Splits in bars

Dorico Pro Help

Product
Dorico Pro
Version
4.3
Language
English
Document type
Webhelp
ft:openMode
fluidtopics

You can split bars rhythmically by changing the number of beats in each bar. You can split bars visually across system or frame breaks, which might be required in music with an irregular meter or in passages of polymeter.

Splitting bars by inputting new time signatures

You can split bars into two or more bars by changing the time signature at any rhythmic position. New time signatures apply until the next existing time signature or the end of the flow, whichever comes first.

Note

If you change the time signature in the middle of an existing bar, we recommend inputting another time signature at the start of the preceding bar reflecting its new rhythmic duration to avoid confusion.

Splitting bars by inputting new barlines

You can also split bars by inputting new barlines that are not normal (single) barlines anywhere within a bar without affecting the time signature. However, inputting a normal (single) barline anywhere within an existing bar resets the prevailing time signature from that point onwards.

For example, selecting the third quarter note (crotchet) in a 4/4 bar and inserting a new barline causes a new 4/4 bar to start from the added barline. This leaves the equivalent of a 2/4 bar without a time signature to the left of the barline, but the bars to the right of the added barline are in 4/4 and continue to be in 4/4 until the next time signature or the end of the flow, whichever comes first.

Signposts are shown at the position of each barline, excluding short and tick barlines, that you add manually within bars.

Two 4/4 bars with quarter notes
Adding a normal barline halfway through the first 4/4 bar restarts the time signature from that point.