Breaths and pauses

Updated 4 years ago
This page shows old instructions for MuseScore 2.
For MuseScore 4 users, see Breaths and pauses.

    Breath and pause markings are available in the Breaths & Pauses palette in the advanced workspace.

    Breaths + Pauses Palette

    Add symbol

    To add a breath or pause (the latter also called a caesura, or informally "tram lines" or "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.

    Breath symbol in score (Emmentaler font)

    The symbol is placed after the note.

    Adjust position

    To adjust the position of the breath or pause, use any of the following options:

    • Click on the symbol and adjust the Horizontal or Vertical offsets in the Inspector.
    • Enter edit mode on the symbol, and use arrow key shortcuts.

    Adjust pause length

    From version 2.1 onwards, you can adjust the pause length (in seconds) of the added symbol using the "Breath" or "Caesura" category in the Inspector.

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