Overview

Many score objects are text-based. For example, the title frame present at the beginning of pieces may contain several different types of text. There may be tempo marks above staves, dynamic indications, such as p or mf, expressions like Andante or Allegro, fingering numbers, lyrics, chord symbols and so on.

A text object is always attached to something else. Some types of text ("Title", "Subtitle" etc.) are associated with frames; others (e.g. staff text) are attached to the staff; jumps and markers go with measures; others (e.g. fingering) with individual notes; "Header" and "Footer" text appears at the head and foot of the score respectively.

See the table below, under "Types of text", for links to handbook pages for specific types of text.

Adding text to your score

A text object may get entered from a palette, the Add menu, or using a keyboard shortcut.

Note: Adding text to a frame is dealt with elsewhere; see Text blocks.

Add text from a palette

To add a text element to your score from a palette, either select one or more notes/rests and click on the desired palette item; or drag the text from the palette onto a note/rest. e.g.

Add text from a menu

If the text object is associated with a staff you can add it by selecting a note, then choosing a text option from Add→Text.

Add text using a shortcut

Many text types can be entered using keyboard shortcuts. You can view a list of shortcuts next to the items in Add→Text.

To create a text object, select a note, then enter the required shortcut.

Editing text

To enter text edit mode use one of the following methods:

• Double click on the text object.
• Select the text object and press Return.
• Select the text object and press F2 or Alt+Shift+E.
• Right-click on the text object and select "Edit element."

You can now add, edit and format the text within the text object.

To leave text edit mode either press Escape or click on a part of the score outside the edit area.

Keyboard shortcuts

The following keyboard shortcuts are available in text edit mode:

Function	Windows & Linux	Mac
Bold (toggle)	Ctrl+B	Cmd+B
Italic (toggle)	Ctrl+I	Cmd+I
Underline (toggle)	Ctrl+U	Cmd+U
Move cursor	Home, End, ←, →, ↑, ↓	(Alt+) ←, →, ↑, ↓
Remove character to the left of the cursor	Backspace	Delete
Remove character to the right of the cursor	Del	→ Delete or Fn+Del
Start new line	↵	return
Insert special characters (see below)	F2	Fn+F2

Special characters

Characters not available from the standard keyboard may be accessed using the Special Characters window.

To open Special Characters In text edit mode, press Shift+F2; or click on Insert special characters in the Text section of the Properties panel.

The dialog is divided into 3 tabs: Common symbols, musical symbols and unicode symbols. The musical and unicode tabs are further subdivided into alphabetically-arranged categories.

Clicking an item in the Special Characters dialog immediately adds it to the text where the cursor is positioned. Multiple items can be applied without closing the dialog box, and the user can even continue to type normally, delete characters, enter numerical character codes etc., with it open.

A few special characters can also be created using shortcuts—see below.

Special character shortcuts

Character	Windows & Linux	Mac	Note
Sharp ♯	Ctrl+Shift+#	Cmd+Shift+#	May not work on some keyboard layouts
Flat ♭	Ctrl+Shift+B	Cmd+Shift+B
Natural ♮	Ctrl+Shift+H	Cmd+Shift+H
Piano p	Ctrl+Shift+P	Cmd+Shift+P
Forte f	Ctrl+Shift+F	Cmd+Shift+F
Mezzo m	Ctrl+Shift+M	Cmd+Shift+M
Rinforzando r	Ctrl+Shift+R	Cmd+Shift+R
Sforzando s	Ctrl+Shift+S	Cmd+Shift+S
Niente n	Ctrl+Shift+N	Cmd+Shift+N
Z z	Ctrl+Shift+Z	Cmd+Shift+Z
Elision ‿	Ctrl+Alt+-	Cmd+Alt+-

Types of text

	Text type	Uses
	Staff text	General purpose text attached to a single staff: appearing only in that instrument part.
	System text	General purpose text attached to a single staff: appearing in all instrument parts.
	Chord symbols	Display the chords associated with a melody: usually above the staff.
	Fingering	Numbers or letters attached to notes showing which fingers to use.
	Lyrics	Create lyrics attached to a melody.
	Rehearsal marks	Facilitate rehearsals, divide score into sections, bookmark passages etc.
	Dynamics	Indicate the loudness of a note or phrase.
	Figured bass	Period notation for keyboarders.
	Frame text	Title/composer/lyricist details at the start of a score; song sheet lyrics etc.
	Headers/Footers	Page numbers, copyright info etc. at the top/bottom of a page.
	Instrument text	Apply mid-staff instrument changes.
	Repeats and jumps (voltas)	Da Capo, Dal segno, Fine etc.
	Roman Numeral Analysis (RNA)	A chord analysis system.
	Sticking	Letters (L and R) attached to (drum) notes showing which hand or foot to use.
	Swing text	Change from straight to swing time, and vice versa.
	Tempo marks	Apply metronome and/or expression marks.
	Text-lines	Voltas, ottavas, pedal lines, guitar barre lines etc.

Overview—levels of formatting

There are three levels of text formatting in MuseScore:

1. Text style
2. Text object
3. Character

Text style

When you create a text object in the score it automatically assumes a style appropriate to its class. For example, a tempo mark will have the “Tempo” style; a fingering number, the "Fingering" style and so on.

A style consists of a group of text properties (font-size, align, offset etc.) with specific values. You can view the full range of text styles in Format→Style→Text Styles.

To check the style of a selected text object, click the More button in the Text section of the Properties panel. The style name will be visible under "Text style".

Text style is the top level of formatting.

Text object properties

The text properties of a particular, selected text object can be viewed and edited in the Text section of the Properties panel.

This is the second-level of formatting—the text object level.

Character formatting

Individual characters within a text object may themselves be formatted independently.

This is the third level of formatting—the character level.

Formatting hierarchy

Character formatting overrides Text object formatting, which, in turn, overrides Style.

Applying text properties

Apply to a text object

After clicking on a text object you can edit its text properties in the Text section of the Properties panel.

Click More to see:

Apply to characters

In order to edit the characters within a text object you need to enter text edit mode using one of the following methods:

• Double-click on the text object.
• Select the object and press F2 or Alt+Shift+E
• Right-click on the element and select Edit element

Then you can apply formatting to highlighted characters using the Text section of the Properties panel, and/or keyboard shortcuts (see Editing text).

Note that certain properties in the Properties panel are not applicable to characters—such as "Alignment", "Frame", "Text style" and so on. If you attempt to apply them, they are added to the text object instead.

Setting style defaults

If you want to change the default style properties of a particular class of objects, you can do so in the Style menu: From the menu bar, select Format→Style→Text Styles.

However, it is often better to do this from the Properties panel itself:

1. Select a score object of the style in question;
2. Edit a property;
3. Click on the ellipsis (…) above the property and select "Save as default style for this score".
4. Repeat for other properties as required.

Selecting different text styles

If you wish to change the text style associated with a text object:

1. Click on the text object.
2. Click the More in the Text section of the Properties panel.
3. Select a new style from the dropdown list under "Text style".

Position

For text objects applied to the staff, the default position may be above or below the staff. This may be changed at the style or text object level with the Position property (Above/Below).

Overview

Staff text and System text is general purpose text attached to a staff. It can be used for a variety of purposes not covered by other more specific types of text, e.g.

• Musical expressions.
• Performance indications.
• Applying titles to movements.
• Capo playback for guitarists (staff text only).
• Applying swing and straight time (staff or system text).

and so on.

Staff text appears on only one staff in a system, applies only to that staff, and is present in its instrument part.

System text appears above the top staff of a system, applies to all staves, and is present in all the instrument parts.

Staff and system text can also be found incorporated into lines.

Adding staff text to your score

1. Select a note
2. Use one of the following methods:
   • Press Ctrl+T.
   • From the menu, select Add→Text→Staff text.
   • Click on the "Staff text" icon in the Text palette
3. Enter the desired text in the bounding box.

Alternatively, drag the "Staff text" icon onto a note in the score before entering the desired text.

Adding expression text to your score

1. Select a note
2. Use one of the following methods:
   • Press Ctrl+E.
   • From the menu, select Add→Text→Expression text.
   • Click on the "Expression text" icon in the Text palette
3. Enter the desired text in the bounding box.

Alternatively, drag the "Expression text" icon onto a note in the score before entering the desired text.

Adding system text to your score

1. Select a note
2. Use one of the following methods:
   • Press Ctrl+Shift+T.
   • From the menu, select Add→Text→System text.
   • Click on the "System text" icon in the Text palette
3. Enter the desired text in the bounding box.

Alternatively, drag the "System text" icon onto a note in the score before entering the desired text.

Repeating system text on other staves

System text automatically appears above the top staff of the system. If you need a similar indication on a lower staff, add it to that staff using staff text.

[Adding automatically via a template? – to be added]

Staff and system text properties

Staff text properties, for swing and capo settings, can be accessed as follows:

1. Right-click on the text object
2. Select Staff text properties
3. Choose one of the following tabs:
   • Swing settings
   • Capo settings

System text only has one property, swing, and this is applied using a similar context menu.

Staff and system text style

Some default properties for all staff text in the score can be set from Format→Style→Staff text.

And for system text lines, from Format→Style→System text line.

Overview

A variety of tempo markings/marks may be found in the Tempo palette. These include

• Metronome marks:
• Text indications: Andante, Allegro etc.
• Metric modulations:
• Tempo change lines: rall., accel. etc.

Metronome marks, text, and metric modulations modify the tempo of score playback once from the point at which they are applied. Tempo change lines work with the existing tempo and vary it over a range of notes.

If required, you can override the written tempo temporarily using the Playback panel.

A tempo mark is a form of system text; it appears above the top stave but applies to all staves in the system.

Adding a tempo mark to your score

To add a metronome mark, tempo text or metric modulation to the score, use one of the following methods:

• Select one or more notes/rests and click on a tempo symbol in a palette.
• Drag a tempo symbol from a palette onto a note/rest.
• From the menu bar, select Add→Text, and click on Tempo marking.

To add a tempo change line, use the same method as for lines.

Using metronome markings

A metronome mark consists of a musical note indicating the duration of the beat, an equals sign, then a number showing the beats per minute (bpm). So the following mark

indicates a tempo of 80 quarter notes (crotchets) per minute, and so on.

Using text markings

The Tempo palette also contains text markings, such as Andante, Allegro etc. The background tempo can be read off in the Tempo section of the Properties palette.

Changing appearance of tempo markings

Tempo markings can be edited just like any other text object: see Entering and editing text.

To edit the appearance of Tempo change lines, see line properties.

Changing playback of tempo markings

Metronome marks

You are free to change the tempo number as required.

Tempo text

You can override the written tempo by unchecking "Follow written tempo" in the Tempo section of the Properties panel, and setting a new tempo in the "Override written tempo" box.

Tempo change lines

You can set the Tempo "Change amount" and "Easing method" in the Playback: General section of the Properties panel.

Repeating tempo markings on other staves

Tempo text always appears on the top staff of the system. If you need to see it on lower staves as well, use staff text and insert the beat note as a special character.

Tempo properties

See above—Changing playback of tempo markings.

Tempo style

Default positioning properties of tempo markings can be set in Format→Style→Tempo text.

Overview

Lyrics are a form of text associated with melody lines on staves. e.g.

As you can see in the example above, lyrics are entered syllable by syllable, those within words being connected by hyphens. Underscore lines or hyphens (depending on the context) are used to indicate melismas, where a syllable extends over several notes (see below).

Lyrics are organized into verses, with verse 1 at the top and subsequent verses in order below.

Adding lyrics to your score

In order to enter new lyrics, or to edit/format existing ones, you need to be in lyrics mode.

There are two ways to enter lyrics mode:

• Start from a selected note—see Entering syllables (below).
• Start from an existing lyric syllable—see Editing existing lyrics.

Entering syllables

1. Select the desired start note, and enter lyrics mode by pressing the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+L (Mac & Linux: Cmd+L). This will create a bounding box ready for text input.
2. Type the syllable;
3. To enter a connected syllable, press - (hyphen), then enter the new syllable.
4. To move forward to a new word (from any point in a syllable), press Space, Alternatively, and only if you are at the end of a word, press → (right arrow).
5. To enter a non-breaking space, type Ctrl+Space.
6. To enter a melisma, see below.
7. To move forward or backwards one character at a time, jumping between syllables, press →/← (right/left arrows).
8. To move backwards one syllable, press Shift+Space.

Entering a melisma

A melisma is a syllable that extends over more than one note.

If the melisma is at the end of a word it should be notated by an underscore line:

• Starting from the end of the previous syllable, press _ (underscore) for as many notes as the melisma extends.

If a melisma occurs in the middle of a word it may be notated by hyphens instead:

• Starting from the end of the previous syllable press - (hyphen) for as many notes as the melisma extends.

Entering multiple verses

To enter subsequent verses, simply repeat the steps shown under Entering syllables. Lyrics entry automatically starts in the space beneath the last entered verse.

In lyrics mode you can move up and down between verses using the keyboard arrows, ↑ and ↓.

Entering lyrics onto rests

By default, the cursor skips over rests in lyrics mode. However, It is possible to enter a syllable on a rest by selecting the rest, (re-)entering lyrics mode and typing the syllable. Then you can continue entering lyrics as above.

Special characters within lyrics

Characters not available from the computer keyboard may be entered in lyrics mode using the Special characters palette. A special case is highlighted below:

Elision slur

An Elision slur (lyric slur or synalepha) is a symbol used to join two syllables together under one note.

For example, to create the lyrics text below, starting with the syllable text "te":

1. Type te;
2. Open the Special Characters palette;
3. Click one of the elision slurs in the "Common Symbols" tab
4. Type A.

Escaping characters (that cannot be normally typed while entering Lyrics)

In most cases, lyrics can be edited just like normal text. However, special keyboard shortcuts are required to enter the following characters:

• Space character: Ctrl+Space (Mac & Linux: Alt+Space).

• - (hyphen): Ctrl+- (Mac & Linux: Alt+-).

• _ (underscore): Ctrl+Shift+_ (Mac & Linux: Alt+Shift_).

• Line feed: Ctrl+↵ (Mac & Linux: Alt+Return) or Enter (from the numeric keypad).

Editing existing lyrics

To make additions or changes to existing lyrics, click on a syllable and use a text edit mode shortcut to enter lyrics mode.

Delete lyrics

Lyrics are automatically deleted with their parent notes. You can also delete lyrics while leaving the notes intact, by selecting the lyrics and pressing Delete.

Entering lyrics above the staff

If you wish to position all lyrics above, instead of below, the staff:

1. From the menu bar, select Format→Style→Lyrics;
2. Set Placement to "Above".

You can of course do the same thing by selecting all lyrics in the score and changing Position to "Above" in the text section of the Properties panel.

Changing verse number of lyrics

Each verse attached to the staff is allocated a verse number—with the lowest positioned at the top and highest at the bottom. (You can of course prepend a number to the beginning of each verse, but this is a visual indication only.)

To change the verse number, select the verse and adjust "Set to verse" in the Lyrics section of the Properties panel.

Copying lyrics

Copying lyrics within MuseScore

Lyrics are automatically copied with their parent notes, but you can also copy lyrics on their own without the notes.

Copy to the same verse

1. Select a range or list of lyrics syllables;
2. Apply cut/copy;
3. Select a destination note in the same verse
4. Paste the lyrics.

Note that the destination range should be clear of existing lyrics, otherwise the clipboard contents will be pasted on top of them.

Copy to a different verse

1. Select a range or list of lyrics syllables;
2. Apply Copy;
3. Assign the selected lyrics a new verse number (see above);
4. Click on the first note of the lyrics selection;
5. Paste. This will replace the missing lyrics.

Note: Lyrics always paste into the same verse they were copied from.

Copying lyrics to other programs

All lyrics attached to staves can be copied to the clipboard from the menu using Tools→Copy lyrics to clipboard.

Lyrics properties

See Changing verse number of lyrics.

Lyrics style

You can adjust global lyrics properties from Format→Style→Lyrics.

Placement / Position above / Position below: Sets the default positioning of lyrics in relation to the music staff.
Line height: The space between verse lines.
Min top/bottom margin: The distance above and below the lyrics block to the staves above and below.
Min. distance: The minimum distance allowed between syllables. Increase this if the lyrics are too squashed.
Lyrics hyphen: Here you will find a number pf properties which allow you to control how the hyphens between syllables are displayed.
Lyrics melisma: Ditto for melismas.

Types of fingering

Fingering symbols for various instruments are found in the Fingerings palette; some of these are duplicated in the Guitar palette.

Mouse over the palette icons to reveal the names of the symbols.

The different types of fingerings are as follows:

• Fingering; In keyboard notation, used to indicate left and right hand fingering. Also used in guitar music for left hand fingering.
• LH guitar fingering: In guitar notation, 1–4, indicates the left-hand fingers. 0 (zero), an open string. T, the left hand thumb. Can also be used in keyboard music.
• RH guitar fingering: In guitar notation, used to indicate the right hand fingers, namely: p = thumb, i = index, m = middle, a = ring/annular, c = little.
• String number (circled): In guitar notation, used to indicate the strings (1–6, top to bottom). 0 (zero) is used for the open string.
• Other fingering: Lute fingerings may be found by clicking "More" in the Fingerings palette.

Adding fingering to your score

Note: If you want fingering to be displayed in tablature, right-click on the TAB, and select Staff/Part Properties…→Advanced Style Properties; then check the box labelled "Show fingering in tablature"

Adding fingering from a palette

To add fingering to a selection of notes:

1. Select one or more notes;
2. Click on the desired fingering symbol in a palette.

Alternatively, you can drag and drop a fingering symbol from a palette onto a single note.

When fingering is added to a note, the focus immediately shifts to the symbol, so you can adjust it right away.

Adding fingering using a keyboard shortcut

1. Select a start note;
2. Choose one of the following options:
   • (for any fingering) Add the desired fingering symbol from a palette (as shown above);
   • (for Fingering only) Enter the custom keyboard shortcut for "Add Fingering," then type the desired number.
     (Note: you can create this shortcut from the menu Edit→Preferences→Shortcuts
3. Choose one of the following options:
   • To move the cursor to the next note: Press Space, or Alt+→;
   • To move the cursor to the previous note: Shift+Space, or Alt+←;
4. Type the desired number; a fingering is added of the same type as the initial one .
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 as required;
6. Press Esc, or click on an empty space in the document window, to exit.

Adding fingering using the menu

1. Select the start note;
2. From the menu bar, select Add→Text→Fingering;
3. Type the fingering number of the first note;
4. Press space to move to the next note; and so on.

Adjusting position

To edit fingering position, see Changing position of elements.

Some fingerings can be flipped to the other side of the staff using the X shortcut, or the Flip direction icon on the note input toolbar.

Changing the appearance of fingering

The text formatting of fingering elements can be adjusted in the Text section of the Properties panel. See Formatting text for details.

Fingering properties

General and text properties for fingering can be edited from the Properties panel.

For General properties see General settings.

For Text properties, see Formatting text.

Fingering style

Each of the different classes of fingering have their own text style. These can be viewed and edited from the menu: Format→Style→Text styles.

See also

• Drum sticking

Overview

A chord symbol is an abbreviated way of representing a musical chord and its harmony.

MuseScore supports the following notations:

• Chord symbol: Alphabetical chord name plus chord quality. e.g. Am,
• Nashville Number System (NNS): Arabic numeral plus chord quality. e.g. 6m,
• Roman Numeral Analysis (RNA): Roman numeral plus chord quality. e.g. vi.

Adding chord symbols to your score

Entering a chord symbol

1. Select a start note, note slash, or rest;
2. Press Ctrl+K (Mac: Cmd+K). The cursor is now positioned above the staff ready for input.
3. Enter the chord symbol using the following characters:
   • Root note: a, b, c, d, e, f, g. (the lower case will automatically change to upper-case when you exit the chord symbol)
   • Sharp: # (hash).
   • Flat: b (small letter "b").
   • Double sharp: x (small letter "x") or ## (two hash symbols).
   • Double flat: bb (small letter "b" twice).
   • Natural: Ctrl+Shift+H.
   • Space: Ctrl+Space (Mac: Alt+Space);
   • For other symbols, see Chord symbol syntax (below).
4. To move the cursor forward to the next chord/rest/beat, press Space. For other ways of moving the cursor, see navigation commands (below);
5. Exit chord symbol mode by pressing Esc.

Chord names and accidentals

When you exit a chord symbol, any characters entered are automatically converted to the correct format. A root note typed in lower case turns into upper case (for alternative options, see Automatic Capitalization). And characters entered for accidentals are automatically converted into professional glyphs. For example, a "#" (hash character) automatically becomes a sharp sign (♯). Don't input, or copy and paste, unicode characters, such as U+266F (sharp sign, ♯), or U+266D (flat sign, ♭) etc, as MuseScore will not render them correctly in chord notation.

Navigation commands

The following is a summary of keyboard shortcuts used to move the cursor in chord symbol entry mode:

Action	Command (Windows)	Command (macOS)
Move cursor to next note, rest, or beat	Space	Space
Move cursor to next beat	; (semicolon)	;
Move cursor to previous note, rest, or beat	Shift+Space
Move cursor to previous beat	: (colon)	:
Move cursor to next measure	Ctrl+→	Cmd+→
Move cursor to previous measure	Ctrl+←	Cmd+←
Move cursor by duration number	Ctrl+1-9	Cmd+1-9
Exit chord symbol entry	Esc	Esc

Chord symbol syntax

MuseScore understands most of the abbreviations used in chord symbols:

• Major: M, Ma, Maj, ma, maj, Δ (type t or ˆ for the triangle)
• Minor: m, mi, min, -
• Diminished: dim, ° (entered with lowercase letter o, shows as ° if using the Jazz style, as o, the Greek omicron, otherwise)
• Half-diminished: ø (entered with 0, number zero, shows as ø if using the Jazz style, as 0 (zero) otherwise). Alternatively, you can, of course, choose abbreviations such as mi7b5 etc.
• Augmented: aug, +
• The following abbreviations are also valid: extensions and alterations like b9 or #5, sus, alt, and no3; inversions and slash chords, such as C7/E; commas; parentheses, which can enclose part, or even all, of a chord symbol.

Editing a chord symbol

An existing chord symbol can be edited in a similar way to ordinary text: See Text editing for details.

Entering Roman numeral analysis

Not to be confused with Figured bass.

The Roman Numeral Analysis (RNA) system is a type of musical analysis where chords are represented by upper- and lower-case Roman numerals (I, ii, III, iv etc.), superscripts, subscripts and other modifying symbols. It is used to notate and analyze the harmony of a composition independent of its key.

Note: MuseScore uses a specialist font, Campania, to provide the correct formatting for RNA. This is free and open source.

Enter RNA

1. Select a start note;
2. From the menu, select Add→Text→Roman Numeral Analysis. Alternatively, set up a keyboard shortcut to do the same thing in Preferences;
3. Input the RNA symbols for the chord just like normal text, as follows;
   • Major chord: Upper case roman numerals
   • Minor chord: Lower case roman numerals
   • Diminished chord: o (lower case)
   • Half-diminished chord: 0 (zero)
   • Augmented chord: +
   • Chord inversions: Enter up to 3 single-digit numbers, top note first
   • Accidentals: enter # for a sharp, b for a flat or h for natural. These turn into a proper (and superscripted) ♯ , ♭ or ♮ right away, see entering accidentals above (jump to).
   • To prevent any character from being interpreted or superscripted, prefix the character with a backslash, "\". This could be used, for example, to add a literal letter "b", "h", a hash symbol "#", or a non-superscripted number etc.
   • Inversion notation using alphabet a,b,c,d can be created with the method described above.
   • Inversion notation using vertically aligned arabic numerals without accidentals such as 64 can be created with the method described below.
   • [ TO DO: This is from MS3, pls check if this is correct for MS4] Inversion notation using vertically aligned arabic numerals with accidentals such as 6#3, ie altered chord, is unsupported, workaround : create Figured bass text instead; or create separate text objects and manually nudge them into place.
   • For other symbols, see the images below.
4. Move the cursor forward or backwards to continue entering or editing symbols for other chords;
5. When RNA is completed, exit by pressing Esc, or by clicking on a blank section of the score.

RNA input offers the same keyboard shortcuts for navigation as in chord symbols (see above ).

Examples of RNA

Type this:

To get:

Entering a Nashville number

The Nashville Number System (NNS), is a shorthand way of representing chords based on scale degrees rather than chord letters. This allows an accompaniment to be played in any key from the same chord chart.

To start entering Nashville notation:

1. Select a start note;
2. From the menu, select Add→Text→Nashville Number.

Just as with standard chord symbols, you can type Nashville notation normally and MuseScore will do its best to recognize and format the symbols appropriately. The same shortcuts used for navigation when entering standard chord symbols (e.g. Space, see above) are available for Nashville notation as well.

Aligning chord symbols

Using the Style menu

The default vertical alignment of all Chord Symbols can be set from the style menu, Format→ Style→Text styles→Chord Symbol.

Or you can do the same thing from the Appearance section of the Properties panel (refer to Saving and restoring default settings).

If this results in an irregular line of chord symbols, try varying Max shift above/below (Format→ Style→Chord symbols) to bring the symbols into line.

Using the Properties panel

You can align a selection of chord symbols by pressing Appearance, and changing the "Offset" values; and/or by changing the "Alignment" or "Position" properties in the Text section of the Properties panel.

Transposition of chord symbols

Transposing instruments

Chord symbols copied to a transposing instrument staff are automatically transposed in equal measure. For example, an A7 chord copied from a Flute part (non-transposing) to a B♭ Clarinet part (sounds a tone lower than written) will be transposed to a B7 chord.

Note that chords associated with guitar fretboard diagrams are not transposed automatically.

Transpose dialog

Chord symbols are automatically transposed by default when using the Transpose dialog. If this is not required, you can untick the "Transpose chord symbols" option in the same dialog.

Capo fret position

The Capo fret position property automatically transposes chord symbols in the score (without affecting playback) and puts them in brackets after the existing chord symbols. The aim is to provide an alternative accompaniment on a capoed instrument.

To apply, select Format→Style→Chord symbols, and enter a number in the Capo fret position spin box.

Changing Spelling of Chord Symbols

By default, MuseScore uses letter names for chord symbols. For users in regions where other note naming schemes are used, all chord symbols in the score can be changed.

Chord Spelling Systems

From the main menu, choose Format→ Style→Chord symbols. Then choose one of the following radio buttons in the spelling section:

• Standard: A, B♭, B, C, C♯,…
• German: A, B♭, H, C, C♯,…
• Full German: A, B, H, C, Cis,…
• Solfeggio: Do, Do♯, Re♭, Re,…
• French: Do, Do♯, Ré♭, Ré,...

Automatic Capitalization

By default, MuseScore automatically capitalizes all note names on exit, regardless of whether you entered them in upper or lower case. From the main menu, choose Format→ Style→Chord symbols. Then choose from of the following options:

• Lower case minor chords: c, cm, cm7,...
• Lower case bass notes: C/e,...
• All caps note names: DO, RE, MI,...

You can also turn off the automatic capitalization completely, in which case note names are simply rendered the way you type them.

Changing appearance of chord symbols

[To do]

• Font settings
• Style settings for appearance, scaling/offset

Changing Playback of Chord Symbols

Enabling and disabling playback

You can disable/enable playback of all chord symbols in the score by clicking on the cog icon to the right of the playback controls and deselecting/selecting Play chord symbols.

You can also disable/enable playback of a selection of chord symbols, by unchecking/checking Play in the General section of the Properties panel .

Customizing playback

Default playback settings for all chord symbols in a score are available in the Playback section of Format→ Style→Chord symbols.

You can also customize the playback of selected chord symbols in the Chord symbol section of the properties panel.

• Interpretation: Literal or Jazz.
• Voicing: Automatic, Root Only, Close, Drop two, Six note, Four note, three note
• Duration: Until next chord symbol, Until end of measure, Chord/rest duration

Generating chord voicings onto a staff

MuseScore allows you to generate chords on the staff from selected chord symbols. The voicing of these chords depends on the playback settings (above) for these chords.

To realize a selection of chord symbols:

1. Make a selection of chord symbols;
2. Right click on any chord in the selection;
3. Click Realize chord symbols;
4. Optional. Check "Override with custom options" and set the options as required;
5. Click OK.

Chord symbol properties

Properties specific to chord symbols (i.e. playback) are covered in Changing Playback of Chord Symbols (above)

Other non-specific properties are detailed in Properties.

Chord symbol style

Default properties for all chord symbols in a score can be edited from Format→Styl→Chord symbols.

The Chord symbols style menu contains the following headings:

Appearance

• Style: Three options are available— Standard, Jazz or Custom.

In the Standard style, chords are rendered simply, with the font determined by your chord symbol text style.

In the Jazz style, the MuseJazz font is used for a handwritten look, with distinctive superscript and other formatting characteristics. The Jazz style is selected by default if you use any of the Jazz templates.

The Custom style option allows you to use your own customized chord symbols style file (advanced users only).

• Extension/Modifier scaling: This affects the size of the chord extension or of the modifier.
• Extension/Modified vertical offset: This affects the vertical position of the chord symbol extension or of the modifier.

Spelling

See Changing Spelling of Chord Symbols (above).

Positioning

Distance to fretboard diagram: Affects the distance between fretboard diagrams and any chord symbols above.
Minimum chord spacing: The minimum distance allowed between chords.
Maximum barline distance:
Maximum shift above/below: This is used to line up chord symbols whose vertical alignment is irregular. Experiment until you get the apperance you want.

Playback

See Customizing playback (above).

Overview

Figured bass is a shorthand notation for representing chords on a continuo instrument (such as a keyboard), using a series of numbers and other symbols written underneath the notes of the bass line.

Adding figured bass to your score

Entering a figure

1. Select the note to which the figured bass applies;
2. Press the Figured Bass shortcut. The default is Ctrl+G (Mac: Cmd+G); this can be changed in Preferences: Shortcuts if desired;
3. Enter the text in the "edit box" which appears.

Text format

For the relevant substitutions and shape combinations to take effect and for proper alignment, the figured bass mechanism expects input texts to follow some rules (which are in any case, the rules for a syntactical figured bass indication):

• There can be only one accidental (before or after), or only one combining suffix per figure;
• There cannot be both an accidental and a combining suffix;
• There can be an accidental without a digit (altered third), but not a combining suffix without a digit.
• Any other character not listed above is not expected.

If a text entered does not follow these rules, it will not be processed: it will be stored and displayed as it is, without any layout.

Digits

Digits are entered directly. Groups of several digits stacked one above the other are also entered directly in a single text, stacking them with Enter:

Accidentals

Accidentals can be entered using regular keys:

To enter:	type:
double flat	bb
flat	b
natural	h
sharp	#
double sharp	##

These characters will automatically turn into the proper signs when you leave the editor. Accidentals can be entered before, or after a digit (and of course, in place of a digit, for altered thirds), according to the required style; both styles are properly aligned, with the accidental 'hanging' at the left, or the right.

Combined shapes

Slashed digits or digits with a cross can be entered by adding \, / or + after the digit (combining suffixes); the proper combined shape will be substituted when leaving the editor:

The built-in font can manage combination equivalence, favoring the more common substitution:

1+, 2+, 3+, 4+ result in (or )

and 5\, 6\, 7\, 8\, 9\ result in (or )

Please remember that / can only by combined with 5; any other 'slashed' figure is rendered with a question mark.

+ can also be used before a digit; in this case it is not combined, but it is properly aligned ('+' hanging at the left side).

Parentheses

Open and closed parentheses, both round: '(', ')' and square: '[', ']', can be inserted before and after accidentals, before and after a digit, before and after a continuation line; added parentheses will not disturb the proper alignment of the main character.

Notes: (1) The editor does not check that parentheses, open and closed, round or square, are properly balanced. (2) Several parentheses in a row are non-syntactical and prevent proper recognition of the entered text. (3) A parenthesis between a digit and a combining suffix ('+', '\', '/') is accepted, but prevents shape combination.

Editing existing figured basses

To edit a figured bass indication already entered use one of the following options:

• Select it, or the note it belongs to and press the same Figured Bass shortcut used to create a new one.
• Double-click it.

The usual text editor box will open with the text converted back to plain characters ('b', '#' and 'h' for accidentals, separate combining suffixes, underscores, etc.) for simpler editing.

Once done, press Space to move to a next note, or click outside the editor box to exit it, as for newly created figured basses.

Navigating by note, beat, or measure

The duration of a Figured Bass indication often lasts until the next bass note or the end of a bar. Such Figured Bass can be entered consecutively using the keyboard. (To move to a point in between, or to extend a figured bass group for a longer duration, see Duration).

• Press Space to move to the next note ready for another figured bass indication (or click outside the editor box to exit it). The editor advances to the next note, or to the rest of the staff to which figured bass is being added.
  
  • Shift+Space moves the editing box to the previous staff note or rest.
  • Tab advances the editing box to the beginning of the next measure.
  • Shift+Tab moves the editing box to the beginning of the previous measure.

Duration

Each figured bass group has a duration, which is indicated by a light gray line above it (of course, this line is for information only and it is not printed or exported to PDF).

Initially, a group has the same duration of the note to which it is attached. A different duration may be required to fit several groups under a single note or to extend a group to span several notes.

To achieve this, each key combination in the table below can be used to (1) advance the editing box by the indicated duration, and (2) set the duration of the previous group up to the new editing box position.

Pressing several of them in sequence without entering any figured bass text repeatedly extends the previous group.

Type:	to get:
Ctrl+1	1/64
Ctrl+2	1/32
Ctrl+3	1/16
Ctrl+4	1/8 (quaver)
Ctrl+5	1/4 (crochet)
Ctrl+6	half note (minim)
Ctrl+7	whole note (semibreve)
Ctrl+8	2 whole notes (breve)

(The digits are the same as are used to set the note durations)

Setting the exact figured bass group duration is only mandatory in two cases:

1. When several groups are fit under a single staff note (there is no other way).
2. When continuation lines are used, as line length depends on the group duration.

However, it is a good practice to always set the duration to the intended value for the purposes of plugins and MusicXML.

Entering continuation lines

Continuation lines are input by adding an '_' (underscore) at the end of the line. Each digit of a group can have its own continuation line:

Continuation lines are drawn for the whole duration of the figured bass group.

'Extended' continuation lines

Occasionally, a continuation line has to connect with the continuation line of a following group, when a chord degree has to be kept across two groups. Examples (both from J. Boismortier, Pièces de viole, op. 31, Paris 1730):

In the# first case, each group has its own continuation line; in the second, the continuation line of the first group is carried 'into' the second.

This can be obtained by entering several (two or more) underscores "__" at the end of the text line of the first group.

Figured bass properties

The text formatting of figured bass symbols is handled automatically by the program, based on style settings (see below). Only General and Appearance properties can be adjusted from the Properties panel..

Figured bass style

Properties of all figured bass symbols in the score can be set from Format→Style…→Figured Bass.

• Font: This is the preset "MuseScore Figured Bass," which is specially designed to realize figured bass notation.
• Size: Select a font-size in points.
• Vertical Position: The distance (in spaces) from the top of the staff to the top margin of the figured bass text. Negative values go up (figured bass above the staff) and positive values go down (figured bass below the staff: a value greater than 4 is needed to step over the staff itself).

• Line Height: The distance between the base line of each figured bass line, as a percentage of font size.

  The following picture visualizes each numeric parameter:

  

• Alignment: Select the vertical alignment: with Top, the top line of each group is aligned with the main vertical position and the group 'hangs' from it (this is normally used with figured bass notation and is the default); with Bottom, the bottom line is aligned with the main vertical position and the group 'sits' on it (this is sometimes used in some kinds of harmonic analysis notations):

  

• Style: Choose between "Modern" or "Historic." The difference between the two styles is shown below:

  

Figured bass keyboard shortcuts

Type:	to get:
Ctrl+G	Adds a new figured bass group to the selected note.
Space	Advances the editing box to the next note.
Shift+Space	Moves the editing box to the previous note.
Tab	Advances the editing box to the next measure.
Shift+Tab	Moves the editing box to the previous measure.
Ctrl+1	Advances the editing box by 1/64, setting the duration of the previous group.
Ctrl+2	Advances the editing box by 1/32, setting the duration of the previous group.
Ctrl+3	Advances the editing box by 1/16, setting the duration of the previous group.
Ctrl+4	Advances the editing box by 1/8 (quaver), setting the duration of the previous group.
Ctrl+5	Advances the editing box by 1/4 (crochet), setting the duration of the previous group.
Ctrl+6	Advances the editing box by a half note (minim), setting the duration of the previous group.
Ctrl+7	Advances the editing box by a whole note (semibreve), setting the duration of the previous group.
Ctrl+8	Advances the editing box by two whole notes (breve), setting the duration of the previous group.
Ctrl+Space	Enters an actual space; useful when figure appears "on the second line" (e.g., 5 4 -> 3).
BB	Enters a double flat.
B	Enters a flat.
H	Enters a natural.
#	Enters a sharp.
##	Enters a double sharp.
_	Enters a continuation line.
__	Enters an extended continuation line.

Note: For Mac commands, Ctrl is replaced with Cmd.

Overview

Rehearsal marks (sometimes called Rehearsal Letters) can be used in a number of ways. e.g.

• To identify specific points in a score to facilitate rehearsing.
• As bookmarks in the score to which you can instantly navigate—using the Find/Search command.
• To mark the various sections in the score.

Rehearsal marks are a type of system text. In a full score they show only above the top staff of a system, but appear in all instrument parts.

Rehearsal marks can be added to the score in two ways: (1) manually, allowing you to name them as you wish, or (2) automatically, which ensures that they are named in sequence

Adding a rehearsal mark to your score

Manual placement and naming

To create a rehearsal mark manually and give it a name of your own choosing:

1. Click on a note (or rest) at the desired location;
2. Select one of the following options:
   • Press Ctrl+M (Mac: Cmd+M);
   • From the menu, choose Add→Text →Rehearsal Mark;
3. Enter the desired text.

Automatic placement and naming

MuseScore can name the Rehearsal Marks automatically. Do either:

• Click on a note (or rest) at the desired location, then click the [B1] rehearsal mark icon in the "Text" palette
• Drag and drop the rehearsal mark from the "Text" palette onto the score.

Notes: (1) By default, marks are added in the sequence, A, B, C etc. (2) To change the format of subsequently-added marks (to lower case letters, or numbers), edit the previous rehearsal mark accordingly. (3) Marks added between existing rehearsal marks append a number or letter to the previous mark: it is a good idea to apply the Resequence command afterwards (see below).

Using measure numbers in rehearsal marks

If you want the rehearsal marks to be displayed as measure numbers:

1. Add the first rehearsal mark, then edit it to read the same as the number of the measure it is attached to;
2. Add subsequent marks as shown in Automatic placement and naming (above). They will automatically adopt the measure-number format.

Resequencing rehearsal marks

MuseScore allows the user to automatically re-order a series of rehearsal marks if they have got out of sequence for any reason. Use the following method:

1. Before making a selection, you can, if desired, establish a new format for the rehearsal marks (lower/upper case, number, or measure number) by manually altering the first mark in the range accordingly.
2. Select the range of measures you wish to apply the Resequence command to (if there is no selection then the program assumes you wish to resequence all measures).
3. From the menu, select Tools→Resequence Rehearsal Marks.

MuseScore automatically detects the sequence based on the first rehearsal mark in the selection—all rehearsal marks in the selection are then altered accordingly. The following sequences are possible:

• A, B, C etc.
• a, b, c etc.
• Numerical: 1, 2, 3 etc.
• Numerical: according to measure numbers.

Finding rehearsal marks

See Find / Go to (Navigating your score).

Repeating rehearsal marks on other staves

In most full scores any Rehearsal marks are shown only above the topmost staff of a system, but appear in all the generated instrument parts. If duplicate marks are required on lower staves they should be added as staff text.

However, some templates (e.g. Symphony Orchestra or Classical Orchestra), have an additional feature; when you create a rehearsal mark above the top staff, an identical one is automatically added just above the string section. If either instance of the mark is edited the content of both is updated.

Changing appearance of rehearsal marks

By default, rehearsal marks appear in a large bold font, enclosed in frames, and aligned to the center of the start barline of the measure. You can edit the default text properties from Format→Style→Text style.

Rehearsal mark properties

The properties of selected rehearsal marks can be changed in the Properties Panel.

Rehearsal mark style

Default positional properties for all rehearsal marks in the score can be edited from Format→Style… →Rehearsal Marks.

External links

• Rehearsal letter (Wikipedia article)

Overview

The header and footer areas are at the top and bottom of a page respectively. They often display useful information about the score such as the title, file name, page number, copyright details etc.

Adding a header or footer to your score

1. From the main menu, select Format→Style→Header, Footer

   :

   The top half of the Header, Footer dialog is where you define the Header text; the bottom half is for the Footer text. Both header and footer areas are further subdivided into Odd, and Even sections—for odd and even pages respectively. And finally, both header and footer areas are divided horizontally into three sections: Left, Center, and Right, representing the corresponding areas of the header or footer.

2. To turn off/on the display of headers/footers, uncheck/check the "Header text" and/or "Footer text" boxes as required.

3. Hover the cursor over the control area in which you wish to specify text. A popup box appears displaying a list of text options, and which codes to enter to realize them.

4. Enter the code for the desired text in the control area. A new line should be used for each code snippet.

To create a header or footer for an instrument part, that part should be the active tab.

Note: When you create a new score, any copyright details entered on the Additional score information page of the New score dialog will appear in the footer area of the the first page. Page numbers are also displayed on subsequent pages of newly-created scores. These are default settings only, and can be changed later from the Header, Footer style dialog (above).

Using metadata

Metadata is information about your score file—such as the title, copyright info, file name, number of pages and so on. Each of these snippets is called a metadata tag.

Headers and footers can display metadata tags such as page number, file name etc., as well as tags whose content is shown in Project properties.

If you hover the cursor over any control area in the Header, Footer dialog (see image above) you will see a list of the metadata tags available for entry, and the (two-letter) codes to enter them.

You will notice that code entry for tags is case-sensitive. For example,

• $p enters a page number, but skips page 1.
• $P enters a page number on all pages.
• $C enters the copyright info on the first page only.
• $c enters the copyright info on all pages.
• $i enters the Part name, except on first page.
• $I enters the Part name, on all pages.

If you want to display content from the Project properties window not covered by a two-letter code, you need to enter it in the relevant control area using the format:

Enter the tag name in lower-case letters, unless the name of the meta tag in Project properties consists of two words, in which case the second word should start with an upper-case letter, and there should be no spaces between words.

Changing how headers and footers are displayed

In the header, footer dialog there are two check boxes for both header and footer:

• Show on first page: When checked, header/footer text is enabled for page 1.
• Different odd/even pages: When checked, the header/footer text of odd pages may be different in content from that of even ones. If unchecked, the content of both is identical in form.

To fine tune the placement of all header and footer text:

1. Click on an instance of a header/footer in the score
2. Click on the Appearance button in the Properties panel
3. Edit the horizontal and vertical Offsets.
4. Click on the ellipsis symbol (three dots) for Offset and select “Save as default style for this score”.

In the same way you can adjust other text properties (font, font-size etc.) from the Text section of the Properties panel.

The same adjustment can be made directly in the "Header" and "Footer" entries at Format→Style→Text styles.

Header and footer properties

Unlike other types of text, you cannot change the text properties of a single header or footer element wthout affecting all the elements in the score of the same style. This makes sense as you usually want all footer/header elements to have the same text properties.

Header and footer style

Style properties of headers and footers are covered in Adding a header or footer to your score (above).

Text style properties are covered in Changing how headers and footers are displayed (above).

Overview

A text block is a text object entered within a frame.

Text blocks in frames have numerous uses:

• Display the title, subtitle composer, arranger, lyricist etc at the beginning of a score.
• Display details of individual pieces within a suite.
• Display lyrics at the end of a song/hymn.

and so on.

Adding text blocks to your score

To add a text block to a frame:

1. Add the appropriate frame to the desired location in the score if needed
2. Right-click on the frame and select Add; alternatively, from the menu bar select Add→Text
3. Choose from the text types offered: Text, Title, Subtitle, Composer, Lyricist, Part name
4. In the bounding box that appears, enter the desired text.

Note: When you enter details of a new score (such as Title, Composer etc) on the Additional score information page of the New score dialog, these appear automatically as text blocks in a frame at the top of the first page.

Changing the appearance of text blocks

The general and text properties of a selected text block can be changed in the Properties panel. In particular, you may want to

• change default horizontal/vertical alignment in the Text section.
• adjust position by dragging, using the keyboard arrows, or adjusting the horizontal/vertical offsets in the Appearance section.
• check “Match staff size” in the Text section, to ensure that the text block scales up and down with the Scaling set in Page Settings.

Remember to make the new setting the style default (where appropriate) by clicking on the relevant ellipsis (three dots) icon and selecting “”Save as default style for this score”.

Text block text properties

The text properties of a selected text block can be changed in the Text section of the Properties panel.

Alternatively you may wish to choose a different text style altogether from the dropdown list under “Text style” (in Properties: Text→More)

Text block text style

The default properties of any text block can be edited from Format→Styles→Text Styles. Alternatively you can make changes to individual style properties from the Properties panel; see Saving and restoring default settings.