (D.S.) al Coda: At the "D.S. al Coda" sign, playback jumps to the Segno symbol (i.e. the segno tag) and then plays up to the To Coda (i.e. the coda tag). Playback then continues at the Coda symbol (i.e. the codab tag).

                                          Note: The properties (i.e. the tag names) of jumps and markers can be set via the Inspector. You need to modify them if using multiple jumps and markers.

                                          See also

                                          • Barlines
                                          • Volta

                                          External links

                                          • MuseScore in Minutes: Repeats and Endings, part 2 (video tutorial)
                                          • How to separate a coda from the rest of the score (MuseScore HowTo)

                                          Tuplets

                                            Tuplets are used to write rhythms beyond the beat divisions usually permitted by the time signature. For example, a triplet consists of three notes in the time of two:

                                            Triplet

                                            And a duplet consists of two notes in the time of three:

                                            Duplet

                                            Create a tuplet

                                            The exact method of tuplet entry depends on whether you are starting off in Note input mode or Normal mode. We'll start off with a simple example: the creation of an eighth note triplet.

                                            Create a triplet in normal mode

                                            1. Select a note or rest that specifies the full duration of the desired triplet group. In the case of an eighth note triplet, you will need to select a quarter note or rest—as in the example below:

                                              Quarter note selected

                                            2. Press the keyboard shortcut for a triplet, Ctrl+3 (Mac: Cmd+3); alternatively use the menu, Add→Tuplets→Triplet. This will give the following result:

                                              Triplet eight note followed by rests

                                            3. The program automatically changes to note-input mode and selects the most appropriate duration—in this example an eighth note. Now enter the desired series of notes/rests. For example:

                                              Three triplet eight notes

                                            Create a triplet in note input mode

                                            1. Ensure you are in note input mode (press N).
                                            2. Navigate to the note/rest (or blank measure) where you want the triplet to start (use the left/right arrow keys as required).
                                            3. Select a final duration for the whole triplet group. In the case of an eighth note triplet, click on the quarter note in the note input toolbar (or press 5 on the keyboard).
                                            4. Press the keyboard shortcut for a tuplet, Ctrl+3 (Mac: Cmd+3); alternatively, use the menu, Add→Tuplets→Triplet. This creates a triplet number/bracket and appropriately divides the original note/rest (see image above).
                                            5. The program automatically selects the most appropriate duration—in this example an eighth note—allowing you to immediately start entering the desired series of notes/rests.

                                            Create other tuplets

                                            To create other tuplets substitute one of the following commands at the relevant step above:

                                            • Press Ctrl+2–9 (Mac: Cmd+2–9). 2 for a duplet, 3 for a triplet etc.
                                            • From the menu, select Add→Tuplets, then click on the desired option.

                                            For more complex cases, see below.

                                            Custom tuplets

                                            To create other tuplets than the default options (e.g. 13 sixteenth notes in the space of one quarter note):

                                            1. In Note input mode, select a note duration equaling the total duration of the tuplet; or, if in Normal mode, select a note or rest of the desired overall duration;
                                            2. Open the Create Tuplet dialog from the menu: Add→Tuplets→Other...;
                                            3. Select the desired number ratio (e.g. 13/4 for thirteen sixteenth notes in the space of a quarter note) under "Relation" in the "Type" section. Specify "Number" and "Bracket" using the radio buttons in the "Format" section;

                                              Create Tuplet dialog

                                            4. Click OK to close the dialog:

                                              Thirteen-tuplet in the space of one quarter, or four sixteenths

                                            5. Enter the desired series of notes/rests.

                                            Delete a tuplet

                                            Use either of the following:

                                            • Select the number or bracket and press Del.
                                            • Select the entire tuplet, using the shift + click method, then press Del.
                                            • Select any element of the tuplet, then in Inspector, in the bottom right corner, press the Tuplet button, then press Del.

                                            Change display of tuplets

                                            Using the Inspector

                                            To change the display properties of tuplets in the score, select the tuplet numbers/brackets, and adjust the desired properties in the "Tuplet" section of the Inspector:

                                            Tuplet Properties in Inspector

                                            • Direction: Auto places the bracket/number in the default position. Up always places the bracket above the note heads; Down always places the bracket below the note heads.
                                            • Number type: Choice of Number, Ratio, or Nothing.
                                            • Bracket type: Automatic hides the bracket for beamed notes and shows the bracket if the tuplet includes unbeamed notes or rests. Bracket displays the bracket. Nothing hides the bracket.

                                            Using the Tuplets Style dialog

                                            To make fine adjustments to the way that all tuplets in the score are displayed: from the menu, select Format → Style...→Tuplets.

                                            The legend below illustrates some of the properties that can be adjusted in the Tuplets style dialog:

                                            Tuplet style legend

                                            (2) Vertical distance from stem.
                                            (3) Vertical distance from note head.
                                            (5) Distance before stem of first note.
                                            (6) Distance after stem of last note.

                                            External links

                                            • How to create triplets and other tuplets
                                            • How to create nonstandard tuplets
                                            • How To create triplets and other tuplets across measures
                                            • Tuplet at Wikipedia
                                            • The User Guide to Tuplets in MuseScore [video]

                                            Voltas

                                              Volta brackets, or first and second ending brackets, are lines used to mark different endings for a simple repeat. Score playback automatically follows the repeat indications.

                                              Sample first and second endings

                                              To add a volta to the score

                                              Use one of the following methods:

                                              • Select a measure, or range of measures and double-click a Volta icon in the Lines palette.
                                              • Drag-and-drop a volta from the Lines palette, then adjust the length as required (see below).

                                              To change the number of measures that a volta covers

                                              1. Double-click the volta to enter edit mode. The end handle is automatically selected.
                                              2. Press Shift+→ to move the end handle forward one measure. Press Shift+← to move the handle backward one measure. Repeat as required.

                                              Note: When you select a start or end handle, a dashed line appears connecting it to an anchor point on the staff (see diagram, below). This anchor shows the position of the playback start/end points of the Volta. The Shift commands change the anchor point so playback always remains in sync with the visual start/end points. To make fine adjustments to the visual start or end points, without affecting playback, use other keyboard arrow commands, or drag the handles with a mouse.

                                              Second-ending volta in edit mode

                                              Volta properties

                                              To make changes to Volta text:

                                              • Select the volta, and edit the properties in the Text Line Core section of the Inspector.

                                                Volta text properties in the Inspector

                                              To specify the order of repeats:

                                              • Select the volta, and in "Repeat list" (Volta section of the Inspector) type in a number, or sequence of numbers separated by commas, to indicate the repeat(s) in which the volta is to be played.

                                              For example, a first ending shows the number "1"; a second ending, the number "2" and so on. More complex repeats are also possible: e.g. a "Repeat list" displaying "1, 2, 4, 5, 7" indicates that the volta is to be played during repeats 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7, and so on.

                                              Note: Each volta section, except the final one, needs to end with an end repeat barline.

                                              Playback

                                              Sometimes a repeat plays more than two times. If you want to change the number of times MuseScore plays a repeat, go to the measure containing the end repeat barline and change its "Play count". See Measure operations: Other properties.

                                              External links

                                              • MuseScore in Minutes, Lesson 8: Repeats and Endings, Part 1
                                              • How to create ties leading into a 2nd ending

                                              Transposition

                                                Transposition is the act of raising or lowering the pitch of a selection of notes by the same interval. You can chose to transpose notes either manually or by using the Transpose dialog.

                                                Manual transposition

                                                1. Select the notes that you wish to transpose;
                                                2. Use any of the following options:
                                                  • To transpose chromatically: Press ↑ or ↓. Repeat as required;
                                                  • To transpose diatonically; Press Alt + Shift + ↑ or ↓. Repeat as required;
                                                  • To transpose by an octave: Press Ctrl + ↑ or ↓ (Mac: Cmd + ↑ or ↓).

                                                Automatic transposition

                                                MuseScore's Transpose dialog gives you more options for transposing notes.

                                                Transpose Dialog

                                                Note: By default this dialog opens from the Tools menu, but you can also chose to open it using a keyboard shortcut (see Preferences).

                                                Transpose Chromatically

                                                By Key

                                                To transpose notes up or down to the nearest key:

                                                1. Select the notes you want to transpose; no selection equals "select all.";
                                                2. From the menu bar, choose Tools → Transpose...;
                                                3. Tick "Transpose Chromatically" and "By key;"
                                                4. Tick/untick "Transpose key signature" and "Transpose chord symbols" if required;
                                                5. Tick one of "Closest," "Up" or "Down;" and select a destination key signature from the drop-down menu;
                                                6. Click OK.
                                                By Interval

                                                To transpose selected notes up or down in semitone increments:

                                                1. Select the notes you want to transpose; no selection equals "select all.";
                                                2. From the menu bar, choose Tools → Transpose...;
                                                3. Tick "Transpose Chromatically" and "By Interval;"
                                                4. Tick/untick "Transpose key signature" and "Transpose chord symbols" if required;
                                                5. Tick "Up" or "Down;" and select a transposition interval from the drop-down menu;
                                                6. Click OK.

                                                Transpose Diatonically

                                                To transpose selected notes up or down by a diatonic interval:

                                                1. Select the notes you want to transpose; no selection equals "select all.";
                                                2. From the menu bar, choose Tools → Transpose...;
                                                3. Tick "Transpose Diatonically;"
                                                4. Tick/untick "Transpose key signature" and "Transpose chord symbols" if required;
                                                5. Tick "Up" or "Down;" and select a transposition interval from the drop-down menu;
                                                6. Click OK.

                                                Transposing instruments

                                                Transposing instruments, such as the B-flat trumpet or E-flat alto sax, sound lower, or higher than their written pitch. MuseScore has a number of features to facilitate the scoring of these instruments.

                                                Concert pitch

                                                MuseScore's default viewing mode shows the musical notation in written pitch, but you can chose to display the score in concert pitch instead. In the latter mode, the musical notation of all instruments matches the actual pitches that you hear on playback.

                                                • To change the view to concert pitch: Press the Concert Pitch button to highlight it.

                                                You should ensure that the Concert pitch button is OFF before printing the main score or any parts.

                                                Change staff transposition

                                                Instrument transpositions are already set up in MuseScore. However, if you want a rare instrument or transposition that is not available in MuseScore, you may need to edit the instrument transposition manually.

                                                1. Right-click an empty part of the instrument staff and select Staff/Part Properties....
                                                2. At the bottom of the window, select the interval of transposition, any octave shifts, and whether the interval is "Up" (sounds higher than written) or "Down" (sounds lower than written).

                                                You can also use the Change Instrument… button in the Staff/Part Properties window to automatically change the transposition to that of a different standard instrument.

                                                External links

                                                • How to transpose (MuseScore How-To)
                                                • Concert pitch or not? (forum discussion)
                                                • How to change enharmonic key signatures for transposing instruments (MuseScore How-To)

                                                Drum notation

                                                  Entering percussion notation is somewhat different to entering notation for pitched instruments (such as the piano or violin).

                                                  Percussion staff types

                                                  When you create a percussion staff using the New Score Wizard or the Instruments dialog, MuseScore automatically choses the most appropriate staff type (1-, 3-, or 5-line) for the instrument: this can be changed, if required, using the "Staff type" column on the Choose instruments / Instruments page. Any additional changes (e.g. to a 2-line staff) can be made from the score itself (see Advanced Style Properties).

                                                  On a 5-line percussion staff, each instrument is assigned a vertical staff position (line or space) and a notehead shape. For a drumset, one or two voices can be used. If the latter, voice 1 (the upper voice) usually contains (up-stem) notes played by the hands while voice 2 (the lower voice) usually contains (down-stem) notes played by the feet (see image below).

                                                  Drum notation example showing the use of two voices

                                                  Note input methods

                                                  You can add notes to a percussion staff from any of the following:

                                                  • External MIDI keyboard;
                                                  • Piano keyboard (virtual);
                                                  • Computer keyboard;
                                                  • Mouse.

                                                  These methods can be used in any desired combination:

                                                  MIDI keyboard

                                                  To add notes to a percussion staff from a MIDI keyboard:

                                                  1. Ensure that the MIDI keyboard is connected and functioning correctly.

                                                    Note: If you click on the percussion staff without entering note input mode, you can demo the percussion instruments from the MIDI keyboard.

                                                  2. Click on the note or rest where you want to start.

                                                  3. Enter note input mode.
                                                  4. Select the correct voice. For example, snares, sidesticks and all cymbals are normally added to voice 1; bass drum to voice 2.
                                                  5. Set note duration.
                                                  6. Press an instrument key to add a note to the score. To add another note at the same position, keep the first key held down while pressing the second key.

                                                  Note: Refer to a GM2 drum map for details about which MIDI keyboard key corresponds to which percussion instrument. Some keyboards (e.g., Casio) display percussion symbols next to the keys as an aid to the user.

                                                  Piano keyboard

                                                  To add notes to a percussion staff from the virtual Piano Keyboard:

                                                  1. Ensure that the Piano keyboard is displayed. Press P (or select it from the menu, View → Piano Keyboard).

                                                    Note: If you click on the percussion staff without entering note input mode, you can demo the percussion instruments from the Piano keyboard.

                                                  2. Click on the note or rest where you want to start.

                                                  3. Enter note input mode.
                                                  4. Select the correct voice. For example, snares, sidesticks and all cymbals are normally added to voice 1; bass drum to voice 2.
                                                  5. Set note duration.
                                                  6. Click on a (virtual piano) key to add a note to the score.
                                                  7. To add another note to an existing one, press Shift and hold it while pressing the new note (in versions before 2.1, use Ctrl (Mac: Cmd)).

                                                  Note: Refer to a GM2 drum map for details about which piano key corresponds to which percussion instrument.

                                                  By default, the piano keyboard is docked at the bottom of the screen—to the left of the Drum input palette. However you can undock it by dragging, then dock the panel in several ways:

                                                  • Drag the panel downwards to the center and it will overlay the Drum input palette, full length. Both panels can then be accessed by Tabs.
                                                  • Drag the panel downwards to the right/left and it will dock to the right/left of the Drum input palette.

                                                  Computer keyboard

                                                  To enter notes on a percussion staff using your computer keyboard:

                                                  1. Click on the note or rest where you want to start.
                                                  2. Enter note input mode. The Drum input palette now appears at the bottom of the screen (see below).
                                                  3. Select the desired note duration.
                                                  4. Press the shortcut key (A–G) for the instrument that you wish to enter—refer to the Drum input palette window.
                                                  5. If you wish to add another note to an existing one in that voice, press Shift + [A–G].

                                                  Note: Voice allocation is determined by the color of the note in the drum input palette: blue for voice 1, green for voice 2.

                                                  Mouse

                                                  To add a note to a percussion staff

                                                  Use the following method to add a new note or to replace an existing chord.

                                                  1. Select the note or rest where you want to start. You can also select a measure.
                                                  2. Press N to enter note input mode. The Drum input palette now appears at the bottom of the screen (see below).
                                                  3. Set note duration.
                                                  4. Choose one of the following options:
                                                    • Double-click a note in the Drum input palette.
                                                    • Select a note (e.g. Bass drum, or Snare) in the Drum input palette, then click a note or rest in the score.

                                                  To add a note to an existing chord in the percussion staff

                                                  1. Ensure you are in note input mode.
                                                  2. Select a note duration equal to the note you are adding to.
                                                  3. Click on the new note in the Drum input palette.
                                                  4. Click above or below the existing note in the percussion staff.

                                                  Note: Voice allocation is determined by the color of the note in the drum input palette: blue for voice 1, green for voice 2.

                                                  Drum input palette

                                                  When a percussion staff is selected and note input mode is ON, a window opens at the bottom of the screen called the Drum input palette. This window is essential for mouse input, and displays shortcuts for computer keyboard input, but can be ignored if using a MIDI keyboard or the virtual Piano Keyboard.

                                                  Each note in the palette represents a percussion instrument: hovering the mouse pointer over the note displays the instrument name.

                                                  Drum input palette

                                                  The letters A–G (shown above certain notes in the palette) are designated as shortcuts for entering particular instruments (bass drum, snare, closed hi-hat etc.), rather than referring to note pitches. They can be changed or reallocated as desired in the Edit Drumset window.

                                                  When the Drum input palette is open, double-clicking a note in the palette or entering a shortcut letter will add that instrument note to the percussion staff. The color of the note in the palette shows the voice allocated for that note—blue for voice 1, green for voice 2. This can be changed in the Edit Drumset dialog if required.

                                                  This voice allocation applies only to keyboard and mouse entry of notes: entry via a MIDI keyboard or the virtual Piano keyboard allows any voice to be used.

                                                  Edit Drumset

                                                  To open the Edit Drumset window, use one of the following options:

                                                  • Click on the Edit Drumset button at the left of the Drum input palette.
                                                  • Right-click on a percussion staff and select "Edit Drumset...".

                                                  Edit Drumset dialog

                                                  The Edit Drumset dialog displays the percussion instruments available and the MIDI notes/numbers to which they are allocated. It also determines how each instrument is displayed on the staff— its name, position, notehead type and note-stem direction. Any changes made here are automatically saved in the parent MuseScore file.

                                                  Clicking on a row in the left-hand column allows you to edit the display properties for that note as follows:

                                                  Name: The name you want displayed in the Drum input palette when you mouse over the note.
                                                  Notehead group: Choose a notehead for that instrument from a drop-down list of options (Note: chosing "Custom" activates "Edit noteheads" (below).
                                                  Edit Noteheads: Allows you to customize the display further by specifying the noteheads for particular note durations.
                                                  Default voice: Assign to one of four voices. This does not affect input from a MIDI keyboard or the virtual Piano keyboard.
                                                  Staff line: This number indicates the staff line/space on which the note is displayed. "0" means that the note is displayed on the top line of the 5-line staff. Negative numbers move the note upwards step by step, while positive numbers move it downwards in the same way.
                                                  Shortcut: Assign a keyboard shortcut to enter that note.
                                                  Stem Direction: Auto, Up or down.

                                                  The customized drumset can be saved as a .drm file by pressing Save As.... You can also import a customized drumset using the Load... button.

                                                  Sticking

                                                  To enter sticking symbols (R, L):

                                                  1. Select a start note;
                                                  2. From the menu, select Add→Text→Sticking. Alternatively, set up a keyboard shortcut to do the same thing in Preferences;
                                                  3. Input the symbol just as you would normal text. To move forward or backwards to the next note, use the same keyboard shortcuts as for chord symbols.
                                                  4. To exit, press Esc, or click on a blank section of the score.

                                                  Add drum roll

                                                  To create a drum roll, use a Tremolo.

                                                  External links

                                                  • How to create jazz drum notation [MuseScore How-To]
                                                  • Video tutorial: MuseScore in Minutes: Lesson 7 - Tablature and Drum Notation
                                                  • Drum Parts [video]
                                                  • Editing the Drum Palette in MuseScore 1.1 [video]
                                                  • Saving Drumset Changes in MuseScore 1.1 [video]
                                                  • Guide to Drum and Percussion Notation

                                                  Tablature

                                                    Music for fretted, stringed instruments is commonly notated using tablature, also known as tab, which provides a visual representation of the strings and fret numbers:

                                                    Tablature

                                                    Tablature can also be combined with traditional staff notation:

                                                    Standard staff plus tablature

                                                    Create a new tablature staff

                                                    If you wish to create tablature as part of a new score, use the New Score Wizard. If you want to add tablature to an existing score, use the Instruments dialog. Or, alternatively, you can convert an existing standard staff. See below for details.

                                                    With the New Score wizard

                                                    To create tablature in a new score (for combined staff/tablature systems see → below):

                                                    1. Open the New Score wizard.
                                                    2. Enter the score details (optional). Click Next.
                                                    3. On the Chose template file page, click on Choose Instruments under "General".
                                                    4. On the Instruments page, select the desired tablature in the "Strings – plucked" category, in the left-hand column. Then click Add.
                                                    5. Complete the rest of the New Score Wizard.

                                                    Note: If the desired tablature is not available in the Choose Instrument list, add a tablature staff anyway at step 4 (above). Then edit the tablature to your exact requirements using the Staff/Part properties dialog.

                                                    With the Instruments dialog

                                                    To add a single tablature staff to an existing score (for combined staff/tab system see below):

                                                    1. Open the instruments dialog (press I; or from the menu bar, select Edit → Instruments…).
                                                    2. Add the tab staff as described in Add instruments ("Create a new score").

                                                    By changing staff type

                                                    To convert an existing standard staff to tablature, or tablature to a standard staff:

                                                    1. Right click on the staff and select Staff/Part Properties…. If "Instrument" is already set to a plucked-strings type, then go to step 3.
                                                    2. If "Instrument" is not a plucked-strings type, click on Change instrument and select an appropriate instrument from "Strings – Plucked."
                                                    3. Click on Advanced Style properties, select the appropriate tablature option from "Template", then press < Reset to Template. You can fine tune the display if necessary using the "Fret Marks" and "Note Values" tabs.
                                                    4. Click OK twice to exit.

                                                    Edit string data

                                                    Change tuning

                                                    Note: If you only want to view (rather than change) the instrument tuning, follow steps 1 and 2 only.

                                                    1. Right-click on the staff and select Staff/Part Properties….

                                                      Staff/Part properties dialog

                                                    2. Press the Edit String Data… button at the bottom of the dialog box. The String Data dialog opens:

                                                      String data

                                                    3. Click on a string pitch and select Edit String…. Or, alternatively, just double-click the string pitch.

                                                    4. Select a new pitch in the Note Selection box and click OK. Or, alternatively, just double-click the new pitch.
                                                    5. Click OK to close the "String Data" dialog box. Then click OK to close the "Staff/Part Properties" dialog.

                                                    Notes: (1) If tuning is changed when the tablature for that instrument already contains some notes, fret marks will be adjusted automatically (if possible); (2) Any change of tuning to a particular instrument applies only to the score at hand, and does not change any program default settings.

                                                    Add a string

                                                    1. Right-click on the staff, select Staff/Part Properties…, then press Edit String Data.
                                                    2. Click on a string pitch and select New String....
                                                    3. Select the new pitch and press OK—or, alternatively, just double-click the new pitch. The new string is inserted below the selected string.

                                                    Note: After adding a tablature string you will need to adjust the number of lines in the Staff/Part properties dialog.

                                                    Delete a string

                                                    1. Right-click on the staff, select Staff/Part Properties…, then press Edit String Data.
                                                    2. Click on a string pitch and select Delete String.

                                                    Note: After deleting a tablature string you will need to adjust the number of lines in the Staff/Part properties dialog.

                                                    Mark unfretted string "open"

                                                    This feature is used to mark a (bass) course as unstopped (i.e. like a harp string, only played in the open position): as on a Baroque lute or Theorbo etc. This means that only "0" (zero) or "a" is accepted as a fret mark: any other fret mark will be converted to 0/a.

                                                    1. Right-click on the staff, select Staff/Part Properties…, then press Edit String Data.
                                                    2. Check one or more boxes in the "Open" column.

                                                    Change number of instrument frets

                                                    This property defines the maximum fret number which can be entered on a tablature staff.

                                                    1. Right-click on the staff, select Staff/Part Properties…, then press Edit String Data.
                                                    2. Select or enter a new number in the "Number of frets" spin box.

                                                    Change tablature display

                                                    You can customize both the appearance of a tablature staff and the way that it displays the fret marks. To access these options:

                                                    1. Right click on the staff and select Staff/Part Properties….
                                                    2. Click on the Advanced Style Properties… button.

                                                    Combine pitched staff with tablature

                                                    Plucked-string instruments—such as the guitar—are commonly notated using both a music staff and tablature (TAB) together. MuseScore gives you the option of having the two staves either unlinked or linked:

                                                    1. Unlinked Staves: The advantage of using this option is that each staff can be edited independently. To transfer music notation from one staff to the other, select the desired range and copy and paste it onto the other staff.

                                                    2. Linked Staves: The staves are "mutually updating": i.e. any change you make to the notation in one staff is immediately applied to the other staff as well.

                                                    A note on fret mark conflicts: When the same note is entered in two different voices, MuseScore tries to ensure that the fret marks do not overlap on the same string. Any overlaps which do occur are marked with red squares: these appear only in the document window and not on any printed copy. In almost all cases (e.g. frets 0 to 4 on the 6th string), overlapping is the desired result and no further adjustment is required. You can hide the red marks by selecting "View" and unticking "Show Unprintable."

                                                    Create a new staff/tablature pair with the New Score Wizard

                                                    1. Open the New Score wizard.
                                                    2. Enter the score details (optional). Click Next.
                                                    3. On the Chose template file page, click on Choose Instruments under "General".
                                                    4. Select a pitched staff in the "Strings – Plucked" section of the left-hand column. Then click Add.
                                                    5. Select the newly-created staff line (i.e. marked "Staff …") in the right-hand column and chose one of two options:
                                                      • Click Add Staff to create an unlinked staff/tab pair.
                                                      • Click Add Linked Staff to create a linked staff/tab pair.
                                                    6. In the Staff type column, click on the dropdown list for the newly-created staff and select a tablature option (this can be modified later, if required, on the score page—see Staff/Part Properties).
                                                    7. Change the staff order using the ↑ button if needed.
                                                    8. Complete the rest of the New Score Wizard, or click Finish.

                                                    Note: To create unlinked staves with separate mixer channels, instead of step "5" (above), select a Tablature staff in the left-hand column and click Add. Then continue with steps 6 and 7.

                                                    Create a new staff/tablature pair in an existing score

                                                    1. Open the Instruments editor (press I, or from the menu bar, select Edit → Instruments…).
                                                    2. Then follow steps 4–8 above.

                                                    Create a staff/tablature pair from an existing staff

                                                    To add tablature to a plucked-string staff in the score (or vice versa):

                                                    1. Open the Instruments editor (press I, or from the menu bar, select Edit → Instruments…).
                                                    2. In the right-hand column, select the staff you want to create the staff/tab pair from, then follow one of the options shown in step 5 above.
                                                    3. Continue with steps 6–8 above.

                                                    Enter notes in tablature

                                                    Using a computer keyboard

                                                    1. In Normal mode, select the measure or existing note from which you want to begin note entry.
                                                    2. Switch to note input mode (N): a short 'blue rectangle' appears around one tablature string: this is the current string.
                                                    3. Select the duration of the note or rest that you wish to enter (see below).
                                                    4. Press the up/down arrow keys to move the cursor to the desired string. Use the left/right arrow keys to navigate through the score.
                                                    5. Press 0 to 9 to enter a fret mark from 0 to 9 on the current string; to enter numbers with several digits press each digit in sequence. Keys A to K (skipping I) can also be used: convenient when working in French tablature. For L , M, N, use the alphanumeric keyboard and type respectively 10, 11, 12... (Note: You cannot enter a number higher than the "Number of frets" value set in the Edit String Data dialog).

                                                      Press ; (semicolon) to enter a rest of the selected duration.

                                                    6. You can enter notes in different voices if required—just as you would in a standard staff.

                                                    See also, Edit notes (below).

                                                    Historical tablature

                                                    Period notation for bass strings (lutes and sim.) is supported:

                                                    • French tablature: letters with prefixed slash-like strokes right under the tab body: i.e. 7th string: "a", 8th string: "/a", 9th string: "//a" and so on, all in the first position below the tab body.

                                                    • Italian tablature: numbers with 'ledger line'- like segment of string above the tab body: i.e. 7th string: "0" one position above the tab body with one 'ledger line'; 8th string: "0" two positions above the tab body with two 'ledger lines' and so on.

                                                    Input of fretmarks is via computer keyboard only: by moving the note entry cursor below (French) or above (Italian) the tab body, 'shadow' slashes or ledger lines will indicate the target string to which the fret mark will be applied; pressing one of the fret keys, will enter (and lay out) the note on that string.

                                                    Using a mouse

                                                    To enter notes into tablature with a mouse:

                                                    • Enter note input mode and select the note or rest duration (see below).
                                                    • Click on a string to create a note there. Notes are initially created on fret 0 (or a for French tablatures): to correct, type in the right number from the keyboard.
                                                    • You can also increase/decrease the fret mark using Alt+Shift+↑ or Alt+Shift+↓.
                                                    • You can enter notes in different voices if required—just as you would in a standard staff.

                                                    See also, Edit notes (below).

                                                    Select note duration

                                                    In note input mode, you can use any of the following methods to set note duration in tablature:

                                                    • Press Shift+1 to Shift+9: Sets duration from a 128th note to a longa (availability of these shortcuts may depend on the platform and/or keyboard layout);
                                                    • Press NumPad1 to NumPad9: Sets duration from a 128th note to a longa (if a numeric keypad exists and NumLock is on);
                                                    • Click on a note duration icon in the Note Input toolbar above the document window;
                                                    • Press Q to decrease the selected duration and W to increase it.

                                                    Edit notes

                                                    In Note input mode

                                                    To edit an existing fret mark in note-input mode:

                                                    • Position the cursor above the fret mark and simply retype the number.
                                                    • Increment or decrement the fret mark using Alt+Shift+↑ or Alt+Shift+↓.

                                                    In Normal mode

                                                    To edit an existing fret mark in Normal mode:

                                                    1. Select one or more fret marks.
                                                    2. Use any of the following commands:
                                                      • To increment or decrement, without changing the string: Press ↑ / ↓.
                                                      • To increment or decrement, changing strings, when possible, to minimize the fret number: Press Alt+Shift+↑ / ↓
                                                      • To move to an adjacent string (if the string is free and can produce that note): Press Ctrl+↑ / ↓ (Mac: Cmd+↑ / ↓). Alternatively, use the mouse to drag the fret mark up or down to an adjacent string.

                                                    Note: The fret mark cannot be higher than the "Number of frets" value set in the Edit String Data dialog.

                                                    Crosshead notes

                                                    To change a fret mark to a crosshead note:

                                                    1. Select one or more fret marks (in non-note-input mode).
                                                    2. Press Shift+X to toggles ghost noteheads on/off.

                                                    Summary of keyboard commands

                                                    Note input mode

                                                    Type: to get:
                                                    ↑ Select above string as current.
                                                    ↓ Select below string as current.
                                                    Shift+1 to Shift+9 Select a duration (128th note to a longa)
                                                    NumPad 1 to NumPad 9 Select a duration (128th note to a longa)
                                                    Q Decrease current input duration.
                                                    W Increase current input duration.
                                                    0 to 9 Enter a fret digit / letter.
                                                    A to K Enter a fret digit / letter (I excluded).
                                                    Alt+Shift+↑ Increase current fret mark.
                                                    Alt+Shift+↓ Decrease current fret mark.
                                                    ; (semicolon) Enter a rest

                                                    Normal mode

                                                    Type: to get:
                                                    0 to 9 Change duration of selected note or rest (128th note to longa)
                                                    Alt+Shift+↑ Increase the pitch of the selected note (MuseScore chooses the string).
                                                    ↑ Increase the pitch without changing string.
                                                    Alt+Shift+↓ Decrease the pitch of the selected note (MuseScore chooses the string).
                                                    ↓ Decrease the pitch without changing string.
                                                    Ctrl+↑ (Mac: Cmd+↑) Move note to above string, keeping the pitch.
                                                    Ctrl+↓ (Mac: Cmd+↓) Move note to below string, keeping the pitch.
                                                    Shift+X Toggle the ghost notehead on/off.

                                                    External links

                                                    • Video tutorial: MuseScore in Minutes: Lesson 7 - Tablature and Drum Notation