How to work without time signature

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justinfromholland
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Post by justinfromholland » Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:16 pm

Hello,

I want to create a piece in which I don't use a specific time signature. Does Finale have this function? See photo below for reference.

:!: I don't want to hide the signature or measure bars, because then I would still be working with a certain time signature but it just wouldn't show, I want wo work without it completely.

Hope I've made my problem clear. Thanks in advance.Image


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motet
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Post by motet » Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:43 pm

If you just enter it with any old time signature like 4/4 or 4/2 or whatever, the JW Meter and Rhythm plug-in will then combine everything in a system into one big measure. You can hide the time signature.

If you really don't want a time signature, you might try Dorico.

justinfromholland
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Post by justinfromholland » Mon Aug 15, 2022 1:08 pm

motet wrote:
Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:43 pm
the JW Meter and Rhythm plug-in will then combine everything in a system into one big measure.
Thanks! Where could I find more information about this plug-in?

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miker
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Post by miker » Mon Aug 15, 2022 1:56 pm

You can find the plugins at https://www.finaletips.nu/index.php/download

Be sure to download the correct plugin, for your platform and Finale version.
Finale 27 | SmartScorePro 64
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society

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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:07 pm

justinfromholland,

1) In your attached example the stems look long.
I would go to the Document Options, and try a lower value for the stem length, like 18pt, or perhaps 15pt.

2) This piece is called “Psalm 1”.
I suppose that the melody has lyrics - right?
In the lyrics you have stressed and un-stressed syllables, thus giving info that makes it less necessary to have barlines/time signature.
The general rule says that
Stressed syllable => downbeat
Unstressed syllable => upbeat

But your layout does not display lyrics.
Because of the lack of lyrics, consider using Tick barlines, to give the performer info about the rhythm stresses.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

justinfromholland
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:02 pm
Finale Version: v27
Operating System: Mac

Post by justinfromholland » Thu Aug 18, 2022 9:36 am

Peter Thomsen wrote:
Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:07 pm
justinfromholland,

1) In your attached example the stems look long.
I would go to the Document Options, and try a lower value for the stem length, like 18pt, or perhaps 15pt.

2) This piece is called “Psalm 1”.
I suppose that the melody has lyrics - right?
In the lyrics you have stressed and un-stressed syllables, thus giving info that makes it less necessary to have barlines/time signature.
The general rule says that
Stressed syllable => downbeat
Unstressed syllable => upbeat

But your layout does not display lyrics.
Because of the lack of lyrics, consider using Tick barlines, to give the performer info about the rhythm stresses.
Thanks for your reply. I didn't write the notes in the example, just took that from the internet as a reference.

There are lyrics, yes, but like in Gregorian, the song is sung without stress. It could be written in a 4/4 or 2/4, but I prefer not to.

justinfromholland
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:02 pm
Finale Version: v27
Operating System: Mac

Post by justinfromholland » Thu Aug 18, 2022 9:40 am

motet wrote:
Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:43 pm
If you just enter it with any old time signature like 4/4 or 4/2 or whatever, the JW Meter and Rhythm plug-in will then combine everything in a system into one big measure. You can hide the time signature.

If you really don't want a time signature, you might try Dorico.
Thanks, it worked. Although it's still not quite what I'm looking for. In the type of notation I'm looking for, the sharps and flats and naturals only last for 1 note. When I merge it into a long measure and hide the time signature, the sharps and flats and naturals will still apply on all the notes that follow in that whole measure.

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