Multi measure rests - GNU LilyPond
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#### 8.2.1 Multi measure rests

Rests for one full measure (or many bars) 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 multi-measure 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 \time 3/4 R2. \time 2/4 R2 \time 4/4
>          \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 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

Warning! This text is created by `MultiMeasureRestText`, not `TextScript`.

>          \override TextScript #'padding = #5
>          R1^"low"
>          \override MultiMeasureRestText #'padding = #5
>          R1^"high"

If you want to have 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: MultiMeasureRestMusicGroup, 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. And the pitch of multi-measure rests (or staff-centered rests) can not be influenced.

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

Be careful when entering multi-measure 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.

This page is for LilyPond-2.8.8 (stable-branch).

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