Master palette

Updated 4 years ago
This page shows old instructions for MuseScore 2.
For MuseScore 4 users, see Master palette.

The Master Palette is a repository of symbols used to populate the workspaces (Basic, Advanced, and Custom). It is also used to create new Time Signatures and Key Signatures.

To open, use either of the following options:

  • Press Shift+F9 (Mac: fn+Shift+F9).
  • From the menu, select ViewMaster Palette.

Master Palette

The Master palette is divided into sections based on symbol type. Hovering the mouse over an item shows a tool tip (a short definition in black on yellow background).

To transfer a Master palette item to a custom palette:

  • Drag the symbol from the Master Palette window into a custom palette.

Note: Except for the Symbols section (below), it is not usual to add items directly to the score from the Master palette: use the workspace palettes instead. However, if desired, items can be added directly using either (i) drag-and-drop or (ii) by selecting one or more notes/rests and double-clicking the item.

Symbols

The Symbols section of the Master Palette is a large repository of hundreds of musical symbols in addition to those found in the preset workspaces. You can open it from the Master Palette, or directly from the score by using the shortcut Z.

Symbols

Find a symbol

The symbols are listed under their respective musical font types: use the font menu on the bottom right of the box to specify Emmentaler, Gonville or Bravura. You can search for a particular symbol by entering a keyword in the search box.

Apply a symbol

To add an item to the score from the Symbols section, use any of the following options:

  • Drag and drop a symbol onto a staff.
  • Select a note or rest and double-click a symbol.

The position of the symbol can be adjusted by dragging or by changing the horizontal / vertical offsets in the Inspector. Color and visibility can also be adjusted in the Inspector.

Note: Elements from the Symbols section do not follow any positioning rules (in many cases unlike identical elements from other sections of the Master Palette), nor do they affect score playback.

Connect symbols

Elements from the Symbols section can be connected to each other on the score page, so that they can be moved as one unit:

  1. Apply first symbol to the score. Adjust position as required.
  2. Double click, or drag-and-drop, a second element onto the first symbol. Adjust position as required.

Drag the first element and the attached element will follow.

See also

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