Multiple time signatures with staggered barlines

[bholden]

I am trying to achieve the following:

Staff 1: 3/4 | 2/4 | 2/4 |
Staff 2: 7/4 |

I would also like these measures to not have a barline that connects them in the system. However, the next measure when both line up to 4/4 again, I would like them to have a barline connecting them. Is there a way to achieve this? Could you please describe some of the steps to get me there? Thank you!

[Peter Thomsen]

Take a look at the attached Finale 2011 document.

Is this what you mean?

[bholden]

Yes, this is exactly what I'm looking to do. How did you get there?

[Peter Thomsen]

Open the document I attached.

Staff Tool.

In the Staff menu, select “Show Staff Styles” and “Show Staff Style Names”,
When these two menu items are selected, you will see a coloured band over the regions where a staff style has been applied.

I used two custom made staff styles on the lower staff.

One staff style (on the first two measures) for hiding the barlines, and another staff style (on the first three measures) for independent time signature.
When the staff style “Independent Time Signature” is applied, you can make the first three measures in the lower staff display a time signature of 7/4 - even if their real time signatures are 3/4, 2/4 and 2/4.

[Tyranny1]

OK, I know its been years since this thread died, but just in case anyone is out there, in the same shoes I was in yesterday. I have found the perfect work around!

But first, there are three types of polyrhythms...

1. Same tempo/similar meter (4/4 with 12/8 etc) with aligning bar lines... Finale does this.
2. Assumed different tempo/any two meters with aligning bar lines... Finale does this.
3. Same tempo/different meters with staggered bar lines, and thus aligning beats. Finale does not do this!, BUT...

Here's the trick.

For my example I needed one staff in 3/4 and the other in 4/4 with staggered bar lines and aligning by beats.

1. Enter your parts in both staffs in 1/4, 1/8... or simply in 1 beat measures (eighth notes will not beam across bar lines, sorry)
2. Hide your time signatures and hide bar lines
3. Then change the time signatures (while still hidden) as desired (the notes shouldn't move!).
4. Un-hide time signatures, revealing desired time signature.
5. At 22pt font size use the text tool and enter |'s in place of bar lines.

I know its not perfect, but you'd never know when looking at it and the music will align by beats