You can use the word tacet if a conductor will cue the performer to resume. This would be used when another soloist is improvising and there is not a precise number of measures. You can write out each measure of rest with a whole measure (whole note rest), or if you have more than a few measures, place two slashes (vertical lines or bars with the tops leaning to the right) in a measure and write the number of measures of rest above the slashes. For example, | // | with the number of measures to rest written above. Sometimes you will see something like this: |--- 8 ---| above the measure as well. Watch out because a measure of music followed by | // | // | without a number above the slashes can also mean repeat the previous measure. This is a kind of shorthand used with hand written parts. It is best to write out the rests if there are only a few measures and write out the repeats if that is what you want. So to avoid all confusion write out a whole measure rest before using the slashes.

There are many ways to do the same thing. It is best to write things as clearly as possible to save rehearsal time.

The MusicGoals programs run on Windows 7, Vista, and XP. If you have a Mac that is running one of these versions of Windows, the MusicGoals programs will run. Keep in mind that they run best when Windows is the only operating system. When running Windows within a Window on top of a Mac operating system, there can be some delay and they can seem to be sluggish. So it is best to boot up in Windows (run Windows natively). If you have Windows running on your Mac, give it a try before you buy. Download the free trials and see how they work on your computer. 

http://www.musicgoals.com/download_demo.htm

Question:[I have lost my piano in a fire but would hope to replace soon in the mean time could you tell me if your program gives me and actuall keyboard to practice the lessions very interested in purchasing the program for piano]

MusicGoals Eye and Ear uses a keyboard on the computer screen that you can play by clicking on the keys. It also allows you to use a MIDI keyboard connected to your computer. An electronic keyboard with USB or MIDI cable lets you play many of the answers to the drills right on the keyboard. Otherwise, you give answers by clicking the screen keyboard with your mouse. Other drills have buttons that you select to give the answers.

MusicGoals Eye and Ear is for ear training, reading music, learning your instrument, and learning music theory. It takes rhythm out of it so you focus on connecting pitch and ear with instrument and music notation. MusicGoals Rhythm takes pitch out so you can focus on just rhythm. Working the two programs together ensures that you develop areas of weakness and leads to very rapid progress.

I am sure MusicGoals will help you now and even after you get another piano. MusicGoals offers practice tools that take you beyond what you get when you just play.