Non-Specific Meter (No Time Signature)

• Oct 22, 2024 - 00:49

Is it possible to have measures that do not have a time signature.

I'm thinking of the case where the music is to be very rubato, where a specific pulse of three-time or four-time really has no meaning. There would be note durations, but of a relative nature, rather than tied to a pulse or metronome.


Comments

In reply to by Herb Ray

More ideas here https://musescore.org/en/handbook/4/mensural-notation-and-mensurstrich#…

And here

https://musescore.org/en/handbook/4/pickup-and-non-metered-measures#non…

Or you can create a time signature that gives you long duration measures 100/4 say and work in continuous view.

My favourite when composing is to use the split and join measure commands to adjust measure lengths if I am experimenting with a fluid pulse.

In reply to by SteveBlower

I think that a combination of Joshua's and Steve's suggestions will work: create a large-ish time signature after the fact, so that it fits the passage, and then hide the time signature so as not to give the impression of an intended meter.

Thanks, guys.

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