Text types

Updated 19 hours ago
This page shows old instructions for MuseScore 3.
For MuseScore 4 users, see Text types.

Overview

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This chapter describes Musescore Text, a type of score object that contains individual characters that can be entered and removed by using (typing on) a computer keyboard. Some items are text in common sense, but are not Musescore Text - the tr "short" trill ornament marking shown below is Articulations type rather than a Musescore Text subtype, similar misunderstanding often occurs on Time signatures etc.

Chapters immediately after this one, such as Text editing mode, explains features that are only applicable to Musescore Text.

"The tr is Articulation type, as shown on the left of status bar at the bottom. It is not a Musescore Text"

The following chart summaries Musescore Text subtypes. Type or subtype of a single selected score item is displayed on the status bar.

The Features column suggest the most irreplacable features. Leaving out does not imply lack of feature. See their dedicated chapters for musical information. The wording "playback" used below refers to in-program audio created by Synthesizer.

The Anchor column shows item each type always anchor to. Functionalities based heavily on anchor include notably playback, Selecting and copying elements and Musescore Part. Item selected when adding a new item does not neccessary become its anchor. For example, adding a System text requires user to select a note or rest. Definitions of layout terms like system are in the Layout and formatting chapter.

  • Item anchored to a staff is displayed in the Musescore Part that features the staff. Item anchored to a time position is displayed in all.
  • Item anchored to a staff is hidden along with "Hide empty staves within systems" option and the sub-option "Don't hide empty staves in first system" under Format → Style → Score. See the Layout and formatting chapter.
  • Item anchored to a time position is positioned above the top staff of the system. Also, it is not copied with Range selection.
  • Item anchored to a note or a rest is removed when the user updates or removes the item it anchors to.

These types are explored immediately after this chapter.

Type Features Anchor
Staff Text One of the options to change playback sound samples usage. Playback capo transposition. See the Staff Text and System Text and chapter. One of the options for general engraving purpose. Compare and contrast with System Text's anchoring. See also Frame text / text block below. A note or a rest on a staff.
System Text Similar function to Staff Text, see above. A time position.
Chord notations Automatic format. Chord symbol and Nashville number have playback and can generate notes. Roman Numeral cannot. See the Chord notation systems chapter. A note or a rest on a staff.
Fingering Has its own "Text Style" profile. See the Fingering and the Text styles and properties chapters. A note on a staff. Cannot anchor or be copied to a rest.
Lyrics Improved alignment. Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut breaks up words stored in clipboard, paste and then jump to next anchor conveniently. Automatically adjusts layout of melisma entered. See the Lyrics chapter. A note on a staff. Cannot be copied to a rest, can anchor deliberately but not advisable.
Rehearsal mark The boxed B1 item in the Text Palette. Seek with Ctrl+F. Can be re-sequenced across the score. See the Rehearsal marks chapter. A time position.

These types are explored in their respective chapters inside the handbook. Text Palette usage see the Palette chapter.

Type Features Anchor
Expression button on the Text Palette A styled Staff Text. Has its own "Text Style" profile. No playback. See the Text styles and properties chapter. See Staff Text.
Tempo marking Changes playback - tempo and metronome (tick sound). See the Tempo chapter. A time position.
Dynamics marking Such as p, mf. Changes playback loudness. See the Dynamics chapter. Hairpin offers similar function. See the Hairpins chapter. A note or a rest on a staff.
The pizz. button etc on the Text Palette A pre-configured Staff Text. One of the options to changes playback sound samples usage. Also known as Articulation Text (not to be confused with Articulations type which is not Musescore Text). See the Mid-staff sound (channel) change text chapter. See Staff Text.
Instrument change (text) Switches Musescore Instrument starting from the point, which can affect notation drastically. One of the options to change playback sound samples usage. Also known as (mid-staff) instrument change, or Instrument type. See the Mid-staff instrument changes and the Instruments, staff setup and templates chapters. A note or a rest on a staff.
Instrument names (Long and short name) Displayed to the left each system (a layout concept). See the Staff / Part properties chapter. Each system automatically.
Figured bass Extended formatting settings. No playback. See the Figured bass chapter. A note on a staff. Cannot be copied to a rest, can anchor deliberately but not advisable.
Frame text / text block (Title, Subtitle, Composer, Lyricist, and Text (text block type)) One of the options for general engraving purpose. Usually added to the start of a score. Suitable for songsheet, lyrics sheet etc. See the Frames chapter. A frame. Frame anchors to time position.
Headers and Footers Automatically on every page. Suitable for page numbers, copyright info etc. Also for displaying digital data, or tags, stored on the score file. See the Score properties chapter. Each page automatically.
Repeats and jumps Such as Coda, Fine etc. Affects playback. See the Repeats and jumps chapter. A time position (measure boundary).
Sticking Has its own "Text Style" profile. See the Percussion:Sticking chapter. A note on a staff. Cannot be copied to a rest, can anchor deliberately but not advisable.
The Swing button on the Text Palette A pre-configured System Text. Apply swing to playback. See the Swing text chapter. See System Text.
Text Lines including hairpins, cresc---, voltas, ottavas, pedal lines, guitar barre lines etc. Affects playback - loudness, ring duration, note pitch etc. See Musescore Lines and respective chapters. Varies, adjustable.
Measure numbers Automatic creation. Hiding. Skipping. See Layout and formatting: measure numbers, and Measure operations: measure number chapters. Measures automatically.

See also

  • Musescore Lines - Musescore Line object can be configured to show pieces of text, some customization methods applicable to Musescore Text can be applied to them.
  • Notation types

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