5.15.8 Multi measure rests

Multi measure rests are entered using `R'. It is specifically meant for full bar rests and for entering parts: the rest can expand to fill a score with rests, or it can be printed as a single multimeasure rest. This expansion is controlled by the property Score.skipBars. If this is set to true, empty measures will not be expanded, and the appropriate number is added automatically

     \time 4/4 r1 | R1 | R1*2
     \set Score.skipBars = ##t R1*17 R1*4

The 1 in R1 is similar to the duration notation used for notes. Hence, for time signatures other than 4/4, you must enter other durations. This can be done with augmentation dots or fractions

     \set Score.skipBars = ##t
     \time 3/4
     R2. | R2.*2
     \time 13/8
     R1*13/8
     R1*13/8*12 |
     \time 10/8 R4*5*4 |

An R spanning a single measure is printed as either a whole rest or a breve, centered in the measure regardless of the time signature.

If there are only a few measures of rest, LilyPond prints “church rests” (a series of rectangles) in the staff. To replace that with a simple rest, use MultiMeasureRest.expand-limit.

     \set Score.skipBars = ##t
     R1*2 | R1*5 | R1*9
     \override MultiMeasureRest #'expand-limit = 1
     R1*2 | R1*5 | R1*9

Texts can be added to multi-measure rests by using the note-markup syntax (see Text markup). A variable (\fermataMarkup) is provided for adding fermatas

     \set Score.skipBars = ##t
     \time 3/4
     R2.*10^\markup { \italic "ad lib." }
     R2.^\fermataMarkup

If you want to have a text on the left end of a multi-measure rest, attach the text to a zero-length skip note, i.e.

s1*0^"Allegro"
R1*4

See also

Program reference: MultiMeasureRestEvent, MultiMeasureTextEvent, MultiMeasureRestMusicGroup, and MultiMeasureRest.

The layout object MultiMeasureRestNumber is for the default number, and MultiMeasureRestText for user specified texts.

Bugs

It is not possible to use fingerings (e.g., R1-4) to put numbers over multi-measure rests.

There is no way to automatically condense multiple rests into a single multimeasure rest. Multi measure rests do not take part in rest collisions.

Be careful when entering multimeasure rests followed by whole notes. The following will enter two notes lasting four measures each

R1*4 cis cis

When skipBars is set, the result will look OK, but the bar numbering will be off.

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