How to work without time signature
Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:02 pm
- Finale Version: v27
- Operating System: Mac
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.
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.
- motet
- Posts: 8274
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
- Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
- Operating System: Windows
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.
If you really don't want a time signature, you might try Dorico.
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:02 pm
- Finale Version: v27
- Operating System: Mac
- miker
- Posts: 6009
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:28 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 27.4
- Operating System: Mac
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.
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
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
- Peter Thomsen
- Posts: 6619
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
- Finale Version: Finale v27.4
- Operating System: Mac
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.
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
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:02 pm
- Finale Version: v27
- Operating System: Mac
Thanks for your reply. I didn't write the notes in the example, just took that from the internet as a reference.Peter Thomsen wrote: ↑Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:07 pmjustinfromholland,
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.
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.
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:02 pm
- Finale Version: v27
- Operating System: Mac
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.motet wrote: ↑Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:43 pmIf 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.