Barlinien

Barlinien, or bar lines, are vertical strokes placed on a musical staff to separate measures (Takte) and to reflect the metrical structure defined by the time signature. They provide a clear framework for rhythm, phrasing, and the alignment of notes across different voices or instruments.

A barline that appears as a single vertical line marks the end of one measure and the beginning of the next. A double barline, consisting of two adjacent vertical lines, often signals a sectional division within the music, such as a change of part, a new section, or the end of a movement. The final barline is typically drawn as a thick line with a thinner line to its right and indicates the absolute end of the work. Some editions use a final double barline (thick line followed by a thinner line) to mark the ending.

Wiederholungssignale (repeat signs) use barlines with dots. A pair of dots on the right side of a barline marks the start of a repeated section, while a pair of dots on the left side marks the end of the repeated section.

In practice, barlinien extend across all staves of a system to maintain consistent alignment of parts; in some historical notations, their use varied. Barlinien thus serve both rhythmic organization and navigational cues within musical scores.