Topic #34: Ancient and medieval notation in MuseScore

In this MuseTube lesson, we explore alternative notation in MuseScore — different ways of writing music beyond the standard modern system. These include early music notation (medieval, Renaissance), mensural notation, unmeasured music, “Mensurstrich” style, and modern chord slash notation for guitar. This is an essential guide for anyone working with historical transcriptions or non-traditional scores.

📜 Early music notation: Medieval and Renaissance

Early music scores often lack barlines and use distinctive noteheads. MuseScore allows you to create these styles by:

• Changing the time signature style to mensural symbols via “Time Signature Properties > Others”.
• Applying ancient diamond noteheads via the notehead property menu.
• Hiding barlines in “Staff/Part Properties”.
• Allowing notes to cross barlines in “Format > Style > Score”.

This setup lets you replicate authentic unmeasured music notation.

🧱 Infinite measure and insert mode

You can also simulate free-meter music by using the Insert mode (hold the pencil icon and select “Insert”). This lets you enter as many notes as needed in a single measure.

Key tips:

• The “+” sign marks the measure as irregular (longer than expected).
• You can hide the “+” via “Mark irregular measures”.

Perfect for improvisation, cadenzas, or early music styles.

🧭 Mensurstrich notation

“Mensurstrich” is a 20th-century notation style where barlines appear between staves, not through them. It’s used to help modern performers read early music while keeping the visual flow intact. To apply it:

• Hide barlines in the bottom staff via “Staff/Part Properties”.
• Select all barlines (except the first one).
• Uncheck “Span to next staff”.
• Set “Span from” to place the line between staves.
• Click “Set as staff default” to apply across all bars.

The result: barlines appear between the staves, but not within the notation — preserving both readability and authenticity.

🎸 Slash notation for guitar

Slash notation is a common way to indicate strumming patterns. To use it:

• Select measures and go to “Tools > Fill with slashes”.
• Add chord symbols above using Ctrl+K.

You can also assign specific rhythmic values:

• Change a slash to a half note, quarter note, eighth note, etc.
• Reveal stems by unchecking “Hide stem” in Properties.

🔊 Playback of slash notation

By default, MuseScore only plays the chord symbols, not the slashes. To enable slash rhythm playback:

• Write the chords with full notation (e.g., C–E–G).
• Select the measures and go to “Tools > Toggle rhythmic slash notation”.
• Enable “Play” in the Properties panel.

This way, MuseScore will play the actual rhythm pattern along with the correct harmonies.