User manual

Table Of Contents
Compound
In compound time signatures, each beat is divided by three into equal groups of
dotted notes, such as 6/8, which contains two dotted quarter note beats, or 9/4,
which contains three dotted half note beats.
Irregular
Irregular time signatures, such as 5/4 or 7/8, cannot be subdivided into equal beat
groups. Because the numerator is odd, these time signatures must be divided into
unequal beat groups. For example, 5/4 usually contains a half note beat and a dotted
half note beat.
Additive
Additive time signatures show how bars are subdivided into beat groups. You can
show beat group numerators for any type of time signature. For example, instead of
7/8, you could show an additive time signature of 2+3+2/8.
Alternating
An alternating time signature indicates a regular pattern that switches every bar
between two or more time signatures, in the indicated order. For example, for a
phrase with twelve eighth notes that needs to be emphasized 3+3+2+2+2, an
alternating time signature of 6/8+3/4 might allow the two meters to be read more
clearly.
Interchangeable
An interchangeable time signature indicates a set of time signatures at the start of
the piece that can be used during the piece, such as 3/4–2/4. Unlike alternating time
signatures, interchangeable time signatures do not require a xed pattern; any bar
in the piece can follow any of the time signatures in the set without having to restate
the time signature.
NOTE
You must manually input the appropriate time signatures where you want them, as
unlike alternating time signatures, there is no xed pattern for them. Any time
signatures you input that are specied in the interchangeable time signature are
hidden automatically.
They can have different separator styles in Dorico Elements, which you can set
project-wide and also change individually.
Aggregate
An aggregate time signature shows two or more meters within the same bar, such as
2/4+3/8+5/4. Dorico Elements automatically inputs dashed barlines to show the
divisions between each meter.
Time signatures
Types of time signatures
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