Fermatas creating unwanted effect
I have a score with a semibreve with a fermata in lower parts, and a dynamic melody in the uppermost part. (attached)
The fermatas seem to be affecting the upper part, lengthening the quaver in bar 4 to the length of a crotchet. Happens again later, bar 6, same problem.
Is this happening on your setup, please?
If so, any ideas why?
I tried to attach my mp3 demonstration but it wasn't allowed.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Grey Mare's Tail 432.00 extract.mscz | 78.17 KB |
Comments
When MU4 sees the fermatas in the lower parts in measure, it slows the tempo for the entire measure. That's how it plays the 200% slowdown. This also slows down the melody for that measure. We loose the melody rhythm. I suspect you don't want that. So what is more important to you? Play back or parts you would hand to players (singers)? One way to get playback would be to change the whole notes to two half notes tied together. Then place a fermata over the second half note. One advantage to that would be that the other singers would know exactly where the fermata would be. But not everyone likes the look of it.
In reply to When MU4 sees the fermatas… by bobjp
Hmm... I used to do what you suggest, but was told off by my very well respected teacher. It looks fussy, and in recognised books on notation it is ill-advised. I'll just hope for MS4 to playback as MS3 did, whichever way the music is notated. Anyway, thanks, at least it wasn't to do with my sound system,
In reply to Hmm... I used to do what you… by Ali Wood
As you are finding out, there is notation, and then there is notation software notation. For the most part they agree. But not always. It is easy for people to say that things should be done a certain way. But that doesn't help those of us trying to use software.
There are composers who would exactly want that fermata on the third beat in all the parts. Yes, they are fussy about things like that.
I have a music education degree. Music theory is just that, theory. Not set in stone. Musicians are not stupid. They aren't going to be confused by two tied half notes with a fermata over the second. Of course a whole note with a fermata over it is simpler.
FWIW, Sibelius has trouble, also.
In reply to When MU4 sees the fermatas… by bobjp
> When MU4 sees the fermatas in the lower parts in measure, it slows the tempo for the entire measure.
I opened the example in MuS 3 and found that the fermatas in measure 1 of the lower voices have the time stretch value '1.00' and therefore nothing should change.
And as Ali Wood said: it works in MuS 3 as it should: in measure 4 the note on beat 3 (solo) has a time dilation of 1.50 and is played back correctly.
I think this is a bug in MuS 4.
Edit: I am an amateur and do not have any type of music degree.