Fermata (spanish = calderón) sign

• Mar 2, 2019 - 00:04

Hi, gang!!!

I'm using MuseScore 3.0.4, but it could be the same in other versions.

When we use a fermata sign, this symbol is putting only in the staff we were selected some note, not on all the staves we are using at that moment.

I guess this is the international standard way (maybe): only one fermata sign to all the score.

But... I understand that a fermata is applied to all the staves and instruments at that time because obviously reasons: rhythm synchronization.

So... Why MuseScore doesn't put the fermata sign on all over the staves, in the point we put it, even the fact we didn't selected all the score staves, automatically?

Or... Did I miss something here???

Blessings and Greetings from Chile!!!

JUAN

Comments

• Mar 2, 2019 - 01:30

The best reason I can think of is through an example. If a fermata is applied to an instrument with a whole rest, then another instrument has the fermata on a quarter note on the 3rd beat, with more notes starting on the 4th beat, another instrument has a half note on the 2nd beat with a fermata with rests or whatever, how does MuseScore know which notes get the fermata in the other instruments? The answer is that the user must apply the fermata to the correct notes. I've also seen where one instrument has a whole rest while other instruments have more than one fermata in the measure. The difficulty lever of determining where to put the fermata rises with each variable and finally it takes the freedom of the composer, or at least complicates it, to do what he wants with the fermatas.

It is normal for all instruments to have the fermata on the measure to show what's happening.

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• Mar 2, 2019 - 14:56

Hi, mike320!!!

I think it would be very "weird" to use a fermata in a place where the instruments have to play different rhythm figures.

Normally, we use fermata at the end of some section, where all the instruments are playing the same rhythm note (long notes, mostly).

So... If I put a fermata into the flute long note, of course I expect all the other instruments have the same long note.

In that cases... Why not to put a fermata, automatically, in all the staves???

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• Mar 3, 2019 - 02:52

Maybe sometimes all instruments have the same trhythm, but it's by no means always or even usually the case.
That is, just because flutes have a whole note doesn't mean everyone does. Oboes might have two half notes with the fermata on the second one, clarinets might have four quarter notes with the fermata on the last. So since you'll have to add it to all staves in those case, for consistency it's pretty sensible todo it yourself in the other cases too.

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• Mar 3, 2019 - 03:09

Hi, Marc!!!

Of course, all rule has some exception: Not always all instruments play the same rhythm note in a fermata.

Whateve...I'm not an expert in this area. I often write choral or male quartet scores only, sometimes with instrumental background played by MuseScore (not real human players) and I don't use fermata, too much.

But... I just wonder, thinking on people who has a real human orchestra... How the orchestra musician will play some fermata if I put just one fermata only in the piccolo flute (the superior staff) when they read the printed parts, which I assume will be printed without the fermata (because only the piccolo flute part will have the fermata symbol)???

Or... Does MuseScore put a fermata, in that bar, on each printed part, automatically???

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