Table of Contents
Notation reference
Time signatures
Time signatures indicate the meter of music, and apply to all bars from where they first appear until a subsequent change of time signature. Meter describes the rhythmic pulse of music, and its division into beats and bars.
Cautionary time signatures
When a time signature change occurs at a system break, either in the score or in a part, the new time signature is shown at the end of the first system as well as at the start of the new system.

Cautionary time signatures

When a time signature change occurs at a system break, either in the score or in a part, the new time signature is shown at the end of the first system as well as at the start of the new system.

This is sometimes considered a “cautionary time signature”, because it warns performers of an upcoming change of time signature before it takes effect. It is also known as a “courtesy time signature”.

In Dorico SE, the time signatures shown at the end of one system and at the start of the next system are the same item, not separate items. You can hide cautionary time signatures individually.

Tip

We recommend using flows for separate spans of music. Dorico SE does not show cautionary key signatures or time signatures between flows.