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the use of different metres per staff

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:32 am
by JJVE
In some of the earlier music I edit I need to be able to use different metres in different staves at the same time. Currently one can only change the metre per bar and it then applies to all the staves at the same time. It would be great if I could unlink the staves and change the metre per staff.
JJ van Elburg

the use of different metres per staff

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 1:56 pm
by Peter Thomsen
Actually the layout "staggered barlines" has been possible in Finale for many years - via several clever workarounds.

The attached files demonstrate some of the workarounds.

I don't know the nature of the "earlier music" you are editing, but I'm pretty sure that the desired layout is possible with Finale 2008.

Indeed it would be nice if Finale had a "built-in" solution for staggered barlines, so you didn't have to use these workarounds.
I know that many Finale users have requested the feature "staggered barlines".
We just might get that feature some day.

But don't hold your breath.
Finale's document format is basically some sort of data base file format - with the measure as a primary data container.
Staggered barlines will require a major re-designing of the way Finale works "under the hood".

Re: the use of different metres per staff

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 5:55 am
by 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