[ << Specialist notation ]	[Top][Contents][Index]	[ General input and output >> ]
[ < Incipits ]	[ Up : Working with ancient music – scenarios and solutions ]	[ Transcribing Gregorian chant > ]

---

Mensurstriche layout

Mensurstriche (‘mensuration lines’) is the accepted term for bar lines that are drawn between the staves of a system but not through the staves themselves. It is a common way to preserve the rhythmic appearance of the original, i.e., not having to break syncopated notes at bar lines, while still providing the orientation aids that bar lines give.

Mensurstriche, bar lines between but not through staves, can be printed by setting measureBarType to "-span|" and using a grouping context that allows span bars, such as StaffGroup.

\layout {
  \context {
    \Staff
    measureBarType = "-span|"
  }
}

music = \fixed c'' {
  c1
  d2 \section e2
  f1 \fine
}

\new StaffGroup <<
  \new Staff \music
  \new Staff \music
>>