Finale Forum

Hi,

My piece is in 3/4 but I have a section which, continues in 3/4 but the phrasing is in 6/8. I don't want to change the time signature to 6/8, want to remain in 3/4 (the tempo remains the same). How to I enter a 6/8 time signature in parentheses?
Using a Mac, Finale 2014.
Thank you, Julian

Insert two empty measures before the section in 6/8.

Use a custom staff style to make those two measures, not “Display Rests in Empty Measures”.

Time Signature Tool.

Double-click the second inserted measure.
In the dialog box Time Signature, click the button “More Options” to expand the view.
In the expanded pane, select “Use a Different Time Signature for Display”.
Change the display time signature:
Number of Beats: 2
Beat Duration: dotted quarter
The real time signature will still be 3/4.

Measure Tool.

Select the two inserted measures. Double-click.
In the Measure Attributes,
- set the Barline to Invisible,
- OK

Select the second inserted measure, and the next measure. Double-click.
In the Measure Attributes,
- de-select “Include in Measure Numbering”,
- OK

Use the Expression Tool to put a left parenthesis before the 6/8, and a right parenthesis after the 6/8.

I would design a custom expression category for the parenthesis expressions:
Default Font: Maestro 72
Justification: Center
Horizontal Alignment: Start of Time Signature
Vertical Alignment: Staff Reference Line
Additional Vertical Offset: -18pt

Move the expressions horizontally until it looks right (a matter of taste).

Measure Tool.

Double-click the first inserted measure.
Adjust the Width to make suitable room for the left parenthesis (a matter of taste).
OK.

Double-click the second inserted measure.
Adjust the Width to make suitable room for the right parenthesis (a matter of taste).
OK.

Thank you very much—what an anthology of instructions! I really appreciate the detailed reply. Will follow instructions after following your previous one regarding space in between staves on only system.

I just want to add my thanks, several years later, for these excellent and detailed instructions. The seventh bar after 172a in Elektra is saved.