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Ossia tool

Use this tool to create floating measures — one-bar alternative passages that you can place anywhere in the score. Such a measure might provide an explanation of a trill, propose a cadenza, or suggest an easier alternative to the real measure.

Note: Positioning values are always in the unit of measurement chosen under the Edit menu. To set a measurement unit, choose Edit > Measurement Units.

Floating measures can be dragged freely around the page. These “ossia” measures don’t play back; they’re purely graphic. A measure-assigned ossia measure remains attached to its measure in the score, even if that measure’s position in the score changes. A page-assigned ossia measure, which you create in Page View, remains fixed to a given spot on the page, regardless of any repositioning of the music around it. See Ossia for full instructions.

For information regarding page-attached ossia measures in linked parts, see Page-attached ossia measures in linked parts.

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For further information, see the Ossia Measure Designer dialog box.