Page 1 of 1
How to work without time signature
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:16 pm
by justinfromholland
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.
Re: How to work without time signature
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:43 pm
by motet
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.
Re: How to work without time signature
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 1:08 pm
by justinfromholland
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?
Re: How to work without time signature
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 1:56 pm
by miker
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.
Re: How to work without time signature
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:07 pm
by Peter Thomsen
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.
Re: How to work without time signature
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 9:36 am
by justinfromholland
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.
Re: How to work without time signature
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 9:40 am
by justinfromholland
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.