I was looking at some sheet music when I came across something I am seeing for the first time. It looked like a horizontal bar on the first measure. Here is an image:
What does this bar tell you? What is it for?
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1Duplicate: Thick line with a number on top– Elements in SpaceSep 21 at 3:11
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1 Answer
That is a multi-measure rest. The numeral 15 above it indicates that it is equivalent to writing out fifteen bars of full-measure rests. This is done to save space, for example in orchestral parts.
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7It also saves you from having to count all 15 measures and praying you didn't miscount. Mar 25, 2019 at 5:22
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8You still have to count to 15, but at least you know it's 15 that you have to count to... Mar 25, 2019 at 10:15
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2Note, that for less than 15 full measuress a different notation exists using whole rest and vertical lines representing 2 or 4 measures of rest, see lilypond documentation.– guidotMar 25, 2019 at 10:44
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1@guidot that is true, and it's well worth knowing both kinds of notation. As a personal preference, I'd rather see this symbol for 4 measures or more. Mar 25, 2019 at 12:47
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1@CarlWitthoft ...provided the numerals are clearly written. I've had to distinguish between 1 and 7, 5 and 3 (!) based on the longa/breve notation before!– GeoffMar 25, 2019 at 16:24