> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://handbook.musescore.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/sound-and-playback/swing.md).
# Swing
MuseScore's **swing** feature allows you to change the playback of your score from a straight to a swing rhythm. Swing can be applied globally or only to a section of the score, and is fully variable.
## Apply swing to a score section
To apply swing to *all* staves in a system:
1. Click on the note where you want swing to start;
2. Click **Swing** in the Text palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4);\
This inserts a System Text object which affects all staves in the system with a default swing percentage of 60%.
3. [Edit](/3/text/text-editing.md) the Swing text as required;
4. If you need to vary swing from the default setting, right-click the Swing text and select **System text properties...** Click on the "Swing Settings" tab and adjust note duration and "Swing ratio" as required.
To apply swing only to *specific* staves in a system:
1. Click on the note where you want swing to start;
2. Add [Staff text](/3/text/staff-text-and-system-text.md);
3. [Edit](/3/text/text-editing.md) the appearance of the text as required;
4. Right-click on the text, select **Staff Text Properties...**, and click on the "Swing settings" tab. Modify as required;
5. Repeat steps 1–4 for other staves if needed.
Swing text can be [edited](/3/text/text-editing.md) and [formatted](/3/text/text-basics.md#basic-formatting) just like any other text object.
### Triplet in tempo marking
Often this notation is used to indicate swing:
MuseScore does not have a way to include a triplet in text as a tempo marking, but there is an easy workaround:
1. Add Swing text as described [above](#apply-swing-to-a-score-section) and make it invisible (shortcut V, or untick "Visible" in the [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md#element));
2. Add an appropriate [Image](/3/formatting/images.md) of the required tempo marking to the score. These can be downloaded from the bottom of the "How To" page: [How to create a visual swing marking](https://musescore.org/en/node/266325).
3. Resize and reposition the image as required.
## Return to straight rhythm
If you want playback to return to straight time after a swing section, use one of the following options:
**From version 3.4**:
* Add **Straight** text from the "More" field of the Workspace's text palette to the first note or rest of the "straight" section (see [above](#apply-swing-to-a-score-section)).
**Prior to version 3.4**:
1. Add **Swing** text to the first note or rest of the "straight" section (see [above](#apply-swing-to-a-score-section)).
2. [Edit](/3/text/text-editing.md) the text to indicate a return to straight time: e.g. "Straight."
3. Right-click on the text and select **System Text Properties…**. Click on the "Swing Settings" tab and set "Swing to "Off."
## Apply swing globally
If you wish to apply swing to the whole score, you can do so from the menu:
1. Select **Format -> Style... -> Score**.
2. In the "Swing Settings" section, set the desired note value and "swing ratio."
## External links
* [How to create a visual swing marking](https://musescore.org/en/node/266325) (MuseScore HowTo)
* [Swing (jazz performance style)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_\(jazz_performance_style\)) (Wikipedia)
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