Time signatures popover

The table shows some examples of what to enter into the time signatures popover, and the time signatures that are input into the music as a result.

You can open the time signatures popover in Write mode in any of the following ways:

  • Press Shift-M.

  • Choose Write > Create Time Signature.

Type of time signature

Popover entry

Simple time signatures.

For example, 2/4, 6/8, 3/4, 5/4 and so on.

2/4, 6/8, 3/4, 5/4, and so on.

Time signatures with a pick-up.

For example, a 4/4 bar with a dotted quarter note pick-up, or a 6/8 bar with pick-up of two eighth notes (quavers).

4/4,1.5, 6/8,2, and so on.

Alternating time signatures, such as 6/8+3/4.

Note

You must include spaces either side of the plus sign.

6/8 + 3/4

Common time, the equivalent of 4/4

c

Cut common time, the equivalent of 2/2

cutc or ¢

Open meter

X or x

Additive time signature with explicit beat grouping.

3+2+2/8, 3+2/4, and so on.

Specify beat grouping, but don’t show it in the time signature.

For example, show a time signature of 7/8 but beaming is subdivided into 2+3+2 eighth notes.

[2+3+2]/8

Aggregate time signature: a dashed barline is shown in the bar to show the division between the different meters.

2/4|6/8

Interchangeable time signature, with different styles: parenthesized, slash, equals sign, and dashed.

Note

You must include spaces either side of the slashes, equals signs, or dashes, and between numbers and parentheses.

2/4 (6/8), 2/4 / 6/8, 2/4 = 6/8, or 2/4 – 6/8

This list is not comprehensive, as there are many possible time signatures. It is intended to illustrate how you can structure your entry to input different time signatures.