1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
4 Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
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14 Tutorial guidelines: (different from policy.txt!)
15 - unless you have a really good reason, use either
16 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
18 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
20 Don't use any other relative=X commands.
22 - use "aes" and "ees" instead of "as" and "es". I know it's not
23 correct Dutch naming, but let's not confuse people with this
24 until we get to the Basic notation chapter.
26 - Add "Music Glossary: @rglos{foo}" to the *top* of the relevant
27 portions of the tutorial.
33 @chapter Common notation
35 This chapter explains how to create beautiful printed music
36 containing common musical notation, following the material in
40 * Single staff notation::
41 * Multiple notes at once::
47 @node Single staff notation
48 @section Single staff notation
50 This section introduces common notation that is used for one voice
54 * Bar lines and bar checks::
55 * Pitches and key signatures::
57 * Articulation and dynamics::
59 * Automatic and manual beams::
60 * Advanced rhythmic commands::
63 @node Bar lines and bar checks
64 @subsection Bar lines and bar checks
72 @unnumberedsubsubsec Bar lines
75 Single bar lines are automatically placed in the music so
76 there is no need to add them manually. Other types of bar
77 lines are added using @code{\bar}, for example
78 @code{\bar "||"} for a double bar line, or @code{\bar "|."}
79 for an ending bar line. For a full list of bar lines see
80 the @ruser{Bar lines}.
82 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
83 g1 e1 \bar "||" c2. c'4 \bar "|."
87 @unnumberedsubsubsec Bar checks
90 Though not strictly necessary, @emph{bar checks} should be
91 used in the input code to show where bar lines are expected
92 to fall. They are entered using the bar symbol, @code{|}.
93 With bar checks, the program can verify that you've entered
94 durations that make each measure add up to the correct
95 length. Bar checks also make your input code easier to
96 read, since they help to keep things organized.
98 @c This example deliberately produces a warning
99 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
101 g'1 | e1 | c2. c' | g4 c g e | c4 r r2 |
105 If you compile the code in the example above, you should see a
106 warning in the console output:
109 warning: barcheck failed at: 1/2
111 | g4 c g e | c4 r r2 |
114 Although the missing duration is clear in the musical output in this
115 simple example, the warning in the console output is far more
116 effective in drawing attention to the missing @code{4} in bar 3.
120 @ruser{Bar and bar number checks}.
123 @node Pitches and key signatures
124 @subsection Pitches and key signatures
127 * Pitch alterations::
129 * Warning key signatures and pitches::
132 @warning{New users often misunderstand how LilyPond uses the key
133 signature -- please read the warning at the bottom of this page.}
135 @node Pitch alterations
136 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pitch alterations
143 @cindex sharp, double
153 Music Glossary: @rglos{sharp}, @rglos{flat}, @rglos{double sharp},
154 @rglos{double flat}, @rglos{accidental}.
156 Note-names in LilyPond identify pitches. For example, @code{c}
157 always means C-natural, regardless of the key signature.
159 A @notation{sharp} pitch is made by adding @code{is} to the name,
160 and a @notation{flat} pitch by adding @code{es}. As you might
161 expect, a @notation{double sharp} or @notation{double flat} is
162 made by adding @code{isis} or @code{eses}. This syntax is derived
163 from note naming conventions in Nordic and Germanic languages,
164 like German and Dutch. To use other names for
165 @notation{alterations}, see @ruser{Note names in other languages}.
167 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
168 cis4 ees fisis, aeses
171 @cindex key signature, setting
174 @unnumberedsubsubsec Key signatures
177 @cindex key signature
180 @cindex accidentals and key signature
181 @cindex content vs. layout
182 @cindex layout vs. content
191 Music Glossary: @rglos{key signature}, @rglos{major},
194 The @notation{key signature} is set with the command @code{\key}
195 followed by a pitch and @code{\major} or @code{\minor}.
197 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1]
200 \bar "||" \key c \minor
206 @node Warning key signatures and pitches
207 @unnumberedsubsubsec Warning: key signatures and pitches
210 Music Glossary: @rglos{accidental}, @rglos{key signature},
211 @rglos{pitch}, @rglos{flat}, @rglos{natural}, @rglos{sharp},
212 @rglos{transposition}, @rglos{Pitch names}.
214 LilyPond makes a distinction between musical content and
215 its printed representation. Input such as @code{d4 e fis2}
216 defines the pitches and durations of notes, which is musical
217 content. The @notation{key signature} is part of the printed
218 representation. The key signature also sets rules for the
219 printed representations of notes. LilyPond compares each input
220 pitch to the key signature to determine whether to print an
221 @notation{accidental}.
223 The command @code{\key} sets the @notation{key signature}, which
224 affects the printed representation, but does @emph{not} change
225 the pitch assigned to a note such as @code{c} in the input.
229 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
235 No note has a printed accidental, but you must still add
236 @code{is} and type @code{cis} and @code{fis} in the input file.
238 The code @code{b} does not mean @qq{print a black dot just on
239 the middle line of the staff.} Rather, it means @qq{there is a
240 note with pitch B-natural.} In the key of A-flat major, it
241 @emph{does} get an accidental:
243 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
248 Whenever you enter a pitch that is a black key on the piano, you
249 @emph{must} add @w{@code{-is}} or @w{@code{-es}} to the note name.
251 Adding all alterations explicitly might require a little more
252 effort when typing, but the advantage is that
253 @notation{transposing} is easier, and accidentals can be printed
254 according to different conventions. For some examples of how
255 accidentals can be printed according to different rules, see
256 @ruser{Automatic accidentals}.
261 @ruser{Note names in other languages},
263 @ruser{Automatic accidentals},
264 @ruser{Key signature}.
268 @subsection Ties and slurs
272 @cindex slur, phrasing
273 @cindex phrasing slur
283 * Warnings slurs vs. ties::
287 @unnumberedsubsubsec Ties
289 Music Glossary: @rglos{tie}.
291 A @notation{tie} is created by appending a tilde @code{~} to the
292 first of the two notes being tied.
294 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
295 g4~ g c2~ | c4~ c8 a~ a2 |
298 @cindex bare duration
299 @cindex duration, bare
301 When the pitch does not change, as is always the case with tied notes,
302 subsequent pitches may be omitted, specifying just the bare duration:
304 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
305 g4~ 4 c2~ | 4~ 8 a~ 2 |
308 This shorthand may be useful in other places where the rhythm changes
309 with an unchanging pitch, but remember that a bare pitch followed by a
310 space and a bare duration will be interpreted as a single note. In
311 other words, @code{c4 a 8 8} would be interpreted as @code{c4 a8 a8},
312 not as @code{c4 a4 a8 a8}. Write instead @code{c4 a4 8 8 }.
315 @unnumberedsubsubsec Slurs
318 Music Glossary: @rglos{slur}.
320 A @notation{slur} is a curve drawn across many notes. The
321 starting note and ending note are marked with @code{(} and
322 @code{)} respectively.
324 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
325 d4( c16) cis( d e c cis d) e( d4)
329 @unnumberedsubsubsec Phrasing slurs
332 Music Glossary: @rglos{slur}, @rglos{phrasing}.
334 Slurs to indicate longer @notation{phrasing} can be entered with
335 @code{\(} and @code{\)}. You can have both @notation{slurs}
336 and phrasing slurs at the same time, but you cannot have
337 simultaneous slurs or simultaneous phrasing slurs.
339 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
340 g4\( g8( a) b( c) b4\)
345 @cindex slurs versus ties
347 @node Warnings slurs vs. ties
348 @unnumberedsubsubsec Warnings: slurs vs. ties
351 Music Glossary: @rglos{articulation}, @rglos{slur}, @rglos{tie}.
353 A @notation{slur} looks like a @notation{tie}, but it has a
354 different meaning. A tie simply makes the first note longer, and
355 can only be used on pairs of notes with the same pitch. Slurs
356 indicate the @notation{articulation} of notes, and can be used on
357 larger groups of notes. Slurs and ties can be nested.
359 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
368 @ruser{Phrasing slurs}.
371 @node Articulation and dynamics
372 @subsection Articulation and dynamics
381 @unnumberedsubsubsec Articulations
388 Music Glossary: @rglos{articulation}.
390 Common @notation{articulations} can be added to a note using a
391 dash @code{-} and a single character:
393 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
399 @unnumberedsubsubsec Fingerings
407 Music Glossary: @rglos{fingering}.
409 Similarly, @notation{fingering} indications can be added to a note
410 using a dash (@code{-}) and the digit to be printed:
412 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
416 Articulations and fingerings are usually placed automatically, but
417 you can specify a direction by replacing the dash (@code{-}) with
418 @code{^} (up) or @code{_} (down). You can also use multiple
419 articulations on the same note. However, in most cases it is best
420 to let LilyPond determine the articulation directions.
422 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
423 c4_-^1 d^. f^4_2-> e^-_+
427 @unnumberedsubsubsec Dynamics
447 Music Glossary: @rglos{dynamics}, @rglos{crescendo},
450 @notation{Dynamic} signs are made by adding the markings (with a
451 backslash) to the note:
453 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
458 @notation{Crescendi} and @notation{decrescendi} are started with
459 the commands @code{\<} and @code{\>}. The next dynamics sign, for
460 example @code{\f}, will end the (de)crescendo, or the command
461 @code{\!} can be used:
463 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
470 @ruser{Articulations and ornamentations},
471 @ruser{Fingering instructions},
476 @subsection Adding text
485 Text may be added to your scores:
487 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
491 Extra formatting may be added with the @code{\markup} command:
493 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
494 c2^\markup { \bold espr }
496 \dynamic f \italic \small { 2nd } \hspace #0.1 \dynamic p
503 @ruser{Writing text}.
506 @node Automatic and manual beams
507 @subsection Automatic and manual beams
510 @cindex automatic beams
512 @cindex beams, automatic
513 @cindex beams, manual
514 @cindex beams, by hand
519 @funindex \autoBeamOff
520 @funindex autoBeamOff
521 @funindex \autoBeamOn
524 Music Glossary: @rglos{beam}.
526 All @notation{beams} are drawn automatically:
528 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
529 a8 ais d ees r d c16 b a8
532 If you do not like the automatic beams, they may be overridden
533 manually. To correct just an occasional beam mark the first note
534 to be beamed with @code{[} and the last one with @code{]}.
536 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
537 a8[ ais] d[ ees r d] c16 b a8
540 If you want to turn off automatic beaming entirely or for an
541 extended section of music, use the command @code{\autoBeamOff}
542 to turn off automatic beaming and @code{\autoBeamOn} to turn it
545 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
555 @ruser{Automatic beams},
556 @ruser{Manual beams}.
559 @node Advanced rhythmic commands
560 @subsection Advanced rhythmic commands
568 @node Partial measure
569 @unnumberedsubsubsec Partial measure
574 @cindex partial measure
579 Music Glossary: @rglos{anacrusis}.
581 A pickup (or @notation{anacrusis}) is entered with the keyword
582 @code{\partial}. It is followed by a duration: @code{\partial 4}
583 is a quarter note pickup and @code{\partial 8} an eighth note.
585 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
591 @unnumberedsubsubsec Tuplets
600 Music Glossary: @rglos{note value}, @rglos{triplet}.
602 @notation{Tuplets} are made with the @code{\tuplet} keyword. It
603 takes two arguments: a fraction and a piece of music. The
604 fraction is the number of tuplet notes over the number
605 of notes normally filling the same duration.
606 For triplets, there are three notes instead of two, so
607 @notation{triplets} have 3/2 as their fraction.
609 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
610 \tuplet 3/2 { f8 g a }
611 \tuplet 3/2 { c8 r c }
612 \tuplet 3/2 { f,8 g16[ a g a] }
613 \tuplet 3/2 { d4 a8 }
617 @unnumberedsubsubsec Grace notes
626 @funindex \acciaccatura
627 @funindex acciaccatura
628 @funindex \appoggiatura
629 @funindex acciaccatura
631 Music Glossary: @rglos{grace notes}, @rglos{acciaccatura},
632 @rglos{appoggiatura}.
634 @notation{Grace notes} are created with the @code{\grace} command,
635 although they can also be created by prefixing a music expression
636 with the keyword @code{\appoggiatura} or @code{\acciaccatura}:
638 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
639 c2 \grace { a32 b } c2 |
640 c2 \appoggiatura b16 c2 |
641 c2 \acciaccatura b16 c2 |
652 @node Multiple notes at once
653 @section Multiple notes at once
655 This section introduces having more than one note at the same
656 time: multiple instruments, multiple staves for a single
657 instrument (i.e. piano), and chords.
659 Polyphony in music refers to having more than one voice occurring
660 in a piece of music. Polyphony in LilyPond refers to having more
661 than one voice on the same staff.
664 * Music expressions explained::
667 * Combining notes into chords::
668 * Single staff polyphony::
672 @node Music expressions explained
673 @subsection Music expressions explained
675 @cindex music expression
676 @cindex expression, music
677 @cindex compound music expression
678 @cindex music expression, compound
681 * Analogy mathematical expressions::
682 * Simultaneous music expressions multiple staves::
683 * Simultaneous music expressions single staff::
686 In LilyPond input files, music is represented by @emph{music
687 expressions}. A single note is a music expression:
689 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
693 Enclosing a note in braces creates a @emph{compound music
694 expression}. Here we have created a compound music expression
697 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
701 Putting a group of music expressions (e.g. notes) in braces means
702 that they are in sequence (i.e. each one follows the previous
703 one). The result is another music expression:
705 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
709 @node Analogy mathematical expressions
710 @unnumberedsubsubsec Analogy: mathematical expressions
713 This mechanism is similar to mathematical formulas: a big formula
714 is created by composing small formulas. Such formulas are called
715 expressions, and they can contain other expressions, so you can
716 make arbitrarily complex and large expressions. For example,
725 ((1 + 2) * 3) / (4 * 5)
728 This is a sequence of expressions, where each expression is
729 contained in the next (larger) one. The simplest expressions are
730 numbers, and larger ones are made by combining expressions with
731 operators (like @code{+}, @code{*} and @code{/}) and parentheses.
732 Like mathematical expressions, music expressions can be nested
733 arbitrarily deep, which is necessary for complex music like
737 @node Simultaneous music expressions multiple staves
738 @unnumberedsubsubsec Simultaneous music expressions: multiple staves
741 @cindex multiple staves
742 @cindex staves, multiple
744 @cindex combining expressions in parallel
745 @cindex parallel expressions
746 @cindex expressions, parallel
747 @cindex relative notes and simultaneous music
748 @cindex relative notes and parallel expressions
749 @cindex simultaneous music and relative notes
750 @cindex parallel expressions and relative notes
756 Music Glossary: @rglos{polyphony}.
758 This technique is useful for @notation{polyphonic} music. To
759 enter music with more voices or more staves, we combine
760 expressions in parallel. To indicate that two voices should play
761 at the same time, simply enter a simultaneous combination of music
762 expressions. A @q{simultaneous} music expression is formed by
763 enclosing expressions inside @code{<<} and @code{>>}. In the
764 following example, three sequences (all containing two separate
765 notes) are combined simultaneously:
767 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
777 Note that we have indented each level of the input with a
778 different amount of space. LilyPond does not care how much (or
779 little) space there is at the beginning of a line, but indenting
780 LilyPond code like this makes it much easier for humans to read.
782 @warning{each note is relative to the previous note in the input,
783 only the first is relative to the @code{c''} in the initial
784 @code{@bs{}relative} command.}
787 @node Simultaneous music expressions single staff
788 @unnumberedsubsubsec Simultaneous music expressions: single staff
791 To determine the number of staves in a piece, LilyPond looks at
792 the beginning of the first expression. If there is a single note,
793 there is one staff; if there is a simultaneous expression, there
794 is more than one staff. The following example shows a complex
795 expression, but as it begins with a single note it will be set
796 out on a single staff.
798 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
801 << { e2 f } { c2 <<b d>> } >> |
805 @node Multiple staves
806 @subsection Multiple staves
808 @cindex multiple staves
809 @cindex staves, multiple
811 @cindex context, notation
812 @cindex notation context
824 LilyPond input files are constructed out of music expressions, as
825 we saw in @ref{Music expressions explained}. If the score begins
826 with simultaneous music expressions, LilyPond creates multiples
827 staves. However, it is easier to see what happens if we create
828 each staff explicitly.
830 To print more than one staff, each piece of music that makes up a
831 staff is marked by adding @code{\new Staff} before it. These
832 @code{Staff} elements are then combined in parallel with @code{<<}
835 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
838 \new Staff { \clef "treble" c''4 }
839 \new Staff { \clef "bass" c,,4 }
844 The command @code{\new} introduces a @q{notation context.} A
845 notation context is an environment in which musical events (like
846 notes or @code{\clef} commands) are interpreted. For simple
847 pieces, such notation contexts are created automatically. For
848 more complex pieces, it is best to mark contexts explicitly.
850 There are several types of contexts. @code{Score}, @code{Staff},
851 and @code{Voice} handle melodic notation, while @code{Lyrics} sets
852 lyric texts and @code{ChordNames} prints chord names.
854 In terms of syntax, prepending @code{\new} to a music expression
855 creates a bigger music expression. In this way it resembles the
856 minus sign in mathematics. The formula @math{(4+5)} is an
857 expression, so @math{-(4+5)} is a bigger expression.
859 Time signatures entered in one staff affect all other staves by
860 default. On the other hand, the key signature of one staff does
861 @emph{not} affect other staves. This different default behavior
862 is because scores with transposing instruments are more common
863 than polyrhythmic scores.
865 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
868 \new Staff { \clef "treble" \key d \major \time 3/4 c''4 }
869 \new Staff { \clef "bass" c,,4 }
875 @subsection Staff groups
894 Piano music is typeset in two staves connected by a
896 Printing such a staff is similar to the polyphonic example in
897 @ref{Multiple staves}. However, now this entire expression is
898 inserted inside a @code{PianoStaff}:
907 Here is a small example:
909 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
912 \new Staff { \time 2/4 c''4 e | g g, | }
913 \new Staff { \clef "bass" c,,4 c' | e c | }
918 Other staff groupings are introduced with @code{\new GrandStaff},
919 suitable for orchestral scores, and @w{@code{\new ChoirStaff}},
920 suitable for vocal scores. These staff groups each form another
921 type of context, one that generates the brace at the left end of
922 every system and also controls the extent of bar lines.
927 @ruser{Keyboard and other multi-staff instruments},
928 @ruser{Displaying staves}.
931 @node Combining notes into chords
932 @subsection Combining notes into chords
934 Music Glossary: @rglos{chord}
937 @cindex note durations in chords
943 We saw earlier how notes can be combined into @notation{chords} by
944 indicating they are simultaneous by enclosing them in double angle
945 brackets. However, the normal way of indicating a chord is to
946 surround the pitches with @emph{single} angle brackets. Note that
947 all the notes in a chord must have the same duration, and that the
948 duration is placed after the closing bracket.
950 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
954 Think of chords as almost equivalent to single notes:
955 almost everything you can attach to a single note can be attached
956 to a chord, and everything must go @emph{outside} the angle
957 brackets. For example, you can combine markings like beams and
958 ties with chords. They must be placed outside the angle brackets.
960 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
961 r4 <c e g>~ <c f a>2 |
962 <c e g>8[ <c f a> <c e g> <c f a>]
963 <c e g>8\>[ <c f a> <c f a> <c e g>]\! |
964 r4 <c e g>8.\p <c f a>16( <c e g>4-. <c f a>) |
969 @ruser{Chorded notes}.
972 @node Single staff polyphony
973 @subsection Single staff polyphony
976 @cindex multiple voices
977 @cindex voices, more on one staff
978 @cindex single staff polyphony
982 @funindex << ... \\ ... >>
987 Polyphonic music in lilypond, while not difficult, uses concepts
988 that we haven't discussed yet, so we're not going to introduce
989 them here. Instead, the following sections introduce these concepts
990 and explain them thoroughly.
994 @ref{Voices contain music}.
997 @ruser{Simultaneous notes}.
1002 This section introduces vocal music and simple song sheets.
1005 * Setting simple songs::
1006 * Aligning lyrics to a melody::
1007 * Lyrics to multiple staves::
1011 @node Setting simple songs
1012 @subsection Setting simple songs
1017 @funindex \addlyrics
1020 Music Glossary: @rglos{lyrics}.
1022 Here is the start of the melody to a nursery
1023 rhyme, @notation{Girls and boys come out to play}:
1025 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1029 d''4 b8 c4 a8 | d4 b8 g4
1033 The @notation{lyrics} can be set to these notes, combining both
1034 with the @code{\addlyrics} keyword. Lyrics are entered by
1035 separating each syllable with a space.
1037 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1042 d''4 b8 c4 a8 | d4 b8 g4
1045 Girls and boys come out to play,
1050 Note the double angle brackets @w{@code{<<@dots{}>>}} around the
1051 whole piece to show that the music and lyrics are to occur at the
1054 @node Aligning lyrics to a melody
1055 @subsection Aligning lyrics to a melody
1058 @cindex extender line
1061 @cindex lyrics, aligning
1062 @cindex aligning lyrics
1063 @cindex lyrics, multi-syllable words
1064 @cindex words with multiple syllables in lyrics
1066 Music Glossary: @rglos{melisma}, @rglos{extender line}.
1068 The next line in the nursery rhyme is @notation{The moon doth
1069 shine as bright as day}. Let's extend it:
1071 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1076 d''4 b8 c4 a8 | d4 b8 g4 g8 |
1077 a4 b8 c b a | d4 b8 g4. |
1080 Girls and boys come out to play,
1081 The moon doth shine as bright as day;
1086 Looking at the music, we see that the extra lyrics do not align
1087 properly with the notes. The word @notation{shine} should be sung
1088 on two notes, not one. This is called a @notation{melisma}, a
1089 single syllable sung to more than one note. There are several
1090 ways to spread a syllable over multiple notes, the simplest being
1091 to add a slur across them, for details, see @ref{Ties and slurs}:
1093 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1098 d''4 b8 c4 a8 | d4 b8 g4 g8 |
1099 a4 b8 c( b) a | d4 b8 g4. |
1102 Girls and boys come out to play,
1103 The moon doth shine as bright as day;
1108 The words now line up correctly with the notes, but the automatic
1109 beaming for the notes above @notation{shine as} does not look right.
1110 We can correct this by inserting manual beaming commands to override
1111 the automatic beaming here, for details, see @ref{Automatic and
1114 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1119 d''4 b8 c4 a8 | d4 b8 g4 g8 |
1120 a4 b8 c([ b]) a | d4 b8 g4. |
1123 Girls and boys come out to play,
1124 The moon doth shine as bright as day;
1129 As an alternative to using slurs, the melismata may be indicated
1130 in just the lyrics by using an underscore @code{_} for each note
1131 that should be included in the melisma:
1133 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1138 d''4 b8 c4 a8 | d4 b8 g4 g8 |
1139 a4 b8 c[ b] a | d4 b8 g4. |
1142 Girls and boys come out to play,
1143 The moon doth shine _ as bright as day;
1148 If a syllable extends over several notes or a single very long
1149 note an @notation{extender line} is usually drawn from the
1150 syllable extending under all the notes for that syllable. It is
1151 entered as two underscores @code{__}. Here is an example from the
1152 first three bars of @notation{Dido's Lament}, from Purcell's
1153 @notation{Dido and Æneas}:
1155 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1160 g'2 a bes | bes2( a) b2 |
1161 c4.( bes8 a4. g8 fis4.) g8 | fis1
1165 am laid __ in earth,
1170 None of the examples so far have involved words containing more
1171 than one syllable. Such words are usually split one syllable to a
1172 note, with hyphens between syllables. Such hyphens are entered as
1173 two dashes, resulting in a centered hyphen between the syllables.
1174 Here is an example showing this and everything we have learned so
1175 far about aligning lyrics to notes.
1177 @c no ragged-right here because otherwise the hyphens get lost,
1178 @c but the example is long enough to avoid looking strange.
1179 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,noragged-right]
1185 d4 | g4 g a8( b) | g4 g b8( c) |
1189 A -- way in a __ man -- ger,
1190 no __ crib for a bed,
1195 Some lyrics, especially those in Italian, require the opposite:
1196 setting more than one syllable to a single note. This is
1197 achieved by linking the syllables together with a single
1198 underscore @code{_} (with no spaces), or enclosing them in quotes.
1199 Here's an example from Rossini's @notation{Figaro}, where
1200 @notation{al} has to be sung on the same note as the @notation{go} of
1201 @notation{Largo} in Figaro's aria @notation{Largo al factotum}:
1203 @c no ragged-right here because otherwise the hyphens get lost,
1204 @c but the example is long enough to avoid looking strange.
1205 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,noragged-right]
1211 c'4.~ 8 d b | c8([ d]) b c d b | c8
1214 Lar -- go_al fac -- to -- tum del -- la cit -- tÃ
1222 @ruser{Vocal music}.
1225 @node Lyrics to multiple staves
1226 @subsection Lyrics to multiple staves
1228 @cindex lyrics and multiple staves
1229 @cindex multiple staves and lyrics
1231 The simple approach using @code{\addlyrics} can be used for
1232 placing lyrics under more than one staff. Here is an
1233 example from Handel's @notation{Judas Maccabæus}:
1235 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1241 c8 | c8([ bes]) a a([ g]) f | f'4. b, | c4.~ 4
1244 Let flee -- cy flocks the hills a -- dorn, __
1250 r8 | r4. r4 c8 | a'8([ g]) f f([ e]) d | e8([ d]) c bes'4
1253 Let flee -- cy flocks the hills a -- dorn,
1258 Scores any more complex than this simple example are better
1259 produced by separating out the score structure from the notes and
1260 lyrics with variables. These are discussed in @ref{Organizing
1261 pieces with variables}.
1266 @ruser{Vocal music}.
1270 @section Final touches
1272 This is the final section of the tutorial; it demonstrates how to
1273 add the final touches to simple pieces, and provides an
1274 introduction to the rest of the manual.
1277 * Organizing pieces with variables::
1279 * Absolute note names::
1280 * After the tutorial::
1284 @node Organizing pieces with variables
1285 @subsection Organizing pieces with variables
1288 @cindex variables, defining
1291 @cindex assigning variables
1292 @cindex using variables
1293 @cindex variables, using
1294 @cindex variables, characters allowed in
1295 @cindex characters allowed in variables
1297 When all of the elements discussed earlier are combined to produce
1298 larger files, the music expressions get a lot bigger. In
1299 polyphonic music with many staves, the input files can become very
1300 confusing. We can reduce this confusion by using
1303 With variables (also known as identifiers or macros), we can break
1304 up complex music expressions. A variable is assigned as
1308 namedMusic = @{ @dots{} @}
1311 The contents of the music expression @code{namedMusic} can be used
1312 later by placing a backslash in front of the name
1313 (@code{\namedMusic}, just like a normal LilyPond command).
1315 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1316 violin = \new Staff {
1322 cello = \new Staff {
1338 The name of a variable must have alphabetic characters only, no
1339 numbers, underscores, or dashes.
1341 Variables must be defined @emph{before} the main music
1342 expression, but may be used as many times as required anywhere after
1343 they have been defined. They may even be used in a later definition
1344 of another variable, giving a way of shortening the input if a
1345 section of music is repeated many times.
1347 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1348 tripletA = \tuplet 3/2 { c,8 e g }
1349 barA = { \tripletA \tripletA \tripletA \tripletA }
1356 Variables may be used for many other types of objects in
1357 the input. For example,
1362 aFivePaper = \paper @{ paperheight = 21.0 \cm @}
1365 Depending on its contents, the variable can be used in different
1366 places. The following example uses the above variables:
1381 @subsection Adding titles
1385 @cindex header block
1390 The title, composer, opus number, and similar information are
1391 entered in the @code{\header} block. This exists outside of the
1392 main music expression; the @code{\header} block is usually placed
1393 underneath the version number.
1396 \version @w{"@version{}"}
1405 @dots{} music @dots{}
1409 When the file is processed, the title and composer are printed
1410 above the music. More information on titling can be found in
1411 @ruser{Creating titles headers and footers}.
1414 @node Absolute note names
1415 @subsection Absolute note names
1418 @cindex note names, absolute
1419 @cindex absolute mode
1420 @cindex absolute values for pitches
1421 @cindex pitches, absolute values
1422 @cindex absolute note names
1424 So far we have always used @code{\relative} to define pitches.
1425 This is usually the fastest way to enter most music. Without
1426 @code{\relative}, pitches are interpreted in absolute mode.
1428 In this mode, LilyPond treats all pitches as absolute values. A
1429 @code{c'} will always mean middle C, a @code{b} will always mean
1430 the note one step below middle C, and a @code{g,} will always mean
1431 the note on the bottom staff of the bass clef.
1433 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1441 Here is a four-octave scale:
1443 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1458 As you can see, writing a melody in the treble clef involves a lot
1459 of quote @code{'} marks. Consider this fragment from Mozart:
1461 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1465 cis''8. d''16 cis''8 e''4 e''8 |
1466 b'8. cis''16 b'8 d''4 d''8 |
1470 All these quotes makes the input less readable and they are a source
1471 of errors. With @code{\relative}, the previous example is much
1472 easier to read and type:
1474 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1478 cis''8. d16 cis8 e4 e8 |
1479 b8. cis16 b8 d4 d8 |
1483 If you make a mistake with an octave mark (@code{'} or @code{,})
1484 while working in @code{\relative} mode, it is very obvious -- many
1485 notes will be in the wrong octave. When working in absolute mode,
1486 a single mistake will not be as visible, and will not be as easy
1489 However, absolute mode is useful for music which has large
1490 intervals, and is extremely useful for computer-generated LilyPond
1491 files. When cutting and pasting melody fragments, absolute mode
1492 preserves the original octave.
1494 Sometimes music is arranged in more complex ways. If you are
1495 using @code{\relative} inside of @code{\relative}, the outer and
1496 inner relative sections are independent:
1498 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1499 \relative { c'4 \relative { f'' g } c }
1503 If you are using absolute music inside of relative, you'll need to
1504 mark the absolute music explicitly with @code{\absolute} to stop
1505 it from becoming part of the relative music:
1507 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
1508 \relative { c'4 \absolute { f'' g'' } c }
1511 @node After the tutorial
1512 @subsection After the tutorial
1514 After finishing the tutorial, you should probably try writing a
1515 piece or two. Start by adding notes to one of the
1516 @ref{Templates}. If you need any notation that was not covered in
1517 the tutorial, look at the Notation Reference, starting with
1518 @ruser{Musical notation}. If you want to write for an instrument
1519 ensemble that is not covered in the templates, take a look at
1520 @ref{Extending the templates}.
1522 Once you have written a few short pieces, read the rest of the
1523 Learning Manual (chapters 3-5). There's nothing wrong with
1524 reading it now, of course! However, the rest of the Learning
1525 Manual assumes that you are familiar with LilyPond input. You may
1526 wish to skim these chapters right now, and come back to them after
1527 you have more experience.
1529 In this tutorial and in the rest of the Learning Manual, there is a
1530 paragraph @strong{See also} at the end of each section, which contains
1531 cross-references to other sections: you should not follow these
1532 cross-references at first reading; when you have read all of the
1533 Learning Manual, you may want to read some sections again and follow
1534 cross-references for further reading.
1536 If you have not done so already, @emph{please} read @ref{Overview
1537 of manuals}. There is a lot of information about LilyPond, so
1538 newcomers often do not know where they should look for help. If
1539 you spend five minutes reading that section carefully, you might
1540 save yourself hours of frustration looking in the wrong places!