Published on MuseScore.org

Sound and playback

MuseScore has "Sound and playback" capabilities built-in. This chapter covers the playback controls and ways to extend the instrument sounds.

Mid-staff instrument changes

    When a musician is required to double on a different instrument for a section of a piece, the instruction to switch instruments is generally placed above the staff at the beginning of that section. A return to the primary instrument is handled in the same manner.

    MuseScore enables users to insert a special class of text called Change Instrument text for this purpose. This class of text is different from either Staff or System text in that it links the text to the playback and changes the sound to the new instrument.

    Instrument changes as of version 2.1

    Version 2.1 introduces a greatly improved mid-staff instrument change over previous versions. There are still some limitations that need to be considered prior to using it.

    1. Mid-staff instrument changes are limited to the same type of staff. For example, you cannot change between a percussion staff and a pitched instrument staff or vice versa.

    2. The instrument name is not changed in the mixer. It will still be listed under the instrument in the original definition of the staff.

    3. The key signature is not automatically updated at the instrument change. You must manually change the Key signature if needed.

    4. You can now enter the notes a musician would play once the instrument is changed and the correct key signature is entered if necessary.

    5. Unless you are changing the type of staff, you will always use the Change Instrument text.

    Instrument changes in version 2.0

    There are several limitations to this in version 2.0 which should be understood before attempting to use it.

    1. Automatic transposition from concert pitch to the appropriate key for the transposing brass and woodwind instruments is not currently supported. For changes to instruments notated in a different key (C flute to E♭ flute; Oboe to English Horn, etc.), the use of ordinary Staff Text to indicate the change is preferable, and the transposition must be done after the music is entered (using Notes→Transpose from the main menu). To avoid discord on playback, the instrument assigned to that staff should be muted in the F10 Mixer.

    2. If it is necessary to hear the new instrument sound on playback, the Change Instrument text function must be used. However, after a mid-staff instrument change where the two instruments on the staff are not notated in the same key, no attempt should be made to enter new music directly from the keyboard. Instead, the music must be (a) pasted in, or (b) entered before the instrument change is affected. New input into measures following an instrument change is subject to two known program bugs, which cannot be resolved in the current 2.0.x versions without adversely affecting backwards compatibility. (This has been fixed in version 2.1) In addition, the score must remain notated in concert pitch, or discord will result from the transposition. As a convenience to the players, a copy of the part may be saved as a separate file and the required sections transposed to the appropriate key before the part is printed. (Note that transposing a linked part will affect the score as well.)

    3. When changing from one concert-pitch instrument to another, or from one transposing instrument to another in the same key (Bb trumpet to Bb cornet or Flugelhorn, etc.), the Change Instrument Text may be used to ensure that the playback sound is altered to the new instrument. Input may be done in the usual manner, and is not affected by the bugs mentioned above.

    Incompatibilities

    There are some incompatibilities between the two versions.

    1. Instrument changes created with version 2.0 and opened in version 2.1 or above will continue to either display the notes wrong or play the notes wrongs as in version 2.0. Deleting and reentering the instrument change will fix most incompatibility issues with only minor changes being needed.

    2. Instrument changes created with version 2.1 or above and opened in version 2.0 will generally playback correctly but continue to display the wrong notes.

    Add an instrument change

    1. Select the start point of the change by clicking on a note or rest.
    2. Open the main palette by typing F9 (or by using the View menu), and click on Text to open the text sub-palette.
      Text palette
    3. Double-click on Instrument
    4. The word "Instrument" will appear above the anchor note or rest.
    5. Double-click the word "Instrument", then type Ctrl+A to select all of it.
    6. Type the actual text you wish to appear in the score, then click outside the box to exit text edit mode.

    7. Right-click the text and choose "Change Instrument…"

      Menu: Instrument change

    8. Choose the instrument, then click OK

      Select instrument change

    See also

    Mixer

      The Mixer allows you to change instrument sounds and adjust the volume and panning for each staff.

      To display/hide the mixer, use one of the following:

      • Press F10 (Mac: fn+F10).
      • From the main menu, select View→Mixer.

      The mixer shows dials for each part

      Note: Separate reverb and chorus effects for each channel are not yet implemented; use the synthesizer effects unit instead.

      The name of each mixer channel is the same as the Part name in the Staff properties dialog.

      Mute and Solo

      • To silence a selected staff, tick its "Mute" checkbox. Repeat as required.
      • To solo a selected staff, tick the "Solo" checkbox for that staff.

      Dials

      To turn a dial clockwise, click and drag upwards. To turn a dial counter-clockwise, click and drag downwards. You can also hover the mouse pointer over the dial and then move the mouse wheel. Double-clicking on any dial restores it to its default position.

      Sound

      The "Sound" drop-down menu lists every instrument supported by your current SoundFont. If you have multiple SoundFonts loaded in the Synthesizer, all the patches from all the SoundFonts (and/or SFZ files) will appear in a single long list—in the order previously set in the Synthesizer.

      Tip: To find an instrument, click on the "Sound" list and type the first letter of the instrument name. Repeat as required.

      Mid-staff sound change (pizz., con sordino, etc.)

      Some instruments come with multiple channels in the Mixer that can be used to change sounds midway through a score. For example, a staff for a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello etc.) is allocated three channels: one for "arco" (or "normal"), another for "pizzicato" and another for "tremolo." A trumpet staff will have one channel for "normal" and another reserved for "mute," and so on.

      The following instructions use pizzicato strings as an example, but the same principle can be applied to any other instrument staff that allows sound changes.

      1. Select the first note of the section you want to be pizzicato;
      2. From the main menu, choose Add→Text→Staff Text;
      3. Type "pizz." This text is for visual reference only and does not affect playback;
      4. Right-click on the applied staff text and select Staff Text Properties…;
      5. In the "Change Channel" tab of the "Staff Text Properties" dialog, select one or more voices on the left;

      6. From the dropdown menu, select pizzicato;

        Staff text properties

      7. Click OK to return to the score.

      Every note after the staff text you added now sounds pizzicato. To return to a normal strings sound later in the piece, follow the same guidelines as above except type "arco" in step 3 and select normal in step 6.

      See also

      Play mode

        Basic playback functions are accessed from the Play toolbar located above the document window:

        Play Toolbar

        From left to right, the icons are:

        • Rewind to start position: Playback returns to the beginning of the score, or to the start of the loop (if one is set).
        • Start or stop playback: See Start/stop playback.
        • Toggle loop playback: See Loop playback.
        • Play repeats: Turn off if you want playback to ignore repeats.
        • Pan score during playback: Turn off if you want the score to remain stationary.
        • Play metronome: See Metronome playback.

        Playback commands

        Start/stop playback

        To start playback:

        1. Click on a note, rest or the blank part of a measure to establish the starting point. Note: If no selection is made, playback returns to the place it left off—or, if no previous playback, to the start of the score.
        2. Press the play button Play Icon button; or press Space.

        During playback you can jump to a specific note or rest in the score by simply clicking on it.

        To stop playback:

        • Press the Playback button; or press Space.

        During playback

        Once playback has started, the following commands are available:

        • Go back to previous chord: ←
        • Advance to next chord: →
        • Go back to start of previous measure: Ctrl+← (Mac: Cmd+←)
        • Advance to start of next measure: Ctrl+→ (Mac: Cmd+→)
        • Rewind to start of score: Home (Mac: ⌘+Home); or press the Rewind button (playback toolbar).

        During playback you can still use keyboard shortcuts to open and close panels, such as Play, Synthesizer, Mixer etc.

        Play panel

        To open the Play Panel use one of the following options:

        • Press F11 (Mac: Fn+F11).
        • From the menu bar, select View → Play Panel.

        Play panel

        The Play Panel offers temporary controls over playback, including playback speed (labelled 'tempo'), loop playback (with specified starting and ending positions), and general volume.

        Note: Changes to the parameters in the Play Panel are not saved with the score: they only affect playback in the current session. Permanent changes to tempo should be made using tempo text. To change the default playback volume of the score, see Synthesizer.

        Count in

        You can switch on and off a count-in to be played each time the playback starts. The count-in plays beats for a full measure (according to nominal time signature at playback starting point); if the starting point is mid-measure or at a 'short' measure (anacrusis), it also plays enough beats to fill that measure. The conductor icon in the play panel enables, or disables count-in.

        Metronome playback

        You can also switch on/off the accompanying metronome as the score is played (see the metronome icon on the play panel).

        Loop playback

        You can loop playback of a selected passage in the score using either the Play toolbar (see image above) or the play panel.

        To loop from the Play toolbar:

        • Playback should be off, and the "Loop playback button" on.
        • Select the desired region of the score for loop playback.
        • Press the playback button.

        Playback will now cycle within the region marked by the blue flags.

        • Use the "Loop playback" button to toggle the loop on or off.

        To loop from the Play Panel:

        • Select the note from which you want playback to start and click on the "Set loop in position" button. The "Loop Playback" button becomes active.
        • Select the last note of the desired playback region and click on the "Set loop out position" button.
        • Press the play button.

        Playback will now cycle within the region marked by the blue flags.

        • You can use the "Loop playback" button to toggle the loop on or off.

        SoundFonts and SFZ files

          Audio playback is provided by MuseScore's onboard synthesizer, which houses a large selection of virtual (or software) instruments—including percussion and sound effects.

          MuseScore supports virtual instruments in two formats:

          • SoundFont (.sf2/.sf3): A single file containing one or more virtual instruments.
          • SFZ (.sfz): A set of audio and definition files containing one or more virtual instruments.

          SoundFonts

          A Soundfont (.sf2/.sf3) is a single file containing one or more virtual instruments. As of version 2.2, MuseScore is installed with a SoundFont called MuseScore_General.sf3. This is a GM (General MIDI) set containing over 128 instruments, sound effects and various drum/percussion kits.

          Note: Older versions of MuseScore are installed with a different Soundfont: MuseScore 2.0–2.1 with FluidR3Mono_GM.sf3; MuseScore 1 with TimGM6mb.sf2.

          GM (General MIDI) is a universal format, so once your score is set up for correct playback using MuseScore's native Soundfont, you should be able to export it in a format of your choice and have it play back on any other user's computer.

          Many different Soundfonts are available on the Internet: some free, some commercial. For a list of free soundfonts, see below.

          Install a SoundFont

          After finding and decompressing a SoundFont (see →below), double-click to open it. In most cases, the SoundFont file type will already be associated with MuseScore, and MuseScore will start and a dialog will appear asking if you want to install the SoundFont. Occasionally an application other than MuseScore will be associated with the SoundFont file type; if this is the case, you will need to right-click or control-click on the file, so as to display a menu from which you can choose to open the file in MuseScore. In either case, when the dialog appears asking if you want to install the SoundFont, click "Yes" to place a copy of the SoundFont file in MuseScore's SoundFonts directory. This directory can be viewed or changed in MuseScore's Preferences, but the default location is:

          • Windows: %HOMEPATH%\Documents\MuseScore2\Soundfonts

          • macOS and Linux: ~/Documents/MuseScore2/Soundfonts

          In contrast to user-added SoundFonts, the initial default SoundFont installed with MuseScore is located in a system directory, meant only for that purpose, which should not be modified. This directory and its default SoundFont file is:

          • Windows (32-bit): %ProgramFiles%\MuseScore 2\sound\MuseScore_General.sf3

          • Windows (64-bit): %ProgramFiles(x86)%\MuseScore 2\sound\MuseScore_General.sf3

          • macOS: /Applications/MuseScore 2.app/Contents/Resources/sound/MuseScore_General.sf3

          • Linux (Ubuntu): /usr/share/mscore-xxx/sounds/MuseScore_General.sf3 (with xxx being the MuseScore version)

          Uninstall

          To uninstall a SoundFont, simply open the folder where its file is installed and delete it.

          SFZ

          An SFZ consists of a bunch of files and directories, an SFZ file and a bunch of actual sound files in WAV or FLAC format, with the SFZ file being a text file that basically describes what sound file is located where and to be used for what instrument and pitch range.

          Note: For full support of SFZ, MuseScore 2.1 or later is need, prior versions had only limited support, namely for Salamander Grand Piano

          Install an SFZ

          After downloading an SFZ (see →below), you need to manually extract all the files that belong to the SFZ (the SFZ file itself and all the subdirectories) into the directory listed above. Leave the subdirectories and their contents as they are.

          Uninstall

          To uninstall an SFZ, simply open the folder where its files are installed (see above) and delete them all.

          Synthesizer

          The Synthesizer is MuseScore's central control panel for sound output. Once a SoundFont has been installed, it needs to be loaded into the Synthesizer in order for MuseScore to use it for playback. To make a different SoundFont the default, load it in the Synthesizer and click Set as Default.

          To display the Synthesizer, go to View → Synthesizer. For more details, see Synthesizer.

          Synthesizer

          List of downloadable soundfiles

          GM SoundFonts

          The following sound libraries conform to the General MIDI (GM2) standard. This specification gives you a sound set of 128 virtual instruments, plus percussion kits.

          Orchestral soundfiles

          Piano soundfiles

          SF2 Pianos
          SFZ Pianos
          • Salamander Grand Piano
            Downloads: version 2 | version 3
            Description: Yamaha C5, 48kHz, 24bit, 16 velocity layers, between 80 MB and 1.9 GB uncompressed
            License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
            Courtesy of Alexander Holm
          • Detuned Piano (244 MB uncompressed)
            License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0
          • Plucked Piano Strings
            Description: 44.1kHz, 16bit, stereo, 168 MB uncompressed
            License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0
          • The City Piano
            Description: Baldwin Baby Grand, 4 velocity layers, 696 MB uncompressed
            License: Public domain
            Courtesy of Big Cat Instruments
          • Kawai Upright Piano, release 2017-01-28
            Description: 68 samples, 44KHz, 24bit, stereo, 2 velocity layers, 58MiB uncompressed
            License: GNU General Public License version 3 or later, with a special exception
            Courtesy of Gonzalo and Roberto

          Unzipping downloaded soundfiles

          Since soundfiles are large, they are often zipped (compressed) into a variety of formats, including .zip, .sfArk, and .tar.gz. You need to unzip (decompress) these files before they can be used.

          • ZIP is standard compression format supported by most operating systems.

          • sfArk is a compression format designed especially for compressing SoundFont files. To decompress it, use Polyphone (cross-platform software); or this online service: https://cloudconvert.com/sfark-to-sf2

          • .tar.gz is a popular compression format for Linux. Windows users can use 7-Zip; Mac users can use The Unarchiver, or macOS' built-in Archive Utility. Note that if using 7-Zip, you will need to apply decompression twice—once for GZip and once for TAR.

          Troubleshooting

          If the toolbar play panel is greyed out, or not visible, follow the instructions below to get your sound working again:

          1. Right-click on the menu bar and make sure there is a check mark next to the Playback Controls menu item. If this step does not solve your problem, go to Step 2.
          2. If the play panel disappears after changing the SoundFont, go to Edit → Preferences... → I/O tab and click OK without making any changes. After restarting MuseScore, the play panel should reappear.

          If you are setting up a SoundFont for the first time, please use one of the recommended SoundFonts listed above.

          If playback stutters, then your computer may not not able to handle the SoundFont being used. The following advice may help:

          • Reduce the amount of RAM (memory) used by MuseScore by using a smaller SoundFont. See the list above for suggestions.
          • Increase the amount of RAM available for MuseScore by quitting all applications except MuseScore. If you still have problems and a large SoundFont is important to you, consider more RAM for your computer.

          See also

          Swing

            MuseScore's swing feature allows you to change the playback of your score from a straight to a swing rhythm. Swing can be applied globally or only to a section of the score, and is fully variable.

            Apply swing to a score section

            1. Click on the note where you want swing to start;

            2. Double-click Swing in the Text palette (shown below);

              Swing text

            3. Edit the Swing text as required;

            4. If you need to vary swing from the default setting, right click the Swing text and select System text properties... Click on the "Swing Settings" tab and adjust note duration and "Swing ratio" as required.

            Swing text can be edited just like any other text element: you can change it, style it, make it invisible etc.

            Triplet in tempo marking

            Often this notation is used to indicate swing:

            swing_markings.png

            MuseScore does not have a way to include a triplet in text as a tempo marking, but there is an easy workaround:

            1. Add Swing text as described above and make it invisible (shortcut V, or untick "Visible" in the Inspector);
            2. Add an appropriate Image of the required tempo marking to the score. This can be downloaded from the bottom of the "How To" page: How to create a visual swing marking.
            3. Resize and reposition the image as required.

            Return to straight rhythm

            If you want playback to return to straight time after a swing section:

            1. Add Swing text to the first note or rest of the "straight" section (see above).
            2. Edit the text to indicate a return to straight time: e.g. "Straight."
            3. Right-click on the text and select System Text Properties…. Click on the "Swing Settings" tab and set "Swing to "Off."

            Apply swing globally

            If you wish to apply swing to the whole score, you can do so from the menu:

            1. Select Style → General... → Score.
            2. In the "Swing Settings" section, set the desired note value and "swing ratio."

            Synthesizer

              Overview

              To display the Synthesizer: from the menu, select View→Synthesizer.

              The Synthesizer controls MuseScore's sound output and allows you to:

              • Load and organize different sound sample libraries to play back the music
              • Apply effects such as reverb and compression
              • Adjust overall tuning
              • Alter the output volume of both music and the (optional) metronome.

              The Synthesizer window is divided into four sections/tabs:

              • Fluid: A software synthesizer that plays SF2/SF3 SoundFont sample libraries.
              • Zerberus: A software synthesizer that plays SFZ format sample libraries.
              • Master Effects: Used to apply multi-effects to the score.
              • Tuning: Used to adjust overall playback tuning.

              Save/Load Synthesizer settings

              The buttons at the bottom of the Synthesizer window have the following functions:

              Button Function
              Set as Default Saves all current synthesizer settings as the default settings. These are automatically applied to the Synthesizer when you open MuseScore.
              Load Default Loads the last saved default settings to the Synthesizer.
              Save to Score Saves all current synthesizer settings to the current score only.
              Load from Score Loads the settings from the current score to the synthesizer.

              Notes: (1) "Synthesizer settings" include the order of Soundfonts and SFX files, the effects configuration, master tuning and volume. (2) Only one set of Synthesizer settings can be in effect at a time—i.e. if multiple scores are open at once, it is not possible to make changes to the Synthesizer in one score and leave other scores' settings untouched. (3) Changes to synthesizer settings will not be heard in exported audio files unless saved to the score first (see table, above). See also Tuning (below).

              Fluid

              Click on the Fluid tab to access the control panel for SF2/SF3 SoundFont sample libraries. By default, the SoundFont FluidR3Mono_GM.sf3 should already be loaded.

              Fluid in Synthesizer

              You can load, rearrange and delete soundfonts as required. Playback can be shared between any combination of different soundfonts (and/or SFZ files). The order of soundfonts in Fluid is reflected in the default order of instruments in the mixer.

              To load a soundfont

              1. Click on the Add button
              2. Click on a soundfont in the list.

              To be able to load the soundfont, it first needs to be installed in your Soundfonts folder. This will ensure that it appears in the list in step 2 (above).

              To reorder the soundfonts

              1. Click on a soundfont
              2. Use the up/down arrows (on the right-hand side) to adjust the order.
              3. Repeat with other soundfonts in the list if required.

              If you have not changed any sounds in the Mixer, then the SoundFont at the top of the list is the one that will be used for playback. However, if you are using the Mixer to play different instruments with sounds from different SoundFonts, playback will only work correctly if you have the same SoundFonts loaded in the same order in the Synthesizer. Therefore, if you are using multiple SoundFonts, it is advised to click the Save to Score button in the Synthesizer, so that the next time you open that score you can recall the list of SoundFonts loaded (and other Synthesizer settings) with the Load from Score button.

              To remove a soundfont

              1. Click on the name of the soundfont
              2. Click on the Delete button.

              This removes the soundfont from the synthesizer but does not uninstall it from the Soundfonts folder: it will still be available if you wish to reload it later.

              Zerberus

              Click on the Zerberus tab to access the control panel for SFZ sound sample libraries. You can add or delete files in a similar way to the Fluid tab. Note that, as with Fluid, the the SFZ files must first be installed in your soundfonts folder before they can be loaded into the synthesizer.

              Volume

              At the right in the Synthesizer are two sliders. One controls the playback volume, the other controls the volume of the optional built-in metronome. You can turn the metronome on or off by clicking the button underneath its volume slider. As with all the rest of the Synthesizer controls, any changes made here are temporary unless saved to the score or set as the new default.

              Volume slider in Synthesizer

              Effects

              The Master Effects tab of the Synthesizer allows you to adjust the degree of reverb and, as of version 2.0.3, compression applied to your score.

              Master Effects in Synthesizer

              To turn an effect on or off:

              • Select an option from the drop-down list next to Effect A or Effect B (the effects are applied in series, A → B).

              To store and load effects configurations, use the buttons at the bottom of the Synthesizer window. See Synthesizer settings (above) for details.

              Zita 1 reverb

              The Zita 1 stereo reverb module allows you to simulate the ambience of anything from a small room to a large hall. The pre-delay, reverb time and tone of the reverb can be finely tuned using the controls provided:

              • Delay: Set a pre-delay for the reverb from 20-100 ms.
              • Low RT60 (Low frequency reverb time): Use the grey control to adjust the center frequency (50–1000 Hz) of the low frequency band which you want to affect: the green control adjusts the reverb time (1–8 secs) of this frequency band.
              • Mid RT60 (Mid-range reverb time): Adjust the reverb time (1–8 secs) of the mid-range frequency band.
              • HF Damping: Adjusts the high frequency component of the reverb. Increasing this value increases the frequency of the cut-off point and makes the reverb appear brighter and longer.
              • EQ1: Allows you to cut or boost (-15 to +15) a frequency band (center = 40 Hz - 2 KHz) in the lower part of the spectrum.
              • EQ2: Allows you to cut or boost (-15 to +15) a frequency band (center = 160 Hz - 10 KHz) in the higher part of the spectrum.
              • Output: Controls the amount of effect applied. "Dry" is no effect. "Wet" indicates 100% reverb. "Mix" is a 50/50 balance of wet/dry signal.

              Note: EQ1 and EQ2 affect the tone of the reverb only, not the dry (unprocessed) signal.

              To quickly set up an effects patch, set "Output" to "Mix" and adjust the "Mid RT60" control to the desired reverb time. Then fine tune the effect as explained above.

              SC4 compressor

              The SC4 stereo compressor (available as of version 2.0.3) gives you fine control over the playback's dynamic range, reducing the volume variation between loud and soft sounds. It offers the following controls:

              • RMS: Adjusts the balance between RMS (0) and Peak (1) compression. In the former, the compressor responds to averaged-out levels in the signal; in Peak mode, the compressor responds to peak levels.
              • Attack: (1.5–400 ms) The length of time it takes for compression to engage fully after the signal exceeds the threshold level.
              • Release: (2–800 ms) The time it takes for compression to return to zero after the signal falls below the threshold level.
              • Threshold: (in dB) The signal level above which compression starts to take effect. Lowering the threshold increases the amount of signal that is compressed.
              • Ratio: The amount of compression applied to the signal above the threshold. The higher the ratio, the greater the compression. Varies between 1:1 to 20:1.
              • Knee: Allows you to select a range between "soft knee" and "hard knee". The softer the knee, the more gradual the transition between uncompressed and compressed signal.
              • Gain: Compression tends to lower the volume, so use this control to boost the signal as required.

              To quickly set-up, try setting RMS = 1, Threshold = -20 db, Ratio = 6. Increase Gain to restore the lost volume. Then fine-tune as explained above.

              Tuning

              The Tuning tab is where you can adjust the program's master tuning. For Concert Pitch instruments, A4 = 440 Hz by default.

              Tuning in Synthesizer

              To change the Master tuning:

              • Enter a new value in the Master tuning field, then press Change Tuning.

              Notes: (1) This tuning applies to all scores in the current session only. To make this the program default or to store it to a particular score, see Save/Load Synthesizer settings. (2) To apply the new tuning to exported audio files (WAV, MP3, OGG), press Save to Score before exporting.

              See also

              Tempo

                Tempo markings can be found in the Tempo palette of the Basic and Advanced workspaces. They are supplied as metronome marks, but can be subsequently edited to display any tempo or expression you want. Playback tempo can be varied throughout the score by using multiple tempo markings, visible or invisible.

                Add a tempo marking

                Use any of the following methods:

                • Select a note or rest and press the keyboard shortcut Alt+T.
                • Select a note or rest, and from the menu bar chose Add→Text...→Tempo Marking.
                • Select a note or rest and double-click an appropriate metronome mark in the Tempo palette;
                • Drag-and-drop a metronome mark from the Tempo palette directly onto a note or rest.

                Note: If a tempo marking is applied from the menu or using a keyboard shortcut, the beat note automatically follows the time signature. The advantage of applying from a palette is that you can chose which beat note to use.

                Edit tempo

                To change the tempo of an existing metronome mark in the score:

                1. Enter Edit mode for the tempo mark in question;
                2. Edit the metronome number and/or the beat note as required;
                3. Exit Edit mode.

                You can also override the tempo of an existing metronome mark from the Inspector:

                1. Select the tempo mark;

                2. Untick "Follow text" in the "Tempo Marking" section of the Inspector;

                  Inspector, Tempo

                3. Set the desired playback tempo in the "Tempo" field underneath.

                Note: Playback may be faster or slower if the tempo setting in the play panel is at a percentage other than 100%.

                Edit tempo text

                Tempo marks can be edited and formatted just like any other text object. To set text properties or text style, see Text styles and properties.

                The tempo indicated by a metronome mark usually persists even if overwritten by an expression—such as Andante, Moderato etc. You can also add further text to a plain metronome mark. e.g.

                Metronome mark: Andante quarter note = 75

                Overriding the tempo marking

                You can temporarily override the indicated tempo, and play the score back at any tempo you like using the play panel:

                1. Display the play panel: View→Play Panel or F11 (Mac: fn+F11):

                  Play Panel

                2. Move the tempo slider up or down as required. The tempo is shown both as an absolute value and as a percentage of the currently indicated tempo mark. Double-click the tempo slider to reset it.

                Note: BPM is always measured and displayed in quarter note beats per minute, regardless of the (denominator of the) time signature in effect.

                Ritardando and accelerando playback

                You can simulate ritardando ("rit.") and accelerando ("accel.") playback by adding hidden tempo markings to the score. The printed indication to the musician should be added as staff/system text in addition.

                In the example illustrated below, the tempo was originally 110 BPM (beats per minute). At the ritardando, the tempo decreases by 10 BPM on the first note of each measure. Each tempo change is made invisible by unchecking the Visible checkbox in the Inspector, so that only the ritardando shows on the printed score:

                Ritardando

                A plugin has been developed to automate this process: TempoChanges

                Fermatas

                Fermatas, available in the Articulations and Ornaments palette, have a Time stretch property that can be set via the Inspector. By default, this property is set to 1.00. To have MuseScore play back a fermata for twice its normal duration, click on the fermata and set "Time stretch" to 2.00. This of course does not work for fermatas applied to barlines, as barlines don't have a duration to stretch.

                See also

                Dynamics

                  Dynamics are symbols indicating the loudness of a note or phrase of music. Symbols can be found in the Dynamics palette in either the Basic or Advanced workspace:

                  Dynamics palette (Advanced)

                  Note: Overall playback volume of the score can be changed using the volume slider in the Play Panel or Synthesizer.

                  Add a dynamic

                  To apply a dynamic to the score, use one of the following methods:

                  • Select a note and double-click a dynamic symbol in a palette.
                  • Drag a dynamic symbol from a palette onto a note.

                  For additional dynamics use the Master Palette (Shift+F9). You can also create a custom palette for future use.

                  To create a crescendo or decrescendo sign, see Hairpin.

                  Adjusting playback volume for a dynamic

                  Click on the dynamic to select it, and adjust its Velocity in the Inspector—higher for louder, lower for softer.

                  Adjusting range for a dynamic

                  Via the Inspector you can set the staves affected by a dynamic. The "Dynamic range" is by default set to "part," which means all staves for an instrument will be affected. Changing this to "staff" will limit the dynamic to the staff it is entered on only. Changing this to "System" will cause all instruments to play this dynamic.

                  List of dynamics in palettes

                  In the Basic workspace, there are 8 options in the Dynamics palette: ppp, pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, fff.

                  In the Advanced workspace, there are all of the above plus 15 additional options in the Dynamics palette: fp, sf, sfz, sff, sffz, sfp, sfpp, rfz, rf, fz, m, r, s, z, n.

                  In the Dynamics section of the Master Palette, there are all of the above plus 6 additional options: pppppp, ppppp, pppp, ffff, fffff, ffffff.

                  Edit a dynamic

                  Any dynamic can be edited after being added to the score, just like standard text. See Text editing.

                  See also