Common time

Common time, also known as time, is a meter with four quarter-note beats per measure. It’s often symbolized by the common-time symbol: . For general information on time signatures, see Time signatures. For details on Finale’s automatic beaming patterns, see Beaming.

Tip. For large Time Signatures used for some scores, use the Engraver Time font.

To change the common-time display (, , or another symbol)

1. Choose Document > Document Options > Time Signatures.
2. Click Abbreviate Common Time to. If there’s a check in the checkbox, Finale will display the common-time symbol any time the meter is . If not, Finale will display . (You can also specify any other symbol you want Finale to use instead of the standard common-time symbol by clicking the Select button. You select a font for time signatures by choosing Fonts in the Document Options dialog box (under the Document menu) and changing Time from the Notation pop-up menu. See Document Options-Fonts).
3. Click OK (or press RETURN).

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