1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
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15 @lilypondfile[quote]{rhythms-headword.ly}
17 This section discusses rhythms, rests, durations, beaming and bars.
22 * Displaying rhythms::
25 * Special rhythmic concerns::
30 @subsection Writing rhythms
40 @unnumberedsubsubsec Durations
42 @cindex durations, of notes
43 @cindex note durations
44 @cindex length of notes
54 Durations are designated by numbers and dots. Durations are entered
55 as their reciprocal values. For example, a quarter note is entered
56 using a @code{4} (since it is a 1/4 note), and a half note is entered
57 using a @code{2} (since it is a 1/2 note). For notes longer than a
58 whole you must use the @code{\longa} (a double breve) and
59 @code{\breve} commands. Durations as short as 128th notes may be
60 specified. Shorter values are possible, but only as beamed notes.
62 @c Two 64th notes are needed to obtain beams
63 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
66 c4 c8 c16 c32 c64 c128 c128
69 Here are the same durations with automatic beaming turned off.
71 @c not strictly "writing rhythms"; more of a "displaying" thing,
72 @c but it's ok here. -gp
73 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
77 c4 c8 c16 c32 c64 c128 c128
80 A note with the duration of a quadruple breve may be entered with
81 @code{\maxima}, but this is supported only within ancient music
82 notation. For details, see @ref{Ancient notation}.
84 @cindex duration, default
85 @cindex default note duration
86 @cindex note duration, default
88 If the duration is omitted, it is set to the previously
89 entered duration. The default for the first note is a quarter
92 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
98 @cindex notes, double-dotted
99 @cindex double-dotted notes
103 To obtain dotted note lengths, place a dot (@code{.}) after the
104 duration. Double-dotted notes are specified by appending two
107 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
108 a4 b c4. b8 a4. b4.. c8.
111 Some durations cannot be represented with just binary durations
112 and dots; they can be represented only by tying two or more
113 notes together. For details, see @ref{Ties}.
115 For ways of specifying durations for the syllables of lyrics and
116 ways of aligning lyrics to notes, see @ref{Vocal music}.
118 Optionally, notes can be spaced strictly proportionately to their
119 duration. For details of this and other settings which control
120 proportional notation, see @ref{Proportional notation}.
126 @funindex \dotsNeutral
127 @funindex dotsNeutral
129 Dots are normally moved up to avoid staff lines, except in
130 polyphonic situations. Dots may be manually placed above or below
131 the staff; see @ref{Direction and placement}.
145 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
146 {changing-the-number-of-augmentation-dots-per-note.ly}
155 @rglos{Duration names notes and rests}.
158 @ref{Automatic beams},
161 @ref{Writing rhythms},
164 @ref{Ancient notation},
165 @ref{Proportional notation}.
172 @rinternals{DotColumn}.
177 @c Deliberately duplicated in Durations and Rests. -gp
178 There is no fundamental limit to rest durations (both in terms of
179 longest and shortest), but the number of glyphs is limited:
180 rests from 128th to maxima (8 x whole) may be printed.
184 @unnumberedsubsubsec Tuplets
192 Tuplets are made from a music expression by multiplying all the
193 durations with a fraction:
196 \times @var{fraction} @{ @var{music} @}
200 The duration of @var{music} will be multiplied by the
201 fraction. The fraction's denominator will be printed over or
202 under the notes, optionally with a bracket. The most common
203 tuplet is the triplet in which 3 notes have the duration of 2, so
204 the notes are 2/3 of their written length.
206 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
207 a2 \times 2/3 { b4 b b }
208 c4 c \times 2/3 { b4 a g }
211 @cindex tuplet bracket placement
215 @funindex \tupletDown
217 @funindex \tupletNeutral
218 @funindex tupletNeutral
220 Tuplet brackets may be manually placed above or below the staff;
221 see @ref{Direction and placement}.
223 Tuplets may be nested:
225 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
227 c4 \times 4/5 { f8 e f \times 2/3 { e[ f g] } } f4
230 Modifying nested tuplets which begin at the same musical moment
231 must be done with @code{\tweak}.
233 To modify the duration of notes without printing a tuplet bracket,
234 see @ref{Scaling durations}.
240 @code{\tupletNeutral}.
246 @cindex tuplet formatting
247 @cindex triplet formatting
249 @funindex tupletNumberFormatFunction
250 @funindex tupletSpannerDuration
252 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
253 {entering-several-tuplets-using-only-one--times-command.ly}
255 @cindex Tuplet number changes
257 @funindex TupletNumber
259 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
260 {changing-the-tuplet-number.ly}
262 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
263 {non-default-tuplet-numbers.ly}
265 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
266 {controlling-tuplet-bracket-visibility.ly}
268 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
269 {permitting-line-breaks-within-beamed-tuplets.ly}
279 @rlearning{Tweaking methods}.
282 @ref{Time administration},
283 @ref{Scaling durations},
284 @ref{The tweak command},
285 @ref{Polymetric notation}.
291 @rinternals{TupletBracket},
292 @rinternals{TupletNumber},
293 @rinternals{TimeScaledMusic}.
296 @cindex grace notes within tuplet brackets
299 Grace notes may be placed within tuplet brackets, @emph{except}
300 when a staff begins with a grace note followed by a tuplet. In this
301 particular case, the grace note must be placed before the @code{\times}
302 command to avoid errors.
304 @cindex tempo marks within tuplet brackets
306 When using a tuplet at the beginning of a piece with a @code{\tempo}
307 mark, the music must be explicitely entered in a @code{\new Voice}
308 block, as discussed in @rlearning{Voices contain music}.
311 @node Scaling durations
312 @unnumberedsubsubsec Scaling durations
314 @cindex scaling durations
315 @cindex durations, scaling
317 You can alter the duration of single notes, rests or chords by a
318 fraction @code{N/M} by appending @code{*N/M} (or @code{*N} if @code{M}
319 is 1) to the duration. This will not affect the appearance of the
320 notes or rests produced, but the altered duration will be used in
321 calculating the position within the measure and setting the duration
322 in the MIDI output. Multiplying factors may be combined such as
325 In the following example, the first three notes take up exactly
326 two beats, but no triplet bracket is printed.
328 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
330 % Alter durations to triplets
331 a4*2/3 gis4*2/3 a4*2/3
334 % Double the duration of chord
336 % Duration of quarter, appears like sixteenth
340 The duration of spacing notes may also be modified by
341 a multiplier. This is useful for skipping many measures, e.g.,
344 @cindex compressing music
345 @cindex expanding music
347 @funindex \scaleDurations
348 @funindex scaleDurations
350 Longer stretches of music may be compressed by a fraction in the
351 same way, as if every note, chord or rest had the fraction as a
352 multiplier. This leaves the appearance of the music unchanged but
353 the internal duration of the notes will be multiplied by the
354 fraction @emph{num}/@emph{den}. The spaces around the dot are
355 required. Here is an example showing how music can be compressed
358 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
362 % Scale music by *2/3
363 \scaleDurations #'(2 . 3) {
367 \scaleDurations #'(2 . 1) {
372 One application of this command is in polymetric
373 notation, see @ref{Polymetric notation}.
379 @ref{Invisible rests},
380 @ref{Polymetric notation}.
387 @unnumberedsubsubsec Ties
393 A tie connects two adjacent note heads of the same pitch. The tie
394 in effect extends the duration of a note.
396 @warning{Ties should not be confused with @emph{slurs}, which
397 indicate articulation, or @emph{phrasing slurs}, which indicate
398 musical phrasing. A tie is just a way of extending a note
399 duration, similar to the augmentation dot.}
401 A tie is entered using the tilde symbol (@code{~}).
403 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
407 Ties are used either when the note crosses a bar line, or when
408 dots cannot be used to denote the rhythm. Ties should also be
409 used when note values cross larger subdivisions of the measure:
411 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
418 If you need to tie many notes across bar lines, it may be
419 easier to use automatic note splitting, see @ref{Automatic note
420 splitting}. This mechanism automatically splits long notes, and
421 ties them across bar lines.
423 @cindex ties and chords
424 @cindex chords and ties
426 When a tie is applied to a chord, all note heads whose pitches
427 match are connected. When no note heads match, no ties will be
428 created. Chords may be partially tied by placing the tie inside
431 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1]
433 <c~ e g~ b> <c e g b>
436 @cindex repeating ties
437 @cindex ties, repeating
438 @cindex volta brackets and ties
439 @cindex ties and volta brackets
444 When a second alternative of a repeat starts with a tied note, you
445 have to specify the repeated tie as follows:
447 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
448 \repeat volta 2 { c g <c e>2 ~ }
450 % First alternative: following note is tied normally
452 % Second alternative: following note has a repeated tie
453 { <c e>2\repeatTie d4 c } }
456 @cindex laissez vibrer
457 @cindex ties, laissez vibrer
459 @funindex \laissezVibrer
460 @funindex laissezVibrer
462 @notation{L.v.}@: ties (@notation{laissez vibrer}) indicate that
463 notes must not be damped at the end. It is used in notation for
464 piano, harp and other string and percussion instruments. They can
465 be entered as follows:
467 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1]
468 <c f g>1\laissezVibrer
471 @cindex ties, placement
477 @funindex \tieNeutral
480 Ties may be manually placed above or below the staff; see
481 @ref{Direction and placement}.
483 @cindex ties, appearance
496 Ties may be made dashed, dotted, or a combination of solid and
499 @lilypond[quote, verbatim, relative=1]
512 Custom dash patterns can be specified:
514 @lilypond[quote, verbatim, relative=1]
515 \tieDashPattern #0.3 #0.75
517 \tieDashPattern #0.7 #1.5
523 Dash pattern definitions for ties have the same structure as
524 dash pattern definitions for slurs.
525 For more information about complex dash patterns,
526 see the snippets under @ref{Slurs}.
534 @code{\tieDashPattern},
535 @code{\tieHalfDashed},
536 @code{\tieHalfSolid},
543 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
544 {using-ties-with-arpeggios.ly}
546 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
547 {engraving-ties-manually.ly}
553 @rglos{laissez vibrer}.
557 @ref{Automatic note splitting}.
563 @rinternals{LaissezVibrerTie},
564 @rinternals{LaissezVibrerTieColumn},
565 @rinternals{TieColumn},
571 Switching staves when a tie is active will not produce a slanted
574 Changing clefs or octavations during a tie is not really
575 well-defined. In these cases, a slur may be preferable.
580 @subsection Writing rests
582 Rests are entered as part of the music in music expressions.
587 * Full measure rests::
591 @unnumberedsubsubsec Rests
594 @cindex rest, entering durations
609 Rests are entered like notes with the note name @code{r}.
610 Durations longer than a whole rest use the predefined
613 @c \time 16/1 is used to avoid spurious bar lines
614 @c and long tracts of empty measures
615 @lilypond[fragment,quote,verbatim]
617 % These two lines are just to prettify this example
619 \override Staff.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f
620 % Print a maxima rest, equal to four breves
622 % Print a longa rest, equal to two breves
626 r1 r2 r4 r8 r16 r32 r64 r128
630 @cindex rest, multi-measure
631 @cindex rest, whole-measure
633 Whole measure rests, centered in the middle of the measure, must be
634 entered as multi-measure rests. They can be used for a single
635 measure as well as many measures and are discussed in @ref{Full
638 @cindex rest, specifying vertical position
640 To explicitly specify a rest's vertical position, write a note
641 followed by @code{\rest}. A rest of the duration of the note will
642 be placed at the staff position where the note would appear. This
643 allows for precise manual formatting of polyphonic music, since the
644 automatic rest collision formatter will not move these rests.
646 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
652 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
663 @ref{Full measure rests}.
674 @c Deliberately duplicated in Durations and Rests. -gp
675 There is no fundamental limit to rest durations (both in terms of
676 longest and shortest), but the number of glyphs is limited: there
677 are rests from 128th to maxima (8 x whole).
680 @node Invisible rests
681 @unnumberedsubsubsec Invisible rests
684 @cindex invisible rest
685 @cindex rest, invisible
693 An invisible rest (also called a @q{spacer rest}) can be entered
694 like a note with the note name@tie{}@code{s}:
696 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
703 Spacer rests are available only in note mode and chord mode. In
704 other situations, for example, when entering lyrics, the
705 command @code{\skip} is used to skip a musical moment.
706 @code{\skip} requires an explicit duration.
708 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
721 Because @code{\skip} is a command, it does not affect the default
722 durations of following notes, unlike@tie{}@code{s}.
724 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
727 \repeat unfold 8 {a4}
737 A spacer rest implicitly causes @code{Staff} and @code{Voice}
738 contexts to be created if none exist, just like notes and rests
741 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment]
745 @code{\skip} simply skips musical time; it creates no output of
748 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment]
749 % This is valid input, but does nothing
750 \skip 1 \skip1 \skip 1
756 @rlearning{Visibility and color of objects}.
760 @ref{Visibility of objects}.
766 @rinternals{SkipMusic}.
769 @node Full measure rests
770 @unnumberedsubsubsec Full measure rests
772 @cindex multi-measure rests
773 @cindex full-measure rests
774 @cindex rest, multi-measure
775 @cindex rest, full-measure
776 @cindex whole rest for a full measure
777 @cindex rest, whole for a full measure
781 Rests for one or more full measures are entered like notes with
782 the note name uppercase @code{R}:
784 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
785 % Rest measures contracted to single measure
786 \compressFullBarRests
793 The duration of full-measure rests is identical to the duration
794 notation used for notes. The duration in a multi-measure rest must
795 always be an integral number of measure-lengths, so augmentation dots
796 or fractions must often be used:
798 @lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim]
799 \compressFullBarRests
805 R1*13/8 | R1*13/8*12 |
810 A full-measure rest is printed as either a whole or breve rest,
811 centered in the measure, depending on the time signature.
813 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment]
822 @cindex multi-measure rest, expanding
823 @cindex multi-measure rest, contracting
825 @funindex \expandFullBarRests
826 @funindex expandFullBarRests
827 @funindex \compressFullBarRests
828 @funindex compressFullBarRests
830 By default a multi-measure rest is expanded in the printed score to
831 show all the rest measures explicitly. Alternatively, a multi-measure
832 rest can be shown as a single measure containing a multi-measure rest
833 symbol, with the number of measures of rest printed above the measure:
835 @lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim]
837 \time 3/4 r2. | R2.*2 |
840 % Rest measures contracted to single measure
841 \compressFullBarRests
843 % Rest measures expanded
850 @cindex text on multi-measure rest
851 @cindex multi-measure rest, attaching text
852 @cindex script on multi-measure rest
853 @cindex multi-measure rest, script
854 @cindex fermata on multi-measure rest
855 @cindex multi-measure rest, attaching fermata
856 @cindex markup on multi-measure rest
857 @cindex multi-measure rest with markup
859 @funindex \fermataMarkup
860 @funindex fermataMarkup
861 @funindex MultiMeasureRestText
863 Markups can be added to multi-measure rests.
864 The predefined command @code{\fermataMarkup}
865 is provided for adding fermatas.
867 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment]
868 \compressFullBarRests
870 R2.*10^\markup { \italic "ad lib." }
875 Markups attached to a multi-measure rest are
876 objects of type @code{MultiMeasureRestText}, not
877 @code{TextScript}. Overrides must be directed to the correct
878 object, or they will be ignored. See the following example.
881 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment]
882 % This fails, as the wrong object name is specified
883 \override TextScript #'padding = #5
885 % This is correct and works
886 \override MultiMeasureRestText #'padding = #5
890 When a multi-measure rest immediately follows a @code{\partial}
891 setting, resulting bar-check warnings may not be displayed.
894 @funindex \textLengthOn
895 @funindex textLengthOn
896 @funindex \textLengthOff
897 @funindex textLenthOff
898 @funindex \fermataMarkup
899 @funindex fermataMarkup
900 @funindex \compressFullBarRests
901 @funindex compressFullBarRests
902 @funindex \expandFullBarRests
903 @funindex expandFullBarRests
906 @code{\textLengthOn},
907 @code{\textLengthOff},
908 @code{\fermataMarkup},
909 @code{\compressFullBarRests},
910 @code{\expandFullBarRests}.
918 @cindex kirchenpausen
920 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
921 {changing-form-of-multi-measure-rests.ly}
923 @cindex multi-measure rests, positioning
924 @cindex positioning multi-measure rests
926 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
927 {positioning-multi-measure-rests.ly}
929 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
930 {multi-measure-rest-markup.ly}
935 @rglos{multi-measure rest}.
940 @ref{Formatting text},
947 @rinternals{MultiMeasureRest},
948 @rinternals{MultiMeasureRestNumber},
949 @rinternals{MultiMeasureRestText}.
952 @cindex fingerings and multi-measure rests
953 @cindex multi-measure rests and fingerings
957 If an attempt is made to use fingerings (e.g.,
958 @code{R1*10-4}) to put numbers over multi-measure rests, the
959 fingering numeral (4) may collide with the bar counter
962 @cindex condensing rests
963 @cindex rest, condensing ordinary
965 There is no way to automatically condense multiple ordinary rests
966 into a single multi-measure rest.
968 @cindex rest, collisions of
970 Multi-measure rests do not take part in rest collisions.
972 @node Displaying rhythms
973 @subsection Displaying rhythms
979 * Polymetric notation::
980 * Automatic note splitting::
981 * Showing melody rhythms::
985 @unnumberedsubsubsec Time signature
987 @cindex time signature
993 The time signature is set as follows:
995 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
1000 @cindex time signature, visibility of
1002 Time signatures are printed at the beginning of a piece
1003 and whenever the time signature changes. If a change takes place
1004 at the end of a line a warning time signature sign is printed
1005 there. This default behavior may be changed, see
1006 @ref{Visibility of objects}.
1008 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
1018 @cindex time signature style
1021 @funindex \numericTimeSignature
1022 @funindex numericTimeSignature
1023 @funindex \defaultTimeSignature
1024 @funindex defaultTimeSignature
1026 The time signature symbol that is used in 2/2 and 4/4 time can be
1027 changed to a numeric style:
1029 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
1033 % Change to numeric style
1034 \numericTimeSignature
1037 % Revert to default style
1038 \defaultTimeSignature
1044 Mensural time signatures are covered in
1045 @ref{Mensural time signatures}.
1049 @code{\numericTimeSignature},
1050 @code{\defaultTimeSignature}.
1056 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
1057 {changing-the-time-signature-without-affecting-the-beaming.ly}
1059 @cindex compound time signatures
1060 @cindex time signature, compound
1062 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
1063 {compound-time-signatures.ly}
1065 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
1066 {time-signature-printing-only-the-numerator-as-a-number-instead-of-the-fraction.ly}
1071 @rglos{time signature}
1074 @ref{Mensural time signatures},
1075 @ref{Time administration}.
1080 Internals Reference:
1081 @rinternals{TimeSignature},
1082 @rinternals{Timing_translator}.
1086 @unnumberedsubsubsec Upbeats
1090 @cindex partial measure
1091 @cindex measure, partial
1092 @cindex pickup measure
1093 @cindex measure, change length
1095 @funindex measurePosition
1099 Partial or pick-up measures, such as an anacrusis or upbeat, are
1100 entered using the @code{\partial} command, with the syntax
1103 \partial @var{duration}
1107 where @code{duration} is the rhythmic length of the remaining
1108 interval of the current measure before the start of the next.
1110 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
1115 The partial measure can be any duration less than the full measure:
1117 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
1118 \partial 8*3 c8 d e |
1122 Internally, @code{\partial @var{duration}} is translated into:
1125 \set Timing.measurePosition -@var{duration}
1128 For example, @code{\partial 8*3} becomes:
1131 \set Timing.measurePosition = #(ly:make-moment -3 8)
1134 The property @code{measurePosition} contains a rational number
1135 indicating how much of the measure has passed at this point. Note
1136 that this is set to a negative number by the @code{\partial} command:
1137 i.e., @code{\partial 4} is internally translated to @code{-4}, meaning
1138 @qq{there is a quarter note left in the measure.}
1151 @rinternals{Timing_translator}.
1155 The @code{\partial} command is intended to be used only at the
1156 beginning of a piece. If you use it after the beginning, some
1157 odd warnings or effects may occur, in this case use
1158 @code{\set Timing.measurePosition} instead.
1160 @node Unmetered music
1161 @unnumberedsubsubsec Unmetered music
1163 @cindex bar lines, turning off
1164 @cindex bar numbering, turning off
1166 @cindex unmetered music
1168 @funindex \cadenzaOn
1170 @funindex \cadenzaOff
1171 @funindex cadenzaOff
1173 Bar lines and bar numbers are calculated automatically. For
1174 unmetered music (some cadenzas, for example), this is not desirable.
1175 To turn off automatic calculation of bar lines and bar numbers,
1176 use the command @code{\cadenzaOn}, and use @code{\cadenzaOff}
1177 to turn them on again.
1179 @lilypond[verbatim,relative=2,fragment]
1188 Bar numbering is resumed at the end of the cadenza as if the
1189 cadenza were not there:
1191 @lilypond[verbatim,relative=2,fragment]
1192 % Show all bar numbers
1193 \override Score.BarNumber #'break-visibility = #all-visible
1202 Note that these predefined commands affect all staves in the
1203 score, even when they are placed in just one @code{Voice}
1204 context. To change this, move the @code{Timing_translator}
1205 from the @code{Score} context to the @code{Staff} context, as
1206 shown in @ref{Polymetric notation}.
1219 @ref{Visibility of objects},
1220 @ref{Polymetric notation}.
1226 @cindex cadenza line breaks
1227 @cindex cadenza page breaks
1228 @cindex unmetered music, line breaks
1229 @cindex unmetered music, page breaks
1230 @cindex breaks in unmetered music
1231 @cindex line breaks in cadenzas
1232 @cindex page breaks in cadenzas
1233 @cindex line breaks in unmetered music
1234 @cindex page breaks in unmetered music
1238 LilyPond will insert line breaks and page breaks only at a
1239 bar line. Unless the unmetered music ends before the end of the
1240 staff line, you will need to insert invisible bar lines with
1247 to indicate where breaks can occur.
1249 You must explicitly create a @code{Voice} context when starting a
1250 piece with @code{\cadenzaOn}, otherwise strange errors may occur.
1252 @lilypond[verbatim,relative=2,fragment]
1253 \new Voice \relative c'{
1255 c16^"Solo Free Time" d e f g2. \bar "||"
1261 @node Polymetric notation
1262 @unnumberedsubsubsec Polymetric notation
1264 @c This section necessarily uses \set
1265 @c This is acceptable -td
1267 @cindex double time signatures
1268 @cindex signatures, polymetric
1269 @cindex time signatures, polymetric
1270 @cindex time signatures, double
1271 @cindex polymetric signatures
1272 @cindex meter, polymetric
1274 @funindex timeSignatureFraction
1275 @funindex \scaleDurations
1276 @funindex scaleDurations
1280 Polymetric notation is supported, either explicitly or by modifying
1281 the visible time signature symbol and scaling the note durations.
1283 @strong{@i{Staves with different time signatures, equal measure lengths}}
1285 This notation can be created by setting a common time signature
1286 for each staff but replacing the symbol manually by setting
1287 @code{timeSignatureFraction} to the desired fraction and scaling
1288 the printed durations in each staff to the common time
1289 signature; see @ref{Time signature}. The scaling is done with
1290 @code{\scaleDurations}, which is used in a similar way to
1291 @code{\times}, but does not create a tuplet bracket; see
1292 @ref{Scaling durations}.
1294 @cindex beaming in polymetric music
1295 @cindex beaming in polymetric meter
1297 In this example, music with the time signatures of 3/4, 9/8, and
1298 10/8 are used in parallel. In the second staff, shown durations
1299 are multiplied by 2/3, as 2/3 * 9/8 = 3/4, and in the third
1300 staff, shown durations are multiplied by 3/5, as 3/5 * 10/8 = 3/4.
1301 It will often be necessary to insert beams manually, as the
1302 duration scaling affects the autobeaming rules.
1304 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment]
1313 \set Staff.timeSignatureFraction = #'(9 . 8)
1314 \scaleDurations #'(2 . 3)
1315 \repeat unfold 6 { c8[ c c] }
1319 \set Staff.timeSignatureFraction = #'(10 . 8)
1320 \scaleDurations #'(3 . 5) {
1321 \repeat unfold 2 { c8[ c c] }
1322 \repeat unfold 2 { c8[ c] } |
1323 c4. c4. \times 2/3 { c8[ c c] } c4
1329 @strong{@i{Staves with different time signatures, unequal bar lengths}}
1331 Each staff can be given its own independent time signature by
1332 moving the @code{Timing_translator} and the
1333 @code{Default_bar_line_engraver} to the @code{Staff} context.
1335 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
1339 \remove "Timing_translator"
1340 \remove "Default_bar_line_engraver"
1344 \consists "Timing_translator"
1345 \consists "Default_bar_line_engraver"
1349 % Now each staff has its own time signature.
1375 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
1376 {compound-time-signatures.ly}
1382 @rglos{polymetric time signature},
1386 @ref{Time signature},
1387 @ref{Scaling durations}.
1392 Internals Reference:
1393 @rinternals{TimeSignature},
1394 @rinternals{Timing_translator},
1395 @rinternals{Default_bar_line_engraver},
1401 When using different time signatures in parallel, notes
1402 at the same moment will be placed at the same horizontal
1403 location. However, the bar lines in the different staves
1404 will cause the note spacing to be less regular in each of the
1405 individual staves than would be normal without the different
1408 @node Automatic note splitting
1409 @unnumberedsubsubsec Automatic note splitting
1411 @cindex notes, splitting
1412 @cindex splitting notes
1414 @funindex Note_heads_engraver
1415 @funindex Completion_heads_engraver
1417 Long notes which overrun bar lines can be converted automatically
1418 to tied notes. This is done by replacing the
1419 @code{Note_heads_engraver} with the
1420 @code{Completion_heads_engraver}. In the following
1421 example, notes crossing the bar lines are split and tied.
1423 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1]
1425 \remove "Note_heads_engraver"
1426 \consists "Completion_heads_engraver"
1429 { c2. c8 d4 e f g a b c8 c2 b4 a g16 f4 e d c8. c2 }
1432 This engraver splits all running notes at the bar line, and
1433 inserts ties. One of its uses is to debug complex scores: if the
1434 measures are not entirely filled, then the ties show exactly how
1435 much each measure is off.
1443 @rlearning{Engravers explained},
1444 @rlearning{Adding and removing engravers}.
1449 Internals Reference:
1450 @rinternals{Note_heads_engraver},
1451 @rinternals{Completion_heads_engraver},
1452 @rinternals{Forbid_line_break_engraver}.
1457 Not all durations (especially those containing tuplets) can be
1458 represented exactly with normal notes and dots, but the
1459 @code{Completion_heads_engraver} will not insert tuplets.
1461 The @code{Completion_heads_engraver} only affects notes; it does not
1465 @node Showing melody rhythms
1466 @unnumberedsubsubsec Showing melody rhythms
1468 @cindex melody rhythms, showing
1469 @cindex rhythms, showing melody
1471 Sometimes you might want to show only the rhythm of a melody. This
1472 can be done with the rhythmic staff. All pitches of notes on such a
1473 staff are squashed, and the staff itself has a single line
1475 @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim]
1477 \new RhythmicStaff {
1478 \new Voice = "myRhythm" {
1486 \lyricsto "myRhythm" {
1494 @cindex guitar chord charts
1495 @cindex strumming rhythms, showing
1496 @cindex guitar strumming rhythms, showing
1498 @funindex Pitch_squash_engraver
1499 @funindex \improvisationOn
1500 @funindex improvisationOn
1501 @funindex \improvisationOff
1502 @funindex improvisationOff
1504 Guitar chord charts often show the strumming rhythms. This can
1505 be done with the @code{Pitch_squash_engraver} and
1506 @code{\improvisationOn}.
1509 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
1518 \consists Pitch_squash_engraver
1531 @code{\improvisationOn},
1532 @code{\improvisationOff}.
1538 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
1539 {guitar-strum-rhythms.ly}
1546 Internals Reference:
1547 @rinternals{RhythmicStaff},
1548 @rinternals{Pitch_squash_engraver}.
1556 * Setting automatic beam behavior::
1561 @node Automatic beams
1562 @unnumberedsubsubsec Automatic beams
1564 By default, beams are inserted automatically:
1566 @cindex beams, manual
1567 @cindex manual beams
1568 @cindex beams, setting rules for
1569 @cindex beams, custom rules for
1571 @funindex \autoBeamOn
1572 @funindex autoBeamOn
1573 @funindex \autoBeamOff
1574 @funindex autoBeamOff
1576 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
1578 \time 6/8 c c c c8. c16 c8
1581 If these automatic decisions are not satisfactory, beaming can be
1582 entered explicitly; see @ref{Manual beams}. Beams @emph{must} be
1583 entered manually if beams are to be extended over rests.
1585 If automatic beaming is not required, it may be turned off with
1586 @code{\autoBeamOff} and on with @code{\autoBeamOn}:
1588 @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim]
1589 c4 c8 c8. c16 c8. c16 c8
1596 @cindex melismata, beams
1597 @cindex beams and melismata
1599 @warning{If beams are used to indicate melismata in songs, then
1600 automatic beaming should be switched off with @code{\autoBeamOff}
1601 and the beams indicated manually.}
1603 Beaming patterns that differ from the automatic defaults can be
1604 created; see @ref{Setting automatic beam behavior}.
1608 @code{\autoBeamOff},
1615 @cindex line breaks and beams
1616 @cindex beams and line breaks
1620 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
1621 {beams-across-line-breaks.ly}
1623 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
1624 {changing-beam-knee-gap.ly}
1630 @ref{Setting automatic beam behavior}.
1633 @file{scm/@/auto@/-beam@/.scm}.
1638 Internals Reference:
1639 @rinternals{Auto_beam_engraver},
1640 @rinternals{Beam_engraver},
1642 @rinternals{BeamEvent},
1643 @rinternals{BeamForbidEvent},
1644 @rinternals{beam-interface},
1645 @rinternals{unbreakable-spanner-interface}.
1650 Beams can collide with note heads and accidentals in other voices.
1653 @node Setting automatic beam behavior
1654 @unnumberedsubsubsec Setting automatic beam behavior
1657 @cindex automatic beams, tuning
1658 @cindex tuning automatic beaming
1659 @cindex automatic beam generation
1661 @cindex lyrics and beaming
1663 @funindex autoBeaming
1664 @funindex beamSettings
1665 @funindex measureLength
1666 @funindex beatLength
1672 The placement of automatic beams is determined by the time signature.
1673 Three types of rules are used for determining the end of automatic
1674 beams: @emph{default} rules
1675 for the time signature, @emph{explicit} rules for the beam in the time
1676 signature, and the @emph{beatLength} for the time signature.
1678 The following rules, in order of priority, apply when determining
1679 the appearance of beams:
1683 If a manual beam is specified with @code{[..]} set the beam
1684 as specified, otherwise
1687 if @code{\autoBeamOff} is in force do not beam, otherwise
1690 if an explicit beam-ending rule is defined for the beam type
1691 in the time signature, use it to determine the valid
1692 places where beams may end, otherwise
1695 if a default beam-ending rule is defined in the time signature,
1696 use it to group notes with beams, otherwise
1699 use the value of @code{beatLength} to group notes with beams
1703 @i{@strong{Modifying the grouping of beats}}
1705 By default @code{beatLength} is
1706 derived from the time signature set by the @code{\time} command.
1707 The @code{beatLength} is set to be one over the denominator
1708 of the time signature.
1710 @code{beatLength} is a @i{moment},
1711 a unit of musical duration. A quantity of type @i{moment} is
1712 created by the scheme function @code{ly:make-moment}. For more
1713 information about this function, see @ref{Time administration}.
1715 Autobeam settings are stored in the
1716 @code{beamSettings} property. Default values of @code{beamSettings}
1717 are determined in @file{scm/@/beam@/-settings@/.scm}. Entries in
1718 @code{beamSettings} are indexed by time signature and
1721 Time signature should be a scheme pair , e.g. @code{#'(4 . 4)}.
1723 Rule type should be @code{#'end} for beam ending.
1725 The ending rules consist of a scheme alist
1726 (or list of pairs) that
1727 indicates the beam type and the grouping to be applied to
1728 beams containing notes with a shortest duration of that
1732 #'((beam-type1 . grouping-1)
1733 (beam-type2 . grouping-2)
1734 (beam-type3 . grouping-3))
1737 Beam type is either a scheme pair indicating the duration
1738 of the beam, e.g. @code{(1 . 16)}, or @code{*} to indicate a
1739 default rule, which applies to all beams if no explicit rule is
1742 Grouping is a scheme list indicating the grouping to be applied to
1743 the beam. For default rules (where beam type is
1744 @code{*}, the grouping is in units of @code{beatLength}.
1745 For explicit rules, the grouping is in units of the beam type.
1747 For reference, the default beaming rules are found in
1748 @file{scm/beam-settings.scm}.
1750 Beam settings are changed with
1751 @code{\overrideBeamSettings} and @code{\revertBeamSettings}.
1754 The ending settings must be
1755 @emph{complete} rules. That is, every rule that should apply to
1756 the current time signature must be included in the setting.
1757 It is not possible to change the grouping of only one beam type
1758 for a given time signature. While this may seem cumbersome,
1759 it means that the current beaming settings need not be known
1760 in order to specify a new beaming pattern.}
1762 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
1765 \overrideBeamSettings #'Score #'(5 . 16) #'end #'((* . (2 3)))
1767 \overrideBeamSettings #'Score #'(5 . 16) #'end #'((* . (3 2)))
1771 Beam setting changes can be limited to specific contexts. If no
1772 setting is included in a lower-level context, the setting of the
1773 enclosing context will apply.
1775 @lilypond[quote, verbatim,relative=1]
1780 \overrideBeamSettings #'Staff #'(7 . 8) #'end #'((* . (2 3 2)))
1787 \overrideBeamSettings #'Voice #'(7 . 8) #'end #'((* . (1 3 3)))
1794 When multiple voices are used the @code{Staff} context must be
1795 specified if the beaming is to be applied to all voices in the
1798 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
1801 % Context Voice specified -- does not work correctly
1802 % Because of autogenerated voices, all beating will
1803 % be at beatLength (1 . 8)
1804 \overrideBeamSettings #'Voice #'(7 . 8) #'end #'((* . (3 1 1 2)))
1805 << {a8 a a a16 a a a a8 a} \\ {f4. f8 f f f} >>
1807 % Works correctly with context Staff specified
1808 \overrideBeamSettings #'Staff #'(7 . 8) #'end #'((* . (3 1 1 2)))
1809 << {a8 a a a16 a a a a8 a} \\ {f4. f8 f f f} >>
1812 @funindex revertBeamSettings
1814 Beam settings can be reverted to get back to default behavior. This
1815 is accomplished by using @code{\revertBeamSettings}. The arguments
1816 are the same as for @code{\overrideBeamSettings}, except no value
1817 for @var{grouping} is given:
1820 \revertBeamSettings context time-signature rule-type
1824 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
1826 \repeat unfold 8 {a8}
1827 % set default rule for (1 1 1 1) grouping
1828 \overrideBeamSettings #'Score #'(4 . 4) #'end #'((* . (1 1 1 1)))
1829 \repeat unfold 8 {a8}
1830 % revert the new rule
1831 \revertBeamSettings #'Score #'(4 . 4) #'end
1832 \repeat unfold 8 {a8}
1837 @code{\overrideBeamSettings},
1838 @code{\revertBeamSettings}.
1844 @cindex beams, subdividing
1846 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
1847 {sub-dividing-beams.ly}
1849 @cindex measure groupings
1850 @cindex beats, grouping
1851 @cindex grouping beats
1852 @cindex measure sub-grouping
1854 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
1855 {conducting-signs,-measure-grouping-signs.ly}
1857 @cindex beam, last in score
1858 @cindex beam, last in polyphonic voice
1860 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
1861 {beam-endings-in-score-context.ly}
1866 @file{scm/beam-settings.scm}.
1871 Internals Reference:
1872 @rinternals{Auto_beam_engraver},
1874 @rinternals{BeamForbidEvent},
1875 @rinternals{beam-interface}.
1880 If a score ends while an automatic beam has not been ended and is
1881 still accepting notes, this last beam will not be typeset at all.
1882 The same holds for polyphonic voices, entered with @code{<<
1883 @dots{} \\ @dots{} >>}. If a polyphonic voice ends while an
1884 automatic beam is still accepting notes, it is not typeset.
1885 The workaround for these problems is to manually beam the last
1886 beam in the voice or score.
1889 @unnumberedsubsubsec Manual beams
1891 @cindex beams, manual
1892 @cindex manual beams
1897 In some cases it may be necessary to override the automatic
1898 beaming algorithm. For example, the autobeamer will not put beams
1899 over rests or bar lines, and in choral scores the beaming is
1900 often set to follow the meter of the lyrics rather than the
1901 notes. Such beams can be specified manually by
1902 marking the begin and end point with @code{[} and @code{]}.
1904 @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim]
1905 r4 r8[ g' a r8] r8 g[ | a] r8
1908 @cindex manual beams, direction shorthand for
1909 @cindex manual beams, grace notes
1911 Beaming direction can be set manually using direction indicators:
1913 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
1914 c8^[ d e] c,_[ d e f g]
1920 Individual notes may be marked with @code{\noBeam} to prevent them
1923 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
1928 Grace note beams and normal note beams can occur simultaneously.
1929 Unbeamed grace notes are not put into normal note beams.
1931 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
1933 \grace { e32[ d c d] }
1939 @funindex stemLeftBeamCount
1940 @funindex stemRightBeamCount
1942 Even more strict manual control with the beams can be achieved by
1943 setting the properties @code{stemLeftBeamCount} and
1944 @code{stemRightBeamCount}. They specify the number of beams to
1945 draw on the left and right side, respectively, of the next note.
1946 If either property is set, its value will be used only once, and
1947 then it is erased. In this example, the last @code{f} is printed
1948 with only one beam on the left side, i.e., the eighth-note beam of
1949 the group as a whole.
1951 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
1954 \set stemLeftBeamCount = #2
1955 \set stemRightBeamCount = #1
1957 \set stemLeftBeamCount = #1
1969 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
1970 {flat-flags-and-beam-nibs.ly}
1975 @ref{Direction and placement},
1981 Internals Reference:
1983 @rinternals{BeamEvent},
1984 @rinternals{Beam_engraver},
1985 @rinternals{beam-interface},
1986 @rinternals{Stem_engraver}.
1989 @node Feathered beams
1990 @unnumberedsubsubsec Feathered beams
1992 @cindex beams, feathered
1993 @cindex feathered beams
1995 @funindex \featherDurations
1996 @funindex featherDurations
1997 @funindex grow-direction
1999 Feathered beams are used to indicate that a small group of notes
2000 should be played at an increasing (or decreasing) tempo, without
2001 changing the overall tempo of the piece. The extent of the
2002 feathered beam must be indicated manually using @code{[} and
2003 @code{]}, and the beam feathering is turned on by specifying a
2004 direction to the @code{Beam} property @code{grow-direction}.
2006 If the placement of the notes and the sound in the MIDI output is to
2007 reflect the ritardando or accelerando indicated by the feathered beam
2008 the notes must be grouped as a music expression delimited by braces
2009 and preceded by a @code{featherDurations} command which specifies
2010 the ratio between the durations of the first and last notes in the
2013 The square brackets show the extent of the beam and the braces show
2014 which notes are to have their durations modified. Normally these
2015 would delimit the same group of notes, but this is not required: the
2016 two commands are independent.
2018 In the following example the eight 16th notes occupy exactly the
2019 same time as a half note, but the first note is one half as long
2020 as the last one, with the intermediate notes gradually
2021 lengthening. The first four 32nd notes gradually speed up, while
2022 the last four 32nd notes are at a constant tempo.
2024 @lilypond[relative=1,verbatim,quote]
2025 \override Beam #'grow-direction = #LEFT
2026 \featherDurations #(ly:make-moment 2 1)
2027 { c16[ c c c c c c c] }
2028 \override Beam #'grow-direction = #RIGHT
2029 \featherDurations #(ly:make-moment 2 3)
2031 % revert to non-feathered beams
2032 \override Beam #'grow-direction = #'()
2037 The spacing in the printed output represents the
2038 note durations only approximately, but the MIDI output is exact.
2042 @code{\featherDurations}.
2052 The @code{\featherDurations} command only works with very short
2053 music snippets, and when numbers in the fraction are small.
2063 * Bar and bar number checks::
2068 @unnumberedsubsubsec Bar lines
2071 @cindex measure lines
2072 @cindex closing bar lines
2073 @cindex bar lines, closing
2074 @cindex double bar lines
2075 @cindex bar lines, double
2081 Bar lines delimit measures, and are also used to indicate
2082 repeats. Normally, simple bar lines are automatically inserted
2083 into the printed output at places based on the current time
2086 The simple bar lines inserted automatically can be changed to
2087 other types with the @code{\bar} command. For example, a closing
2088 double bar line is usually placed at the end of a piece:
2090 @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim]
2094 It is not invalid if the final note in a measure does not
2095 end on the automatically entered bar line: the note is assumed
2096 to carry over into the next measure. But if a long sequence
2097 of such carry-over measures appears the music can appear compressed
2098 or even flowing off the page. This is because automatic line
2099 breaks happen only at the end of complete measures, i.e., where
2100 all notes end before the end of a measure.
2102 @warning{An incorrect duration can cause line breaks to be
2103 inhibited, leading to a line of highly compressed music or
2104 music which flows off the page.}
2107 @cindex bar lines, invisible
2108 @cindex measure lines, invisible
2110 Line breaks are also permitted at manually inserted bar lines
2111 even within incomplete measures. To allow a line break without
2112 printing a bar line, use the following:
2119 This will insert an invisible bar line and allow (but not
2120 force) a line break to occur at this point. The bar number
2121 counter is not increased. To force a line break see
2122 @ref{Line breaking}.
2124 @cindex manual bar lines
2125 @cindex manual measure lines
2126 @cindex bar lines, manual
2127 @cindex measure lines, manual
2129 This and other special bar lines may be inserted manually at any
2130 point. When they coincide with the end of a measure they replace
2131 the simple bar line which would have been inserted there
2132 automatically. When they do not coincide with the end of a measure
2133 the specified bar line is inserted at that point in the printed
2136 Note that manual bar lines are purely visual. They do not affect
2137 any of the properties that a normal bar line would affect, such as
2138 measure numbers, accidentals, line breaks, etc. They do not affect
2139 the calculation and placement of subsequent automatic bar lines.
2140 When a manual bar line is placed where a normal bar line already
2141 exists, the effects of the original bar line are not altered.
2143 Two types of simple bar lines and five types of double bar lines are
2144 available for manual insertion:
2146 @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim]
2158 together with dotted and dashed bar lines:
2160 @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim]
2167 and five types of repeat bar line:
2169 @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim]
2178 Additionally, a bar line can be printed as a simple tick:
2179 @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim]
2182 However, as such ticks are typically used in Gregorian chant, it is
2183 preferable to use @code{\divisioMinima} there instead, described in
2184 the section @ref{Divisiones} in Gregorian chant.
2188 For in-line segno signs, there are three types of bar lines which
2189 differ in their behavior at line breaks:
2191 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
2209 Although the bar line types signifying repeats may be inserted
2210 manually they do not in themselves cause LilyPond to recognize
2211 a repeated section. Such repeated sections are better entered
2212 using the various repeat commands (see @ref{Repeats}), which
2213 automatically print the appropriate bar lines.
2215 In addition, you can specify @code{"||:"}, which is equivalent to
2216 @code{"|:"} except at line breaks, where it gives a double bar
2217 line at the end of the line and a start repeat at the beginning of
2220 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
2228 For combinations of repeats with the segno sign, there are six different
2231 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
2260 In scores with many staves, a @code{\bar} command in one staff is
2261 automatically applied to all staves. The resulting bar lines are
2262 connected between different staves of a @code{StaffGroup},
2263 @code{PianoStaff}, or @code{GrandStaff}.
2265 @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim]
2273 \new Staff { \clef bass c4 g e g }
2275 \new Staff { \clef bass c2 c2 }
2280 @cindex default bar lines, changing
2281 @cindex bar lines, default, changing
2286 @funindex defaultBarType
2291 The command @code{\bar }@var{bartype} is a shortcut for
2292 @code{\set Timing.whichBar = }@var{bartype}. A bar line is
2293 created whenever the @code{whichBar} property is set.
2295 The default bar type used for automatically inserted bar lines is
2296 @code{"|"}. This may be changed at any time
2297 with @code{\set Timing.defaultBarType = }@var{bartype}.
2302 @ref{Line breaking},
2304 @ref{Grouping staves}.
2309 Internals Reference:
2310 @rinternals{BarLine} (created at @code{Staff} level),
2311 @rinternals{SpanBar} (across staves),
2312 @rinternals{Timing_translator} (for Timing properties).
2316 @unnumberedsubsubsec Bar numbers
2319 @cindex measure numbers
2320 @cindex numbers, bar
2321 @cindex numbers, measure
2323 @funindex currentBarNumber
2325 Bar numbers are typeset by default at the start of every line except
2326 the first line. The number itself is stored in the
2327 @code{currentBarNumber} property, which is normally updated
2328 automatically for every measure. It may also be set manually:
2330 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1]
2333 \set Score.currentBarNumber = #50
2337 @cindex bar numbers, regular spacing
2339 @funindex barNumberVisibility
2342 Bar numbers can be typeset at regular intervals instead of just at
2343 the beginning of every line. To do this the default behavior
2344 must be overridden to permit bar numbers to be printed at places
2345 other than the start of a line. This is controlled by the
2346 @code{break-visibility} property of @code{BarNumber}. This takes
2347 three values which may be set to @code{#t} or @code{#f} to specify
2348 whether the corresponding bar number is visible or not. The order
2349 of the three values is @code{end of line visible}, @code{middle of
2350 line visible}, @code{beginning of line visible}. In the following
2351 example bar numbers are printed at all possible places:
2353 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1]
2354 \override Score.BarNumber #'break-visibility = #'#(#t #t #t)
2355 \set Score.currentBarNumber = #11
2356 % Permit first bar number to be printed
2366 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
2367 {printing-the-bar-number-for-the-first-measure.ly}
2369 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
2370 {printing-bar-numbers-at-regular-intervals.ly}
2372 @cindex measure number, format
2373 @cindex bar number, format
2375 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
2376 {printing-bar-numbers-inside-boxes-or-circles.ly}
2378 @cindex bar number alignment
2380 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
2381 {aligning-bar-numbers.ly}
2383 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
2384 {removing-bar-numbers-from-a-score.ly}
2391 Internals Reference:
2392 @rinternals{BarNumber},
2393 @rinternals{Bar_number_engraver}.
2396 @cindex bar number collision
2397 @cindex collision, bar number
2401 Bar numbers may collide with the top of the @code{StaffGroup} bracket,
2402 if there is one. To solve this, the @code{padding} property of
2403 @code{BarNumber} can be used to position the number correctly. See
2404 @rinternals{StaffGroup} and @rinternals{BarNumber} for more.
2407 @node Bar and bar number checks
2408 @unnumberedsubsubsec Bar and bar number checks
2411 @cindex bar number check
2412 @cindex measure check
2413 @cindex measure number check
2415 @funindex barCheckSynchronize
2418 Bar checks help detect errors in the entered durations. A bar check
2419 may be entered using the bar symbol, @code{|}, at any place where a
2420 bar line is expected to fall. If bar check lines are encountered at
2421 other places, a list of warnings is printed in the log file, showing
2422 the line numbers and lines in which the bar checks failed. In the
2423 next example, the second bar check will signal an error.
2426 \time 3/4 c2 e4 | g2 |
2429 Bar checks can also be used in lyrics:
2434 Twin -- kle | Twin -- kle |
2438 An incorrect duration can result in a completely garbled score,
2439 especially if the score is polyphonic, so a good place to start
2440 correcting input is by scanning for failed bar checks and
2441 incorrect durations.
2443 If successive bar checks are off by the same musical interval,
2444 only the first warning message is displayed. This allows the
2445 warning to focus on the source of the timing error.
2449 @funindex pipeSymbol
2451 It is also possible to redefine the action taken when a bar check
2452 or pipe symbol, @code{|}, is encountered in the input, so that
2453 it does something other than a bar check. This is done by
2454 assigning a music expression to @code{pipeSymbol}.
2455 In the following example @code{|} is set to insert a double bar
2456 line wherever it appears in the input, rather than checking
2459 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
2460 pipeSymbol = \bar "||"
2469 @funindex \barNumberCheck
2470 @funindex barNumberCheck
2472 When copying large pieces of music, it can be helpful to check that
2473 the LilyPond bar number corresponds to the original that you are
2474 entering from. This can be checked with @code{\barNumberCheck}, for
2478 \barNumberCheck #123
2482 will print a warning if the @code{currentBarNumber} is not 123
2483 when it is processed.
2491 @node Rehearsal marks
2492 @unnumberedsubsubsec Rehearsal marks
2494 @cindex rehearsal marks
2495 @cindex mark, rehearsal
2500 To print a rehearsal mark, use the @code{\mark} command.
2502 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
2510 The mark is incremented automatically if you use @code{\mark
2511 \default}, but you can also use an integer argument to set the
2512 mark manually. The value to use is stored in the property
2513 @code{rehearsalMark}.
2515 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
2524 The letter@tie{}@q{I} is skipped in accordance with engraving
2525 traditions. If you wish to include the letter @q{I}, then use one
2526 of the following commands, depending on which style of rehearsal mark
2527 you want (letters only, letters in a hollow box, or letters in a
2531 \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-alphabet
2532 \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-box-alphabet
2533 \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-circle-alphabet
2536 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
2537 \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-box-alphabet
2545 @cindex rehearsal mark format
2546 @cindex rehearsal mark style
2547 @cindex style, rehearsal mark
2548 @cindex format, rehearsal mark
2549 @cindex mark, rehearsal, style
2550 @cindex mark, rehearsal, format
2551 @cindex rehearsal mark, manual
2552 @cindex mark, rehearsal, manual
2553 @cindex custom rehearsal mark
2554 @cindex manual rehearsal mark
2556 The style is defined by the property @code{markFormatter}. It is
2557 a function taking the current mark (an integer) and the current
2558 context as argument. It should return a markup object. In the
2559 following example, @code{markFormatter} is set to a pre-defined
2560 procedure. After a few measures, it is set to a procedure that
2561 produces a boxed number.
2563 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
2564 \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-numbers
2567 \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-box-numbers
2569 \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-circle-numbers
2571 \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-circle-letters
2575 The file @file{scm/@/translation@/-functions@/.scm} contains the
2576 definitions of @code{format-mark-numbers} (the default format),
2577 @code{format-mark-box-numbers}, @code{format-mark-letters} and
2578 @code{format-mark-box-letters}. These can be used as inspiration
2579 for other formatting functions.
2581 You may use @code{format-mark-barnumbers},
2582 @code{format-mark-box-barnumbers}, and
2583 @code{format-mark-circle-barnumbers} to get bar numbers instead of
2584 incremented numbers or letters.
2586 Other styles of rehearsal mark can be specified manually:
2593 Note that @code{Score.markFormatter} does not affect marks specified
2594 in this manner. However, it is possible to apply a @code{\markup} to the
2598 \mark \markup@{ \box A1 @}
2603 @cindex D.S. al Fine
2605 @cindex music glyphs
2606 @cindex glyphs, music
2608 @funindex \musicglyph
2609 @funindex musicglyph
2611 Music glyphs (such as the segno sign) may be printed inside a
2614 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1]
2615 c1 \mark \markup { \musicglyph #"scripts.segno" }
2616 c1 \mark \markup { \musicglyph #"scripts.coda" }
2617 c1 \mark \markup { \musicglyph #"scripts.ufermata" }
2622 See @ref{The Feta font}, for a list of symbols which may be
2623 printed with @code{\musicglyph}.
2625 For common tweaks to the positioning of rehearsal marks, see
2626 @ref{Formatting text}. For more precise control, see
2627 @code{break-alignable-interface} in @ref{Aligning objects}.
2632 @ref{The Feta font},
2633 @ref{Formatting text},
2634 @ref{Aligning objects}.
2637 @file{scm/@/translation@/-functions@/.scm} contains
2638 the definitions of @code{format-mark-numbers} and
2639 @code{format-mark-letters}. They can be used as inspiration for
2640 other formatting functions.
2645 Internals Reference:
2646 @rinternals{MarkEvent},
2647 @rinternals{Mark_engraver},
2648 @rinternals{RehearsalMark}.
2651 @node Special rhythmic concerns
2652 @subsection Special rhythmic concerns
2657 * Aligning to cadenzas::
2658 * Time administration::
2662 @unnumberedsubsubsec Grace notes
2666 @cindex appoggiatura
2667 @cindex acciaccatura
2672 Grace notes are ornaments that are written out. Grace notes
2673 are printed in a smaller font and take up no logical time
2676 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
2678 \grace { c16[ d16] } c2
2681 LilyPond also supports two special types of grace notes, the
2682 @emph{acciaccatura} -- an unmeasured grace note indicated by a slurred
2683 small note with a slashed stem -- and the @emph{appoggiatura}, which
2684 takes a fixed fraction of the main note and appears in small print
2687 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
2691 \acciaccatura { g16[ f] } e4
2694 The placement of grace notes is synchronized between different
2695 staves. In the following example, there are two sixteenth grace
2696 notes for every eighth grace note
2698 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
2700 \new Staff { e2 \grace { c16[ d e f] } e2 }
2701 \new Staff { c2 \grace { g8[ b] } c2 }
2705 @cindex grace notes, following
2707 @funindex \afterGrace
2708 @funindex afterGrace
2710 If you want to end a note with a grace, use the @code{\afterGrace}
2711 command. It takes two arguments: the main note, and the grace
2712 notes following the main note.
2714 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
2715 c1 \afterGrace d1 { c16[ d] } c1
2718 This will put the grace notes after a space lasting 3/4 of the
2719 length of the main note. The default fraction 3/4 can be changed by
2720 setting @code{afterGraceFraction}. The following example shows
2721 the results from setting the space at the default, at 15/16, and
2722 finally at 1/2 of the main note.
2724 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
2727 c1 \afterGrace d1 { c16[ d] } c1
2730 #(define afterGraceFraction (cons 15 16))
2731 c1 \afterGrace d1 { c16[ d] } c1
2734 #(define afterGraceFraction (cons 1 2))
2735 c1 \afterGrace d1 { c16[ d] } c1
2740 The space between the main note and the grace note may also be
2741 specified using spacers. The following example places the grace
2742 note after a space lasting 7/8 of the main note.
2744 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
2748 { s2 s4. \grace { c16[ d] } }
2754 @cindex tweaking grace notes
2755 @cindex grace notes, tweaking
2756 @cindex grace notes, changing layout settings
2758 A @code{\grace} music expression will introduce special
2759 typesetting settings, for example, to produce smaller type, and
2760 set directions. Hence, when introducing layout tweaks to
2761 override the special settings, they should be placed inside
2762 the grace expression. The overrides should also be reverted
2763 inside the grace expression. Here, the grace note's default stem
2764 direction is overridden and then reverted.
2766 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
2778 @cindex stem, with slash
2783 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
2784 {using-grace-note-slashes-with-normal-heads.ly}
2786 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
2787 {tweaking-grace-layout-within-music.ly}
2789 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
2790 {redefining-grace-note-global-defaults.ly}
2792 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
2793 {positioning-grace-notes-with-floating-space.ly}
2798 @rglos{grace notes},
2799 @rglos{acciaccatura},
2800 @rglos{appoggiatura}.
2806 @file{ly/@/grace@/-init@/.ly}.
2811 Internals Reference:
2812 @rinternals{GraceMusic},
2813 @rinternals{Grace_beam_engraver},
2814 @rinternals{Grace_engraver},
2815 @rinternals{Grace_spacing_engraver}.
2820 @cindex acciaccatura, multi-note
2821 @cindex multi-note acciaccatura
2822 @cindex grace-note synchronization
2824 A multi-note beamed @i{acciaccatura} is printed without a slash,
2825 and looks exactly the same as a multi-note beamed
2828 @c TODO Add link to LSR snippet to add slash when available
2830 Grace note synchronization can also lead to surprises. Staff
2831 notation, such as key signatures, bar lines, etc., are also
2832 synchronized. Take care when you mix staves with grace notes and
2833 staves without, for example,
2835 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
2837 \new Staff { e4 \bar "|:" \grace c16 d2. }
2838 \new Staff { c4 \bar "|:" d2. }
2843 This can be remedied by inserting grace skips of the corresponding
2844 durations in the other staves. For the above example
2846 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim]
2848 \new Staff { e4 \bar "|:" \grace c16 d2. }
2849 \new Staff { c4 \bar "|:" \grace s16 d2. }
2853 Grace sections should only be used within sequential music
2854 expressions. Nesting or juxtaposing grace sections is not
2855 supported, and might produce crashes or other errors.
2857 @node Aligning to cadenzas
2858 @unnumberedsubsubsec Aligning to cadenzas
2861 @cindex cadenza, aligning to
2862 @cindex aligning to cadenza
2864 In an orchestral context, cadenzas present a special problem: when
2865 constructing a score that includes a measured cadenza or other solo
2866 passage, all other instruments should skip just as many notes as the
2867 length of the cadenza, otherwise they will start too soon or too late.
2869 One solution to this problem is to use the functions
2870 @code{mmrest-of-length} and @code{skip-of-length}. These Scheme
2871 functions take a defined piece of music as an argument and generate a
2872 multi-measure rest or @code{\skip} exactly as long as the piece.
2874 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
2875 MyCadenza = \relative c' {
2886 #(ly:export (mmrest-of-length MyCadenza))
2888 #(ly:export (skip-of-length MyCadenza))
2903 @node Time administration
2904 @unnumberedsubsubsec Time administration
2906 @cindex time administration
2907 @cindex timing (within the score)
2908 @cindex music, unmetered
2909 @cindex unmetered music
2911 @funindex currentBarNumber
2912 @funindex measurePosition
2913 @funindex measureLength
2915 Time is administered by the @code{Timing_translator}, which by
2916 default is to be found in the @code{Score} context. An alias,
2917 @code{Timing}, is added to the context in which the
2918 @code{Timing_translator} is placed. To ensure that the
2919 @code{Timing} alias is available, you may need to explicitly
2920 instantiate the containing context (such as @code{Voice} or
2923 The following properties of @code{Timing} are used
2924 to keep track of timing within the score.
2927 @cindex measure number
2930 @item currentBarNumber
2931 The current measure number. For an example showing the
2932 use of this property see @ref{Bar numbers}.
2935 The length of the measures in the current time signature. For a
2936 4/4 time this is@tie{}1, and for 6/8 it is 3/4. Its value
2937 determines when bar lines are inserted and how automatic beams
2938 should be generated.
2940 @item measurePosition
2941 The point within the measure where we currently are. This
2942 quantity is reset by subtracting @code{measureLength} whenever
2943 @code{measureLength} is reached or exceeded. When that happens,
2944 @code{currentBarNumber} is incremented.
2947 If set to true, the above variables are updated for every time
2948 step. When set to false, the engraver stays in the current
2949 measure indefinitely.
2953 Timing can be changed by setting any of these variables
2954 explicitly. In the next example, the default 4/4 time
2955 signature is printed, but @code{measureLength} is set to 5/4.
2956 At 4/8 through the third measure, the @code{measurePosition} is
2957 advanced by 1/8 to 5/8, shortening that bar by 1/8.
2958 The next bar line then falls at 9/8 rather than 5/4.
2960 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
2961 \new Voice \relative c' {
2962 \set Timing.measureLength = #(ly:make-moment 5 4)
2966 \set Timing.measurePosition = #(ly:make-moment 5 8)
2973 As the example illustrates, @code{ly:make-moment n m} constructs a
2974 duration of n/m of a whole note. For example,
2975 @code{ly:make-moment 1 8} is an eighth note duration and
2976 @code{ly:make-moment 7 16} is the duration of seven sixteenths
2983 @ref{Unmetered music}.
2988 Internals Reference:
2989 @rinternals{Timing_translator},