# Mensural notation and Mensurstrich

## Adding a mensural time signature to your score

To apply mensural signs to a score you need to add a conventional [time signature](https://handbook.musescore.org/it/notation/rhythm-meter-and-measures/time-signatures) first, then modify its display by substituting with the appropriate mensural symbol in the [Time signature properties](https://handbook.musescore.org/it/notation/rhythm-meter-and-measures/time-signatures#time-signature-properties) dialog. Note that these signs are for show only; it is not possible to modify the duration ratio between different note values, and the actual underlying time signature remains unchanged.

## Using mensural note symbols

\[To be added]

* add from symbols palette, hide

## Working with non-metered music

Early music, such as renaissance choral music, may be written without barlines or a time signature. This can be achieved in MuseScore as follows:

1. Set up the instruments or voices of the score in the usual way (See [Setting up your score](https://handbook.musescore.org/it/basics/setting-up-your-score));
2. Hide the time signature;
3. in `Format`→`Style`→`Score`, check the box titled "Display note values across measure boundaries";
4. Right-click on a measure in the top staff and select [Staff/Part properties](https://handbook.musescore.org/it/notation/instruments-staves-and-systems/staff-part-properties);
5. Uncheck "Show barlines"; repeat this for each applicable staff (see note);
6. Click `OK`.

**Note**: In step 4 you can make the barlines invisible instead by selecting all and pressing `V`.

Note that the score still behaves as if measures are present. [Measure properties](https://handbook.musescore.org/it/notation/rhythm-meter-and-measures/measure-properties) can be applied if required.

## Working with Mensurstrich

*Mensurstrich* is a form of modern notation of early music in which barlines are drawn *between* staves rather than across them:

<figure><img src="https://1176537835-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FH3sZJsSgqO4TZXASAHlY%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b52147055928bfb8cb39c1a7066de161964c95ab%2Fmensurstrich_example_1.png?alt=media" alt="Mensurstrich"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Adding barlines between staves

1. Right click on the bottom staff of the intended *mensurstrich* system, and select [Staff/Part properties](https://handbook.musescore.org/it/notation/instruments-staves-and-systems/staff-part-properties#staff-properties). Uncheck "Show barlines".
2. Select the first (not the start!) barline for *each* of the remaining staves;
3. Check the "Span to next staff" box in the **Barline** section of the **Properties** panel;
4. Adjust "Span from" to set the position of the top of each barline;
5. Press `Set as staff default`;

## Displaying note values across measure boundaries

1. From the menu bar, select `Format`→`Style`→`Score`;
2. Check "Display note values across measure boundaries".

## See also