User manual

Large time signatures on page 954
Changing the size and position of time signatures on page 955
Types of time signatures
There are different types of time signatures, which can indicate various and complex meters.
NOTE
Dorico Elements uses the denitions for meters commonly used in American English. These
denitions, such as which meters are considered simple and compound, might be different in
other languages.
Simple
In simple time signatures, each beat is divided by two into equal groups of notes.
Simple time signatures can be simple duple, such as 2/4, simple triple, such as 3/4, or
simple quadruple, such as 4/4.
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.
Time signatures
Types of time signatures
951
Dorico Elements 3.5.12