IWBNI there were a button added to the Time Signature dialog box that could be used to quickly switch from the simple form of a given time signature to the compound form of the same time signature, and vice versa. As it is now, such changes may be may by using the Number of Beats and Beat Duration slider controls on the Time Signature dialog box. For example, if the time signature that is currently selected is 6/8 simple time, to select 6/8 compound time, one could press the right button on the Beat Duration slider three times to change the beat duration from an eighth note to a dotted quarter note. Then, one could press the left button on the Number of Beats slider four times to change the number of beats from six to two.

This could be implemented by adding a button below each of the two Beat Duration sliders on the Time Signature dialog box. If a dotted Beat Duration is currently selected, the name of the button would be Simple and this button could be used to automatically move the Number of Beats and Beat Duration sliders to switch to the simple form of the selected time signature. If a non-dotted Beat Duration is currently selected, the name of the button would be Compound and this button could be used to switch to the compound form of the selected time signature.

Note: The Simple/Compound button would also serve as documentation of the fact that two different forms of time signatures such as 6/8 are available and this might help new users determine how to beam eighth notes in two groups of three in 6/8 time.

Created: June 16, 2000 (based on comments by David Morehead and Zach Westfall)
Last Updated: June 16, 2000
Version: Finale 2000b