# Bar Notation

> Reference sheet for the notation format used by musescore-mcp tools, and for reading get_overview output. Use when calling musescore-mcp tools.

- Skill: `nukeop/bar-notation` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add nukeop/bar-notation`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/nukeop/bar-notation/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: nukeop (https://skillmd.com/u/nukeop)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/nukeop/bar-notation

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# Bar notation reference

Bars are separated by `|`. Just like in regular sheet music, all bars must have the correct number of beats in them. All pitches are written pitch.

| Syntax                   | Meaning                                              |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `C5:4`                   | Note: letter A-G, optional `♭`/`♯`, octave, duration |
| `r:8`                    | Rest                                                 |
| `R`                      | Full-measure rest, alone in the bar                  |
| `chord(C4 E4 G4):4`      | Chord, one duration for the entire chord             |
| `tuplet(3:2 C5:8 D5 E5)` | Tuplet, ratio is actual:normal                       |
| `grace(D4:8) C4:4`       | Grace note (acciaccatura) before the main note       |
| `slur(C4:8 D4 E4)`       | Slur, may cross barlines: `slur(G4:8 A4 \| B4 C5)`   |
| `C5:4~ C5`               | Tie                                                  |
| `C5:4'`                  | Staccato                                             |
| `C5:4>`                  | Accent                                               |
| `C5:4(tr)`               | Short trill                                          |
| `C5:4(mord)`             | Mordent                                              |
| `C5:4(scoop)`            | Scoop                                                |
| `C5:4(gliss)`            | Glissando to the next note                           |
| `[C-7] C4:4`             | Chord symbol, attached to the following event        |

Durations: `:1` `:2` `:4` `:8` `:16` `:32` `:64` `:128`, dotted `:4.`, double-dotted `:4..`. A duration carries over to following events until changed. It's mandatory on the first note/rest.

Each note or chord gets at most one suffix: a tie, an annotation, or a glissando. No stacking.

Chord symbols are written in square brackets before the event they attach to. The root is a note name (A-G with optional ♭/♯). Everything after the root is the suffix, passed through unchanged. Common suffixes: `-7` (minor 7th), `7` (dominant), `^7` (major 7th), `o7` (diminished), `ø7` (half-diminished), `-` (minor), `6`, `-6`. A chord symbol can attach to any event, including rests. A chord symbol before `slur(` or `tuplet(` attaches to the first note or rest inside the group; read_measures prints it in that inside position. A chord symbol should be either outside or inside a group.

Example:

```
[C-7] grace(B4:8) C5:4.' B4:8> [F7] slur(A4(tr) G4 r F4~) | [B♭^7] F4:2.(gliss) E4:4 | tuplet(3:2 C5:8 D5 E5) [E♭7] r:4 r:2 | R
```

# Reading the overview

get_overview prints a summary line, a Form section, and a Chords section. Form and Chords are omitted when empty.

- Key signature shows the major and equivalent minor key in written pitch. A transposing instrument's concert key appears in parentheses next to its name on the Instruments line.
- Bar 1's key, time, and tempo are printed in the summary Subsequent `key:`, `time:`, or `tempo:` entries always means a mid-score change.
- The Chords grid prints 4 bars per line, each line prefixed with its first bar number. Lines without chord symbols are omitted. Example: a jump from `1:` to `9:` means bars 5-8 don't have chords.
- Chord roots are written pitch, spelled the same as read_measures output.