1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
4 Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
6 When revising a translation, copy the HEAD committish of the
7 version that you are working on. See TRANSLATION for details.
15 Negative numbers are allowed:
16 > Are you sure? The following works well
18 > first-page-number = -2
20 > and prints page number -1 on the second page, for example.
23 In 5.2.1 the @refbugs (line 495 in spacing.itely on master) it
26 "@code{layout-set-staff-size} does not change the distance between
30 Could we add a sentence:
31 "Use instead the pair fontSize = #@var{N}
32 \override StaffSymbol #'staff-space = #(magstep
34 inside the Staff context to change the size of the font and the
36 staff lines accordingly."
38 Actually I found, that the @internalsref{StaffSymbol} at line 481
39 sends to an uncomplete
40 documentation. The property staff-space is not explained here. I
41 thought Y-extent might be of
42 help, but it is in turn explained by x-space which again is
43 missing from the list. Who has the
44 knowledge to fix this?
48 http://code.google.com/p/lilypond/issues/detail?id=68
54 @chapter Spacing issues
56 The global paper layout is determined by three factors: the page layout, the
57 line breaks, and the spacing. These all influence each other. The
58 choice of spacing determines how densely each system of music is set.
59 This influences where line breaks are chosen, and thus ultimately, how
60 many pages a piece of music takes.
62 Globally speaking, this procedure happens in four steps: first,
63 flexible distances (@q{springs}) are chosen, based on durations. All
64 possible line breaking combinations are tried, and a @q{badness} score
65 is calculated for each. Then the height of each possible system is
66 estimated. Finally, a page breaking and line breaking combination is chosen
67 so that neither the horizontal nor the vertical spacing is too cramped
70 Settings which influence layout may be placed in two blocks.
71 The @code{\paper @{...@}} block is placed outside any
72 @code{\score @{...@}} blocks and contains settings that
73 relate to the entire document. The @code{\layout @{...@}}
74 block is placed within a @code{\score @{...@}} block and
75 contains settings for that particular score. If you have
76 only one @code{\score @{...@}} block the two have the same
77 effect. In general the commands shown in this chapter can
85 * Horizontal spacing::
86 * Fitting music onto fewer pages::
91 @section Paper and pages
93 This section deals with the boundaries that define the area
94 within which music can be printed.
103 @subsection Paper size
108 Two functions are available for changing the paper size:
109 @code{set-default-paper-size} and @code{set-paper-size}.
110 @code{set-default-paper-size} must be placed in the toplevel
111 scope, and @code{set-paper-size} must be placed in a @code{\paper}
115 #(set-default-paper-size "a4")
120 #(set-paper-size "a4")
125 @code{set-default-paper-size} sets the size of all pages, whereas
126 @code{set-paper-size} only sets the size of the pages that the
127 @code{\paper} block applies to. For example, if the @code{\paper}
128 block is at the top of the file, then it will apply the paper size
129 to all pages. If the @code{\paper} block is inside a
130 @code{\book}, then the paper size will only apply to that book.
132 Common paper sizes are available, including @code{a4},
133 @code{letter}, @code{legal}, and @code{11x17} (also known as
134 tabloid). Many more paper sizes are supported by default. For
135 details, see @file{scm/@/paper@/.scm}, and search for the
136 definition of @code{paper-alist}.
138 @c TODO add a new appendix for paper sizes (auto-generated) -pm
140 @warning{The default paper size is @code{a4}.}
142 Extra sizes may be added by editing the definition of
143 @code{paper-alist} in the initialization file
144 @file{scm/@/paper@/.scm}, however they will be overridden on a
150 If the symbol @code{'landscape} is supplied as an argument to
151 @code{set-default-paper-size}, pages will be rotated by 90
152 degrees, and wider line widths will be set accordingly.
155 #(set-default-paper-size "a6" 'landscape)
158 Setting the paper size will adjust a number of @code{\paper}
159 variables, such as margins. To use a particular paper size with
160 altered @code{\paper} variables, set the paper size before setting
166 @file{scm/@/paper@/.scm}.
172 @node Page formatting
173 @subsection Page formatting
175 Margins, headers, and footers and other layout variables are
176 automatically set according to the paper size.
178 Default margin values are accessible in
179 @file{ly/@/paper@/-defaults@/-init@/.ly}. They apply to the default
180 paper size (a4, unless specified differently) and are scaled
181 accordingly for other paper sizes.
183 This section lists and describes a number of paper variables that
187 * Vertical dimensions::
188 * Horizontal dimensions::
189 * Other layout variables::
193 @node Vertical dimensions
194 @unnumberedsubsubsec Vertical dimensions
196 These variables are used to set different vertical dimensions on a
203 @item after-title-spacing
204 @funindex after-title-spacing
206 Specifies how to calculate the space between a title (or top-level markup)
207 and the system that follows it. This is an associative list with five
210 @item @var{space} -- the amount of stretchable space between the baseline
211 of a title and the center of the staff that follows it;
212 @item @var{padding} -- the minimum amount of whitespace that must be
213 present between a title and the staff that follows it;
214 @item @var{stretchability} -- the ease with which the stretchable
215 space increases when a page is stretched.
216 If this is zero, the distance to the next staff will not stretch at all;
217 @item @var{minimum-distance} -- the minimum distance to place between
218 the baseline of a title and the center of the staff that follows it. This differs
219 from @var{padding} in that the height of a staff has no effect on
220 the application of @var{minimum-distance} (whereas the height of a
221 staff is crucial for @var{padding}).
224 If a page has a ragged bottom, @var{space} is not stretched. In particular, the
225 resulting distance on such a page is the largest of
228 @item @var{minimum-distance}, and
229 @item @var{padding} plus the smallest distance necessary to eliminate overlap.
232 @item before-title-spacing
233 @funindex before-title-spacing
235 Specifies the spacing between a system and the title (or top-level markup) that
237 The distances are measured from the center of the last staff in the system to
238 the baseline of the title that follows it. See @var{after-title-spacing}.
240 @item between-scores-system-spacing
241 @funindex between-scores-system-spacing
243 Specifies the spacing between two systems if they are in different scores, but
244 there is no title between them. See @var{after-title-spacing}.
246 @item between-system-spacing
247 @funindex between-system-spacing
249 Specifies the spacing between the center of the bottom staff of one system
250 and the center of the top staff of the following system. See @var{after-title-spacing}.
252 @item between-title-spacing
253 @funindex between-title-spacing
255 Specifies the spacing between two titles (or top-level markups).
256 The distances are measured from the baseline of the first title to the baseline
257 of the second. See @var{after-title-spacing}.
260 @funindex bottom-margin
262 The margin between footer and bottom of the page. Default:
265 @item bottom-system-spacing
266 @funindex bottom-system-spacing
268 Specifies the spacing from the center of the last staff (or the
269 baseline of the last top-level markup) to the bottom of the
270 printable area (ie. the top of the bottom margin).
271 See @var{after-title-spacing}.
273 @item foot-separation
274 @funindex foot-separation
276 Distance between the bottom-most music system and the page
277 footer. Default: @code{4\mm}.
279 @item top-title-spacing
280 @funindex top-title-spacing
282 Specifies the spacing from the top of the printable area (ie.
283 the bottom of the top margin) to the baseline of the title.
284 See @var{after-title-spacing}.
286 @item top-system-spacing
287 @funindex top-system-spacing
289 Specifies the spacing from the top of the printable area (ie.
290 the bottom of the top margin) to the center of the first staff.
291 This only takes effect if there is no title at the top of the
292 page (in which case @var{top-title-spacing} is used instead).
293 See @var{after-title-spacing}.
296 @funindex paper-height
298 The height of the page. Default: the height of the current paper
299 size. For details, see @ref{Paper size}.
304 The margin between header and top of the page. Default:
312 The header and footer are created by the functions make-footer and
313 make-header, defined in \paper. The default implementations are in
314 ly/paper-defaults.ly and ly/titling-init.ly.
316 The page layout itself is done by two functions in the \paper block,
317 page-music-height and page-make-stencil. The former tells the
318 line-breaking algorithm how much space can be spent on a page, the
319 latter creates the actual page given the system to put on it.
321 You can define paper block values in Scheme. In that case mm, in, pt,
322 and cm are variables defined in paper-defaults.ly with values in
323 millimeters. That is why the value 2 cm must be multiplied in the
328 #(define bottom-margin (* 2 cm))
340 ragged-last-bottom = ##t
344 This second example centers page numbers at the bottom of every page.
348 print-page-number = ##t
349 print-first-page-number = ##t
350 oddHeaderMarkup = \markup \fill-line @{ " " @}
351 evenHeaderMarkup = \markup \fill-line @{ " " @}
352 oddFooterMarkup = \markup @{ \fill-line @{
353 \bold \fontsize #3 \on-the-fly #print-page-number-check-first
354 \fromproperty #'page:page-number-string @} @}
355 evenFooterMarkup = \markup @{ \fill-line @{
356 \bold \fontsize #3 \on-the-fly #print-page-number-check-first
357 \fromproperty #'page:page-number-string @} @}
361 You can also define these values in Scheme. In that case @code{mm},
362 @code{in}, @code{pt}, and @code{cm} are variables defined in
363 @file{paper@/-defaults@/-init@/.ly} with values in millimeters. That is why the
364 value must be multiplied in the example
368 #(define bottom-margin (* 2 cm))
372 The header and footer are created by the functions @code{make-footer}
373 and @code{make-header}, defined in @code{\paper}. The default
374 implementations are in @file{ly/@/paper@/-defaults@/-init@/.ly} and
375 @file{ly/@/titling@/-init@/.ly}.
377 The page layout itself is done by two functions in the
378 @code{\paper} block, @code{page-music-height} and
379 @code{page-make-stencil}. The former tells the line-breaking algorithm
380 how much space can be spent on a page, the latter creates the actual
381 page given the system to put on it.
386 @ref{Vertical spacing between systems}.
392 @node Horizontal dimensions
393 @unnumberedsubsubsec Horizontal dimensions
396 There are a few variables that determine the horizontal dimensions
401 @item horizontal-shift
402 @funindex horizontal-shift
404 The amount that all systems (including titles and system
405 separators) are shifted to the right. Default: @code{0.0}.
410 The level of indentation for the first system in a score.
411 Default: @code{15\mm}.
414 @funindex left-margin
416 The margin between the left edge of the page and the beginning of
417 each system. Default: @code{10\mm}.
420 @funindex right-margin
422 The margin between the right edge of the page and the beginning of
423 each system. Default: @code{10\mm}.
428 The width of music systems. Default: @code{paper-width} minus
429 @code{left-margin} and @code{right-margin}.
432 @funindex paper-width
434 The width of the page. Default: the width of the current paper
435 size. For details, see @ref{Paper size}.
438 @funindex short-indent
440 The level of indentation for all systems in a score besides the
441 first system. Default: @code{0}.
445 If some values are not set, defaults will be taken. Their exact
446 value is adjusted, depending on the paper size specified. Currently,
447 the following values are affected by this scaling:
450 @item @var{left-margin}
451 @item @var{right-margin}
452 @item @var{top-margin}
453 @item @var{bottom-margin}
454 @item @var{head-separation}
455 @item @var{foot-separation}
457 @item @var{short-indent}
460 The settings for @code{line-width}, @code{left-margin},
461 @code{right-margin} and @code{paper-width} depend on
462 each other, but they do not have to be specified
471 In this example, only @code{left-margin} is set. The value for
472 @code{right-margin} will remain default, @code{line-width} is
473 calculated automatically.
481 Here @code{left-margin} and @code{right-margin} will be set
482 to the same value. Therefore, @code{line-width} is subtracted
483 from @code{paper-width} and divided by two. That means systems
484 are centered on the page, if only @code{line-width} is
487 Some checks occur to ensure the values are set correctly.
488 If the values do not match or systems would run off the page,
489 a warning is printed and default values are set.
500 These checks can be avoided by setting @code{check-consistency}
508 check-consistency = ##f
512 @warning{If @code{paper-width} is manually set, @code{line-width},
513 @code{left-margin}, @code{indent}, and @code{short-indent} may
514 have to be adjusted as well.}
522 @node Other layout variables
523 @unnumberedsubsubsec Other layout variables
525 These variables can be used to adjust page layout in general.
529 @item auto-first-page-number
530 @funindex auto-first-page-number
532 The page breaking algorithm is affected by the first page number
533 being odd or even. If set to true, the page breaking algorithm
534 will decide whether to start with an odd or even number. This
535 will result in the first page number remaining as is or being
536 increased by one. Default: @code{##f}.
540 FIXME: this variable is used, but I don't know what it does. -pm
541 @item blank-after-score-page-force
542 @funindex blank-after-score-page-force
548 @item blank-last-page-force
549 @funindex blank-last-page-force
551 The penalty for ending the score on an odd-numbered page.
554 @item blank-page-force
555 @funindex blank-page-force
557 The penalty for having a blank page in the middle of a
558 score. This is not used by @code{ly:optimal-breaking} since it will
559 never consider blank pages in the middle of a score. Default:
562 @item check-consistency
563 @funindex check-consistency
565 If set to true, check whether @code{left-margin}, @code{right-margin} and
566 @code{line-width} fit each other. Also make sure that their combination
567 does not exceed the available @code{paper-width}. Default: @code{##t}.
569 @item first-page-number
570 @funindex first-page-number
572 The value of the page number on the first page. Default:
575 @item max-systems-per-page
576 The maximum number of systems that will be placed on a page. This
577 is currently supported only by the @code{ly:optimal-breaking} algorithm.
580 @item min-systems-per-page
581 The minimum number of systems that will be placed on a page. This
582 may cause pages to be overfilled if it is made too large. This is
583 currently supported only by the @code{ly:optimal-breaking} algorithm.
586 @item page-breaking-between-system-padding
587 @funindex page-breaking-between-system-padding
589 Tricks the page breaker into thinking that
590 @code{between-system-padding} is set to something different than
591 it really is. For example, if this variable is set to something
592 substantially larger than @code{between-system-padding}, then the
593 page-breaker will put fewer systems on each page. Default: unset.
598 The number of pages to be used for a score. Default: unset.
600 @item page-limit-inter-system-space
601 @funindex page-limit-inter-system-space
603 If set to true, limits space between systems on a page with a lot
604 of space left. Default: @code{##f}. For details, see
605 @ref{Vertical spacing between systems}.
607 @item page-limit-inter-system-space-factor
608 @funindex page-limit-inter-system-space-factor
610 The factor used by @code{page-limit-inter-system-space}. Default:
611 @code{1.4}. For details, see
612 @ref{Vertical spacing between systems}.
614 @item page-spacing-weight
615 @funindex page-spacing-weight
617 The relative importance of page (vertical) spacing and line
618 (horizontal) spacing. High values will make page spacing more
619 important. Default: @code{#10}.
621 @item print-all-headers
622 @funindex print-all-headers
624 If set to true, this will print all headers for each \score in the
625 output. Normally only the piece and opus header variables are
626 printed. Default: @code{##f}.
628 @item print-first-page-number
629 @funindex print-first-page-number
631 If set to true, a page number is printed on the first page.
634 @item print-page-number
635 @funindex print-page-number
637 If set to false, page numbers are not printed. Default:
641 @funindex ragged-bottom
643 If set to true, systems will not spread vertically across the
644 page. This does not affect the last page. Default: @code{##f}.
646 This should be set to true for pieces that have only two or three
647 systems per page, for example orchestral scores.
650 @funindex ragged-last
652 If set to true, the last system in the score will not fill the
653 line width. Instead the last system ends at its natural
654 horizontal length. Default: @code{##f}.
656 @item ragged-last-bottom
657 @funindex ragged-last-bottom
659 If set to false, systems will spread vertically across the last
660 page. Default: @code{##t}.
662 Pieces that amply fill two pages or more should have this set to
665 It also affects the last page of book parts, ie parts of a book created
666 with @code{\bookpart} blocks.
669 @funindex ragged-right
671 If set to true, systems will not fill the line width. Instead,
672 systems end at their natural horizontal length. Default:
675 If the score has only one system, the default value is @code{##t}.
677 @item system-separator-markup
678 @funindex system-separator-markup
680 A markup object that is inserted between systems. This is often
681 used for orchestral scores. Default: unset.
683 The markup command @code{\slashSeparator} is provided as a sensible
686 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
687 #(set-default-paper-size "a6" 'landscape)
690 \relative { c1 \break c1 }
693 system-separator-markup = \slashSeparator
699 @funindex system-count
701 The number of systems to be used for a score.
704 @item systems-per-page
705 @funindex systems-per-page
707 The number of systems that should be placed on each page.
708 This is currently supported only by the @code{ly:optimal-breaking} algorithm.
721 The default page header puts the page number and the @code{instrument}
722 field from the @code{\header} block on a line.
724 The titles (from the @code{\header@{@}} section) are treated as a
725 system, so @code{ragged-bottom} and @code{ragged-last-bottom} will
726 add space between the titles and the first system of the score.
730 @section Music layout
733 * Setting the staff size::
738 @node Setting the staff size
739 @subsection Setting the staff size
741 @cindex font size, setting
742 @cindex staff size, setting
743 @funindex layout file
745 The default @strong{staff size} is set to 20 points.
746 This may be changed in two ways:
748 To set the staff size globally for all scores in a file (or
749 in a @code{book} block, to be precise), use @code{set-global-staff-size}.
752 #(set-global-staff-size 14)
756 This sets the global default size to 14pt staff height and scales all
759 To set the staff size individually for each score, use
764 #(layout-set-staff-size 15)
769 The Feta font provides musical symbols at eight different
770 sizes. Each font is tuned for a different staff size: at a smaller size
771 the font becomes heavier, to match the relatively heavier staff lines.
772 The recommended font sizes are listed in the following table:
775 @multitable @columnfractions .15 .2 .22 .2
778 @tab @b{staff height (pt)}
779 @tab @b{staff height (mm)}
821 @c modern rental material?
826 These fonts are available in any sizes. The context property
827 @code{fontSize} and the layout property @code{staff-space} (in
828 @rinternals{StaffSymbol}) can be used to tune the size for individual
829 staves. The sizes of individual staves are relative to the global size.
834 @ref{Selecting notation font size}.
842 @code{layout-set-staff-size} does not change the distance between the
847 @subsection Score layout
851 While @code{\paper} contains settings that relate to the page formatting
852 of the whole document, @code{\layout} contains settings for score-specific
859 \override VerticalAxisGroup #'minimum-Y-extent = #'(-6 . 6)
862 \override TextScript #'padding = #1.0
863 \override Glissando #'thickness = #3
871 @ref{Changing context default settings}.
883 * Optimal page breaking::
884 * Optimal page turning::
885 * Minimal page breaking::
887 * Using an extra voice for breaks::
892 @subsection Line breaking
895 @cindex breaking lines
897 Line breaks are normally determined automatically. They are chosen
898 so that lines look neither cramped nor loose, and consecutive
899 lines have similar density. Occasionally you might want to
900 override the automatic breaks; you can do this by specifying
901 @code{\break}. This will force a line break at this point. However,
902 line breaks can only occur at the end of @q{complete} bars, i.e.,
903 where there are no notes or tuplets left @q{hanging} over the bar
904 line. If you want to have a line break where there is no bar line,
905 you can force an invisible bar line by entering @code{\bar ""},
906 although again there must be no notes left hanging over in any of
907 the staves at this point, or it will be ignored.
909 The opposite command, @code{\noBreak}, forbids a line break at the
910 bar line where it is inserted.
912 The most basic settings influencing line spacing are @code{indent}
913 and @code{line-width}. They are set in the @code{\layout} block.
914 They control the indentation of the first line of music, and the
915 lengths of the lines.
917 If @code{ragged-right} is set to true in the @code{\layout} block,
918 then systems end at their natural horizontal length, instead of
919 being spread horizontally to fill the whole line. This is useful
920 for short fragments, and for checking how tight the natural
923 @c TODO Check and add para on default for ragged-right
925 The option @code{ragged-last} is similar to @code{ragged-right},
926 but affects only the last line of the piece.
938 @cindex regular line breaks
939 @cindex four bar music.
941 For line breaks at regular intervals use @code{\break} separated by
942 skips and repeated with @code{\repeat}. For example, this would
943 cause the following 28 measures (assuming 4/4 time) to be broken
944 every 4 measures, and only there:
947 << \repeat unfold 7 @{
948 s1 \noBreak s1 \noBreak
949 s1 \noBreak s1 \break @}
950 @emph{the real music}
955 A linebreaking configuration can be saved as a @code{.ly} file
956 automatically. This allows vertical alignments to be stretched to
957 fit pages in a second formatting run. This is fairly new and
958 complicated. More details are available in
972 @rinternals{LineBreakEvent}.
980 Line breaks can only occur if there is a @q{proper} bar line. A note
981 which is hanging over a bar line is not proper, such as
983 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,relative=2,fragment,verbatim]
984 c4 c2 << c2 {s4 \break } >> % this does nothing
985 c2 c4 | % a break here would work
986 c4 c2 c4 ~ \break % as does this break
990 This can be avoided by removing the @code{Forbid_line_break_engraver}.
991 Note that manually forced line breaks have to be added in parallel
994 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
996 \remove Forbid_line_break_engraver
998 c4 c2 << c2 {s4 \break } >> % now the break is allowed
1003 Similarly, line breaks are normally forbidden when beams cross bar
1004 lines. This behavior can be changed by setting
1005 @code{\override Beam #'breakable = ##t}.
1009 @subsection Page breaking
1011 The default page breaking may be overridden by inserting
1012 @code{\pageBreak} or @code{\noPageBreak} commands. These commands are
1013 analogous to @code{\break} and @code{\noBreak}. They should be
1014 inserted at a bar line. These commands force and forbid a page-break
1015 from happening. Of course, the @code{\pageBreak} command also forces
1018 The @code{\pageBreak} and @code{\noPageBreak} commands may also be
1019 inserted at top-level, between scores and top-level markups.
1021 There are also analogous settings to @code{ragged-right} and
1022 @code{ragged-last} which have the same effect on vertical spacing:
1023 @code{ragged-bottom} and @code{ragged-last-bottom}. If set to
1024 @code{##t} the systems on all pages or just the last page
1025 respectively will not be justified vertically.
1027 For more details see @ref{Vertical spacing}.
1029 Page breaks are computed by the @code{page-breaking} function. LilyPond
1030 provides three algorithms for computing page breaks,
1031 @code{ly:optimal-breaking}, @code{ly:page-turn-breaking} and
1032 @code{ly:minimal-breaking}. The default is @code{ly:optimal-breaking},
1033 but the value can be changed in the @code{\paper} block:
1037 #(define page-breaking ly:page-turn-breaking)
1043 When a book has many scores and pages, the page breaking problem may be
1044 difficult to solve, requiring large processing time and memory. To ease
1045 the page breaking process, @code{\bookpart} blocks are used to divide
1046 the book into several parts: the page breaking occurs separately on each
1047 part. Different page breaking functions may also be used in different
1053 subtitle = "Preface"
1056 %% In a part consisting mostly of text,
1057 %% ly:minimal-breaking may be prefered
1058 #(define page-breaking ly:minimal-breaking)
1060 \markup @{ @dots{} @}
1064 %% In this part, consisting of music, the default optimal
1065 %% page breaking function is used.
1067 subtitle = "First movement"
1069 \score @{ @dots{} @}
1076 @funindex \pageBreak
1078 @funindex \noPageBreak
1079 @code{\noPageBreak}.
1088 @node Optimal page breaking
1089 @subsection Optimal page breaking
1091 @funindex ly:optimal-breaking
1093 The @code{ly:optimal-breaking} function is LilyPond's default method of
1094 determining page breaks. It attempts to find a page breaking that minimizes
1095 cramping and stretching, both horizontally and vertically. Unlike
1096 @code{ly:page-turn-breaking}, it has no concept of page turns.
1104 @node Optimal page turning
1105 @subsection Optimal page turning
1107 @funindex ly:page-turn-breaking
1109 Often it is necessary to find a page breaking configuration so that there is
1110 a rest at the end of every second page. This way, the musician can turn the
1111 page without having to miss notes. The @code{ly:page-turn-breaking} function
1112 attempts to find a page breaking minimizing cramping and stretching, but with
1113 the additional restriction that it is only allowed to introduce page turns
1114 in specified places.
1116 There are two steps to using this page breaking function. First, you
1117 must enable it in the @code{\paper} block, as explained in @ref{Page
1118 breaking}. Then you must tell the function where you would like to allow
1121 There are two ways to achieve the second step. First, you can specify each
1122 potential page turn manually, by inserting @code{\allowPageTurn} into your
1123 input file at the appropriate places.
1125 If this is too tedious, you can add a @code{Page_turn_engraver} to a Staff or
1126 Voice context. The @code{Page_turn_engraver} will scan the context for
1127 sections without notes (note that it does not scan for rests; it scans for
1128 the absence of notes. This is so that single-staff polyphony with rests in one
1129 of the parts does not throw off the @code{Page_turn_engraver}). When it finds
1130 a sufficiently long section without notes, the @code{Page_turn_engraver} will
1131 insert an @code{\allowPageTurn} at the final bar line in that section, unless
1132 there is a @q{special} bar line (such as a double bar), in which case the
1133 @code{\allowPageTurn} will be inserted at the final @q{special} bar line in
1136 @funindex minimumPageTurnLength
1137 The @code{Page_turn_engraver} reads the context property
1138 @code{minimumPageTurnLength} to determine how long a note-free section must
1139 be before a page turn is considered. The default value for
1140 @code{minimumPageTurnLength} is @code{#(ly:make-moment 1 1)}. If you want
1141 to disable page turns, you can set it to something very large.
1144 \new Staff \with @{ \consists "Page_turn_engraver" @}
1147 R1 | % a page turn will be allowed here
1149 \set Staff.minimumPageTurnLength = #(ly:make-moment 5 2)
1150 R1 | % a page turn will not be allowed here
1152 R1*2 | % a page turn will be allowed here
1157 @funindex minimumRepeatLengthForPageTurn
1158 The @code{Page_turn_engraver} detects volta repeats. It will only allow a page
1159 turn during the repeat if there is enough time at the beginning and end of the
1160 repeat to turn the page back. The @code{Page_turn_engraver} can also disable
1161 page turns if the repeat is very short. If you set the context property
1162 @code{minimumRepeatLengthForPageTurn} then the @code{Page_turn_engraver} will
1163 only allow turns in repeats whose duration is longer than this value.
1165 The page turning commands, @code{\pageTurn}, @code{\noPageTurn} and
1166 @code{\allowPageTurn}, may also be used at top-level, between scores and
1173 @funindex \noPageTurn
1175 @funindex \allowPageTurn
1176 @code{\allowPageTurn}.
1187 There should only be one @code{Page_turn_engraver} in a score. If there is more
1188 than one, they will interfere with each other.
1191 @node Minimal page breaking
1192 @subsection Minimal page breaking
1194 @funindex ly:minimal-breaking
1196 The @code{ly:minimal-breaking} function performs minimal computations to
1197 calculate the page breaking: it fills a page with as many systems as
1198 possible before moving to the next one. Thus, it may be preferred for
1199 scores with many pages, where the other page breaking functions could be
1200 too slow or memory demanding, or a lot of texts. It is enabled using:
1204 #(define page-breaking ly:minimal-breaking)
1214 @node Explicit breaks
1215 @subsection Explicit breaks
1217 Lily sometimes rejects explicit @code{\break} and @code{\pageBreak}
1218 commands. There are two commands to override this behavior:
1221 \override NonMusicalPaperColumn #'line-break-permission = ##f
1222 \override NonMusicalPaperColumn #'page-break-permission = ##f
1225 When @code{line-break-permission} is overridden to false, Lily will insert
1226 line breaks at explicit @code{\break} commands and nowhere else. When
1227 @code{page-break-permission} is overridden to false, Lily will insert
1228 page breaks at explicit @code{\pageBreak} commands and nowhere else.
1230 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
1239 \override NonMusicalPaperColumn #'line-break-permission = ##f
1240 \override NonMusicalPaperColumn #'page-break-permission = ##f
1243 \repeat unfold 2 { c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 } \break
1244 \repeat unfold 4 { c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 } \break
1245 \repeat unfold 6 { c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 } \break
1246 \repeat unfold 8 { c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 } \pageBreak
1247 \repeat unfold 8 { c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 } \break
1248 \repeat unfold 6 { c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 } \break
1249 \repeat unfold 4 { c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 } \break
1250 \repeat unfold 2 { c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 }
1262 @node Using an extra voice for breaks
1263 @subsection Using an extra voice for breaks
1265 Line- and page-breaking information usually appears within note entry directly.
1270 \repeat unfold 2 @{ c'4 c'4 c'4 c'4 @}
1272 \repeat unfold 3 @{ c'4 c'4 c'4 c'4 @}
1277 This makes @code{\break} and @code{\pageBreak} commands easy to enter but mixes
1278 music entry with information that specifies how music should lay out
1279 on the page. You can keep music entry and line- and page-breaking
1280 information in two separate places by introducing an extra voice to
1281 contain the breaks. This extra voice
1282 contains only skips together with @code{\break}, @code{pageBreak} and other
1283 breaking layout information.
1285 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
1295 \repeat unfold 2 { c'4 c'4 c'4 c'4 }
1296 \repeat unfold 3 { c'4 c'4 c'4 c'4 }
1297 \repeat unfold 6 { c'4 c'4 c'4 c'4 }
1298 \repeat unfold 5 { c'4 c'4 c'4 c'4 }
1304 This pattern becomes especially helpful when overriding
1305 @code{line-break-system-details} and the other useful but long properties of
1306 @code{NonMusicalPaperColumnGrob}, as explained in @ref{Vertical spacing}.
1308 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
1313 \overrideProperty "Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1314 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 0))
1317 \overrideProperty "Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1318 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 35))
1321 \overrideProperty "Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1322 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 70))
1325 \overrideProperty "Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1326 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 105))
1330 \repeat unfold 2 { c'4 c'4 c'4 c'4 }
1331 \repeat unfold 3 { c'4 c'4 c'4 c'4 }
1332 \repeat unfold 6 { c'4 c'4 c'4 c'4 }
1333 \repeat unfold 5 { c'4 c'4 c'4 c'4 }
1342 @ref{Vertical spacing}.
1348 @node Vertical spacing
1349 @section Vertical spacing
1351 @cindex vertical spacing
1352 @cindex spacing, vertical
1354 Vertical spacing is controlled by three things: the amount of
1355 space available (i.e., paper size and margins), the amount of
1356 space between systems, and the amount of space between
1357 staves inside a system.
1360 * Vertical spacing inside a system::
1361 * Vertical spacing between systems::
1362 * Explicit staff and system positioning::
1363 * Vertical collision avoidance::
1367 @node Vertical spacing inside a system
1368 @subsection Vertical spacing inside a system
1370 @cindex distance between staves
1371 @cindex staff distance
1372 @cindex space between staves
1373 @cindex space inside systems
1375 The height of each system is determined automatically. To prevent
1376 staves from bumping into each other, some minimum distances are set.
1377 By changing these, you can put staves closer together. This
1378 reduces the amount of space each system requires, and may result
1379 in having more systems per page.
1381 Normally staves are stacked vertically. To make staves maintain a
1382 distance, their vertical size is padded. This is done with the
1383 property @code{minimum-Y-extent}. When applied to a
1384 @rinternals{VerticalAxisGroup}, it controls the size of a horizontal
1385 line, such as a staff or a line of lyrics. @code{minimum-Y-extent}
1386 takes a pair of numbers, so
1387 if you want to make it smaller than its default @code{#'(-4 . 4)}
1391 \override Staff.VerticalAxisGroup #'minimum-Y-extent = #'(-3 . 3)
1395 This sets the vertical size of the current staff to 3 staff spaces on
1396 either side of the center staff line. The value @code{(-3 . 3)} is
1397 interpreted as an interval, where the center line is the 0, so the
1398 first number is generally negative. The numbers need not match;
1399 for example, the staff can be made larger at the bottom by setting
1400 it to @code{(-6 . 4)}.
1403 FIXME: update this section
1405 After page breaks are determined, the vertical spacing within each
1406 system is reevaluated in order to fill the page more evenly; if a page
1407 has space left over, systems are stretched in order to fill that space.
1408 The amount of stretching can be configured though the @code{max-stretch}
1409 property of the @rinternals{VerticalAlignment} grob. By default,
1410 @code{max-stretch} is set to zero, disabling stretching. To enable
1411 stretching, a sane value for @code{max-stretch}
1412 is @code{ly:align-interface::calc-max-stretch}.
1414 In some situations, you may want to stretch most of a system while
1415 leaving some parts fixed. For example, if a piano part occurs in the
1416 middle of an orchestral score, you may want to leave the piano staves
1417 close to each other while stretching the rest of the score. The
1418 @code{keep-fixed-while-stretching} property of
1419 @rinternals{VerticalAxisGroup} can be used to achieve this. When set
1420 to @code{##t}, this property keeps its staff (or line of lyrics) from
1421 moving relative to the one directly above it. In the example above,
1422 you would override @code{keep-fixed-while-stretching} to @code{##t} in
1423 the second piano staff:
1426 #(set-default-paper-size "a6")
1427 #(set-global-staff-size 14.0)
1431 ragged-last-bottom = ##f
1436 \override VerticalAlignment #'max-stretch = #ly:align-interface::calc-max-stretch
1443 \new Staff {c' d' e' f'}
1444 \new Staff {c' d' e' f'}
1445 \new Staff {c' d' e' f'}
1450 \new Staff {c' d' e' f'}
1452 \override VerticalAxisGroup #'keep-fixed-while-stretching = ##t
1459 \new Staff {c' d' e' f'}
1460 \new Staff {c' d' e' f'}
1468 Vertical alignment of staves is handled by the
1469 @code{VerticalAlignment} object. The context parameters
1470 specifying the vertical extent are described in connection with
1471 the @code{Axis_group_engraver}.
1478 @c @lsr{spacing,page-spacing.ly},
1479 @c @lsr{spacing,alignment-vertical-spacing.ly}.
1481 Internals Reference:
1482 @rinternals{VerticalAlignment},
1483 @rinternals{Axis_group_engraver}.
1486 @node Vertical spacing between systems
1487 @subsection Vertical spacing between systems
1489 Space between systems are controlled by four @code{\paper} variables,
1493 between-system-space = 1.5\cm
1494 between-system-padding = #1
1496 ragged-last-bottom=##f
1500 When only a couple of flat systems are placed on a page, the resulting
1501 vertical spacing may be non-elegant: one system at the top of the page,
1502 and the other at the bottom, with a huge gap between them. To avoid this
1503 situation, the space added between the systems can be limited. This
1504 feature is activated by setting to @code{#t} the
1505 @code{page-limit-inter-system-space} variable in the @code{\paper}
1506 block. The paper variable @code{page-limit-inter-system-space-factor}
1507 determines how much the space can be increased: for instance, the value
1508 @code{1.3} means that the space can be 30% larger than what it would be
1509 on a ragged-bottom page.
1511 In the following example, if the inter system space were not limited,
1512 the second system of page 1 would be placed at the page bottom. By
1513 activating the space limitation, the second system is placed closer to
1514 the first one. By setting @code{page-limit-inter-system-space-factor} to
1515 @code{1}, the spacing would the same as on a ragged-bottom page, like
1519 #(set-default-paper-size "a6")
1522 page-limit-inter-system-space = ##t
1523 page-limit-inter-system-space-factor = 1.3
1525 oddFooterMarkup = \markup "page bottom"
1526 evenFooterMarkup = \markup "page bottom"
1527 oddHeaderMarkup = \markup \fill-line {
1528 "page top" \fromproperty #'page:page-number-string }
1529 evenHeaderMarkup = \markup \fill-line {
1530 "page top" \fromproperty #'page:page-number-string }
1532 \new Staff << \repeat unfold 4 { g'4 g' g' g' \break }
1533 { s1*2 \pageBreak } >>
1543 @node Explicit staff and system positioning
1544 @subsection Explicit staff and system positioning
1546 One way to understand the @code{VerticalAxisGroup} and @code{\paper}
1547 settings explained in the previous two sections is as a collection of
1548 different settings that primarily concern the amount of vertical padding
1549 different staves and systems running down the page.
1551 It is possible to approach vertical spacing in a different way using
1552 @code{NonMusicalPaperColumn #'line-break-system-details}. Where
1553 @code{VerticalAxisGroup} and @code{\paper} settings specify vertical padding,
1554 @code{NonMusicalPaperColumn #'line-break-system-details} specifies exact
1555 vertical positions on the page.
1557 @code{NonMusicalPaperColumn #'line-break-system-details} accepts an associative
1558 list of five different settings:
1561 @item @code{X-offset}
1562 @item @code{Y-offset}
1563 @item @code{alignment-offsets}
1564 @item @code{alignment-extra-space}
1565 @item @code{fixed-alignment-extra-space}
1568 Grob overrides, including the overrides for @code{NonMusicalPaperColumn}
1569 below, can occur in any of three different places in an input file:
1572 @item in the middle of note entry directly
1573 @item in a @code{\context} block
1574 @item in the @code{\with} block
1577 When we override @code{NonMusicalPaperColumn}, we use the usual
1578 @code{\override} command in @code{\context} blocks and in the
1579 @code{\with} block. On the other hand, when we override
1580 @code{NonMusicalPaperColumn} in the middle of note entry,
1581 use the special @code{\overrideProperty} command. Here are some
1582 example @code{NonMusicalPaperColumn} overrides with the special
1583 @code{\overrideProperty} command:
1586 \overrideProperty NonMusicalPaperColumn
1587 #'line-break-system-details #'((X-offset . 20))
1589 \overrideProperty NonMusicalPaperColumn
1590 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 40))
1592 \overrideProperty NonMusicalPaperColumn
1593 #'line-break-system-details #'((X-offset . 20) (Y-offset . 40))
1595 \overrideProperty NonMusicalPaperColumn
1596 #'line-break-system-details #'((alignment-offsets . (0 -15)))
1598 \overrideProperty NonMusicalPaperColumn
1599 #'line-break-system-details #'((X-offset . 20) (Y-offset . 40)
1600 (alignment-offsets . (0 -15)))
1603 To understand how each of these different settings work, we begin
1604 by looking at an example that includes no overrides at all.
1606 @c \book { } is required in these examples to ensure the spacing
1607 @c overrides can be seen between systems. -np
1610 \header { tagline = ##f }
1611 \paper { left-margin = 0\mm }
1621 \new Voice { \repeat unfold 15 { c'4 c' c' c' } }
1624 \repeat unfold 15 { d'4 d' d' d' }
1631 This score isolates line- and page-breaking information in a dedicated
1632 voice. This technique of creating a breaks voice will help keep layout
1633 separate from music entry as our example becomes more complicated.
1634 See @ref{Using an extra voice for breaks}.
1636 Explicit @code{\breaks} evenly divide the music into six measures per
1637 line. Vertical spacing results from LilyPond's defaults. To set
1638 the vertical startpoint of each system explicitly, we can set
1639 the @code{Y-offset} pair in the @code{line-break-system-details}
1640 attribute of the @code{NonMusicalPaperColumn} grob:
1643 \header { tagline = ##f }
1644 \paper { left-margin = 0\mm }
1650 \overrideProperty #"Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1651 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 0))
1653 \overrideProperty #"Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1654 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 40))
1656 \overrideProperty #"Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1657 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 80))
1660 \new Voice { \repeat unfold 15 { c'4 c' c' c' } }
1663 \repeat unfold 15 { d'4 d' d' d' }
1670 Note that @code{line-break-system-details} takes an associative list of
1671 potentially many values, but that we set only one value here. Note,
1672 too, that the @code{Y-offset} property here determines the exact vertical
1673 position on the page at which each new system will render.
1675 Now that we have set the vertical startpoint of each system
1676 explicitly, we can also set the vertical startpoint of each staff
1677 within each system manually. We do this using the @code{alignment-offsets}
1678 subproperty of @code{line-break-system-details}.
1681 \header { tagline = ##f }
1682 \paper { left-margin = 0\mm }
1688 \overrideProperty #"Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1689 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 20)
1690 (alignment-offsets . (0 -15)))
1692 \overrideProperty #"Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1693 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 60)
1694 (alignment-offsets . (0 -15)))
1696 \overrideProperty #"Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1697 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 100)
1698 (alignment-offsets . (0 -15)))
1701 \new Voice { \repeat unfold 15 { c'4 c' c' c' } }
1704 \repeat unfold 15 { d'4 d' d' d' }
1711 Note that here we assign two different values to the
1712 @code{line-break-system-details} attribute of the
1713 @code{NonMusicalPaperColumn} grob. Though the
1714 @code{line-break-system-details} attribute alist accepts many
1715 additional spacing parameters (including, for example, a corresponding
1716 @code{X-offset} pair), we need only set the @code{Y-offset} and
1717 @code{alignment-offsets} pairs to control the vertical startpoint of
1718 every system and every staff. Finally, note that @code{alignment-offsets}
1719 specifies the vertical positioning of staves but not of staff groups.
1722 \header { tagline = ##f }
1723 \paper { left-margin = 0\mm }
1729 \overrideProperty #"Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1730 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 0)
1731 (alignment-offsets . (0 -30 -40)))
1733 \overrideProperty #"Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1734 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 60)
1735 (alignment-offsets . (0 -10 -20)))
1737 \overrideProperty #"Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn"
1738 #'line-break-system-details #'((Y-offset . 100)
1739 (alignment-offsets . (0 -10 -40)))
1742 \new Voice { \repeat unfold 15 { c'4 c' c' c' } }
1745 \new Staff { \repeat unfold 15 { d'4 d' d' d' } }
1746 \new Staff { \repeat unfold 15 { e'4 e' e' e' } }
1753 Some points to consider:
1756 @item When using @code{alignment-offsets}, lyrics count as a staff.
1758 @item The units of the numbers passed to @code{X-offset},
1759 @code{Y-offset} and @code{alignment-offsets} are interpreted as multiples
1760 of the distance between adjacent staff lines. Positive values move staves
1761 and lyrics up, negative values move staves and lyrics down.
1763 @item Because the @code{NonMusicalPaperColumn #'line-break-system-details}
1764 settings given here allow the positioning of staves and systems anywhere
1765 on the page, it is possible to violate paper or margin boundaries or even
1766 to print staves or systems on top of one another. Reasonable values
1767 passed to these different settings will avoid this.
1776 @node Vertical collision avoidance
1777 @subsection Vertical collision avoidance
1779 @funindex outside-staff-priority
1780 @funindex outside-staff-padding
1781 @funindex outside-staff-horizontal-padding
1783 Intuitively, there are some objects in musical notation that belong
1784 to the staff and there are other objects that should be placed outside
1785 the staff. Objects belonging outside the staff include things such as
1786 rehearsal marks, text and dynamic markings (from now on, these will
1787 be called outside-staff objects). LilyPond's rule for the
1788 vertical placement of outside-staff objects is to place them as close
1789 to the staff as possible but not so close that they collide with
1792 LilyPond uses the @code{outside-staff-priority} property to determine
1793 whether a grob is an outside-staff object: if @code{outside-staff-priority}
1794 is a number, the grob is an outside-staff object. In addition,
1795 @code{outside-staff-priority} tells LilyPond in which order the objects
1798 First, LilyPond places all the objects that do not belong outside
1799 the staff. Then it sorts the outside-staff objects according to their
1800 @code{outside-staff-priority} (in increasing order). One by one, LilyPond
1801 takes the outside-staff objects and places them so that they do
1802 not collide with any objects that have already been placed. That
1803 is, if two outside-staff grobs are competing for the same space, the one
1804 with the lower @code{outside-staff-priority} will be placed closer to
1807 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,relative=2,fragment,verbatim]
1810 \once \override TextScript #'outside-staff-priority = #1
1811 c4_"Text"\pp % this time the text will be closer to the staff
1813 % by setting outside-staff-priority to a non-number,
1814 % we disable the automatic collision avoidance
1815 \once \override TextScript #'outside-staff-priority = ##f
1816 \once \override DynamicLineSpanner #'outside-staff-priority = ##f
1817 c4_"Text"\pp % now they will collide
1820 The vertical padding between an outside-staff object and the
1821 previously-positioned grobs can be controlled with
1822 @code{outside-staff-padding}.
1824 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,relative=2,fragment,verbatim]
1825 \once \override TextScript #'outside-staff-padding = #0
1826 a'^"This text is placed very close to the note"
1827 \once \override TextScript #'outside-staff-padding = #3
1828 c^"This text is padded away from the previous text"
1829 c^"This text is placed close to the previous text"
1833 By default, outside-staff objects are placed only to avoid
1834 a horizontal collision with previously-positioned grobs. This
1835 can lead to situations in which objects are placed very close to each
1836 other horizontally. The vertical spacing between staffs can
1837 also be set so that outside staff objects are interleaved.
1838 Setting @code{outside-staff-horizontal-padding}
1839 causes an object to be offset vertically so that such a situation
1842 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,relative=2,fragment,verbatim]
1843 % the markup is too close to the following note
1847 % setting outside-staff-horizontal-padding fixes this
1849 \once \override TextScript #'outside-staff-horizontal-padding = #1
1861 @node Horizontal spacing
1862 @section Horizontal spacing
1864 @cindex horizontal spacing
1865 @cindex spacing, horizontal
1868 * Horizontal spacing overview::
1869 * New spacing area::
1870 * Changing horizontal spacing::
1872 * Proportional notation::
1876 @node Horizontal spacing overview
1877 @subsection Horizontal spacing overview
1879 The spacing engine translates differences in durations into stretchable
1880 distances (@q{springs}) of differing lengths. Longer durations get
1881 more space, shorter durations get less. The shortest durations get a
1882 fixed amount of space (which is controlled by
1883 @code{shortest-duration-space} in the @rinternals{SpacingSpanner}
1884 object). The longer the duration, the more space it gets: doubling a
1885 duration adds a fixed amount (this amount is controlled by
1886 @code{spacing-increment}) of space to the note.
1888 For example, the following piece contains lots of half, quarter, and
1889 8th notes; the eighth note is followed by 1 note head width (NHW).
1890 The quarter note is followed by 2 NHW, the half by 3 NHW, etc.
1892 @lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim,relative=1]
1893 c2 c4. c8 c4. c8 c4. c8 c8
1897 Normally, @code{spacing-increment} is set to 1.2 staff space, which is
1898 approximately the width of a note head, and
1899 @code{shortest-duration-space} is set to 2.0, meaning that the
1900 shortest note gets 2.4 staff space (2.0 times the
1901 @code{spacing-increment}) of horizontal space. This space is counted
1902 from the left edge of the symbol, so the shortest notes are generally
1903 followed by one NHW of space.
1905 If one would follow the above procedure exactly, then adding a single
1906 32nd note to a score that uses 8th and 16th notes, would widen up the
1907 entire score a lot. The shortest note is no longer a 16th, but a 32nd,
1908 thus adding 1 NHW to every note. To prevent this, the shortest
1909 duration for spacing is not the shortest note in the score, but rather
1910 the one which occurs most frequently.
1913 The most common shortest duration is determined as follows: in every
1914 measure, the shortest duration is determined. The most common shortest
1915 duration is taken as the basis for the spacing, with the stipulation
1916 that this shortest duration should always be equal to or shorter than
1917 an 8th note. The shortest duration is printed when you run
1918 @code{lilypond} with the @code{--verbose} option.
1920 These durations may also be customized. If you set the
1921 @code{common-shortest-duration} in @rinternals{SpacingSpanner}, then
1922 this sets the base duration for spacing. The maximum duration for this
1923 base (normally an 8th), is set through @code{base-shortest-duration}.
1925 @funindex common-shortest-duration
1926 @funindex base-shortest-duration
1927 @funindex stem-spacing-correction
1930 Notes that are even shorter than the common shortest note are
1931 followed by a space that is proportional to their duration relative to
1932 the common shortest note. So if we were to add only a few 16th notes
1933 to the example above, they would be followed by half a NHW:
1935 @lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim,relative=2]
1936 c2 c4. c8 c4. c16[ c] c4. c8 c8 c8 c4 c4 c4
1942 @c (see @rlearning{Engraving}),
1943 it was explained that stem
1944 directions influence spacing. This is controlled with the
1945 @code{stem-spacing-correction} property in the
1946 @rinternals{NoteSpacing}, object. These are generated for every
1947 @rinternals{Voice} context. The @code{StaffSpacing} object
1948 (generated in @rinternals{Staff} context) contains the same property
1949 for controlling the stem/bar line spacing. The following example shows
1950 these corrections, once with default settings, and once with
1951 exaggerated corrections:
1953 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
1957 \override Staff.NoteSpacing #'stem-spacing-correction = #1.5
1958 \override Staff.StaffSpacing #'stem-spacing-correction = #1.5
1964 Proportional notation is supported; see @ref{Proportional notation}.
1971 Internals Reference:
1972 @rinternals{SpacingSpanner},
1973 @rinternals{NoteSpacing},
1974 @rinternals{StaffSpacing},
1975 @rinternals{NonMusicalPaperColumn}.
1980 There is no convenient mechanism to manually override spacing. The
1981 following work-around may be used to insert extra space into a score,
1982 adjusting the padding value as necessary.
1984 \override Score.NonMusicalPaperColumn #'padding = #10
1987 No work-around exists for decreasing the amount of space.
1990 @node New spacing area
1991 @subsection New spacing area
1993 New sections with different spacing parameters can be started with
1994 @code{newSpacingSection}. This is useful when there are
1995 sections with a different notions of long and short notes.
1997 In the following example, the time signature change introduces a new
1998 section, and hence the 16ths notes are spaced wider.
2000 @lilypond[relative,fragment,verbatim,quote]
2003 c8 c c4 c16[ c c8] c4
2009 The @code{\newSpacingSection} command creates a new
2010 @code{SpacingSpanner} object, and hence new @code{\override}s
2011 may be used in that location.
2018 Internals Reference:
2019 @rinternals{SpacingSpanner}.
2022 @node Changing horizontal spacing
2023 @subsection Changing horizontal spacing
2025 Horizontal spacing may be altered with the
2026 @code{base-shortest-duration} property. Here
2027 we compare the same music; once without altering
2028 the property, and then altered. Larger values
2029 of @code{ly:make-moment} will produce smaller
2030 music. Note that @code{ly:make-moment} constructs
2031 a duration, so @code{1 4} is a longer duration
2034 @lilypond[verbatim,line-width=12\cm]
2037 g4 e e2 | f4 d d2 | c4 d e f | g4 g g2 |
2038 g4 e e2 | f4 d d2 | c4 e g g | c,1 |
2039 d4 d d d | d4 e f2 | e4 e e e | e4 f g2 |
2040 g4 e e2 | f4 d d2 | c4 e g g | c,1 |
2045 @lilypond[verbatim,line-width=12\cm]
2048 g4 e e2 | f4 d d2 | c4 d e f | g4 g g2 |
2049 g4 e e2 | f4 d d2 | c4 e g g | c,1 |
2050 d4 d d d | d4 e f2 | e4 e e e | e4 f g2 |
2051 g4 e e2 | f4 d d2 | c4 e g g | c,1 |
2056 \override SpacingSpanner
2057 #'base-shortest-duration = #(ly:make-moment 1 16)
2066 By default, spacing in tuplets depends on various non-duration
2067 factors (such as accidentals, clef changes, etc). To disregard
2068 such symbols and force uniform equal-duration spacing, use
2069 @code{Score.SpacingSpanner #'uniform-stretching}. This
2070 property can only be changed at the beginning of a score,
2072 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,relative=2,fragment,verbatim]
2074 \override SpacingSpanner #'uniform-stretching = ##t
2091 When @code{strict-note-spacing} is set, notes are spaced without
2092 regard for clefs, bar lines, and grace notes,
2094 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,relative=2,fragment,verbatim]
2095 \override Score.SpacingSpanner #'strict-note-spacing = ##t
2096 \new Staff { c8[ c \clef alto c \grace { c16[ c] } c8 c c] c32[ c32] }
2106 @subsection Line length
2109 @cindex breaking pages
2112 @funindex line-width
2113 @funindex ragged-right
2114 @funindex ragged-last
2116 @c Although line-width can be set in \layout, it should be set in paper
2117 @c block, to get page layout right.
2118 @c Setting indent in \paper block makes not much sense, but it works.
2120 @c Bit verbose and vague, use examples?
2121 The most basic settings influencing the spacing are @code{indent} and
2122 @code{line-width}. They are set in the @code{\layout} block. They
2123 control the indentation of the first line of music, and the lengths of
2126 If @code{ragged-right} is set to true in the @code{\layout} block, then
2127 systems ends at their natural horizontal length, instead of being spread
2128 horizontally to fill the whole line. This is useful for
2129 short fragments, and for checking how tight the natural spacing is.
2130 The normal default setting is false, but if the score has only one
2131 system the default value is true.
2134 @cindex vertical spacing
2136 The option @code{ragged-last} is similar to @code{ragged-right}, but
2137 only affects the last line of the piece. No restrictions are put on
2138 that line. The result is similar to formatting text paragraphs. In a
2139 paragraph, the last line simply takes its natural horizontal length.
2140 @c Note that for text there are several options for the last line.
2141 @c While Knuth TeX uses natural length, lead typesetters use the same
2142 @c stretch as the previous line. eTeX uses \lastlinefit to
2143 @c interpolate between both these solutions.
2159 @node Proportional notation
2160 @subsection Proportional notation
2162 LilyPond supports proportional notation, a type of horizontal spacing
2163 in which each note consumes an amount of horizontal space exactly
2164 equivalent to its rhythmic duration. This type of proportional spacing
2165 is comparable to horizontal spacing on top of graph paper. Some late
2166 20th- and early 21st-century scores use proportional notation to
2167 clarify complex rhythmic relationships or to facilitate the placement
2168 of timelines or other graphics directly in the score.
2170 LilyPond supports five different settings for proportional notation,
2171 which may be used together or alone:
2174 @item @code{proportionalNotationDuration}
2175 @item @code{uniform-stretching}
2176 @item @code{strict-note-spacing}
2177 @item @code{\remove Separating_line_group_engraver}
2178 @item @code{\override PaperColumn #'used = ##t}
2181 In the examples that follow, we explore these five different
2182 proportional notation settings and examine how these settings interact.
2184 We start with the following one-measure example, which uses classical
2185 spacing with ragged-right turned on.
2187 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
2189 \new RhythmicStaff {
2193 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16
2199 Notice that the half note which begins the measure takes up far less
2200 than half of the horizontal space of the measure. Likewise, the
2201 sixteenth notes and sixteenth-note quintuplets (or twentieth notes)
2202 which end the measure together take up far more than half the
2203 horizontal space of the measure.
2205 In classical engraving, this spacing may be exactly what we want
2206 because we can borrow horizontal space from the half note and conserve
2207 horizontal space across the measure as a whole.
2209 On the other hand, if we want to insert a measured timeline or other
2210 graphic above or below our score, we need proportional notation. We
2211 turn proportional notation on with the proportionalNotationDuration
2214 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
2216 proportionalNotationDuration = #(ly:make-moment 1 20)
2218 \new RhythmicStaff {
2222 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16
2228 The half note at the beginning of the measure and the faster notes in
2229 the second half of the measure now occupy equal amounts of horizontal
2230 space. We could place a measured timeline or graphic above or below
2233 The @code{proportionalNotationDuration} setting is a context setting that
2234 lives in @code{Score}. Recall that context settings appear in one of
2235 three locations in our input file -- in a @code{\with} block, in a
2236 @code{\context} block, or directly in music entry
2237 preceded by the @code{\set} command. As with all
2238 context settings, users can pick which of the three different
2239 locations they would like to set @code{proportionalNotationDuration}.
2241 The @code{proportionalNotationDuration} setting takes a single argument,
2242 which is the reference duration against which all music will be
2243 spaced. The LilyPond Scheme function make-moment takes two arguments
2244 -- a numerator and denominator which together express some fraction of
2245 a whole note. The call @code{#(ly:make-moment 1 20)} therefore produces a
2246 reference duration of a twentieth note. The values
2247 @code{#(ly:make-moment 1 16)}, @code{#(ly:make-moment 1 8)}, and
2248 @code{#(ly:make-moment 3 97)} are all possible as well.
2250 How do we select the right reference duration to pass to
2251 @code{proportionalNotationDuration}? Usually by a process of trial and error,
2252 beginning with a duration close to the fastest (or smallest) duration
2253 in the piece. Smaller reference durations space music loosely; larger
2254 reference durations space music tightly.
2256 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
2258 proportionalNotationDuration = #(ly:make-moment 1 8)
2260 \new RhythmicStaff {
2264 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16
2270 proportionalNotationDuration = #(ly:make-moment 1 16)
2272 \new RhythmicStaff {
2276 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16
2282 proportionalNotationDuration = #(ly:make-moment 1 32)
2284 \new RhythmicStaff {
2288 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16
2294 Note that too large a reference duration -- such as the eighth note,
2295 above -- spaces music too tightly and can cause note head collisions.
2296 Note also that proportional notation in general takes up more
2297 horizontal space that does classical spacing. Proportional spacing
2298 provides rhythmic clarity at the expense of horizontal space.
2300 Next we examine how to optimally space overlapping tuplets.
2302 We start by examining what happens to our original example, with
2303 classical spacing, when we add a second staff with a different type of
2306 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
2308 \new RhythmicStaff {
2312 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16
2315 \new RhythmicStaff {
2317 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8
2323 The spacing is bad because the evenly notes of the bottom staff do not
2324 stretch uniformly. Classical engraving includes very few complex
2325 triplets and so classical engraving rules can generate this type of
2326 result. Setting @code{proportionalNotationDuration} remedies this
2327 situation considerably.
2329 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
2331 proportionalNotationDuration = #(ly:make-moment 1 20)
2333 \new RhythmicStaff {
2337 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16
2340 \new RhythmicStaff {
2342 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8
2348 But if we look very carefully we can see that notes of the second half
2349 of the 9-tuplet space ever so slightly more widely than do the notes
2350 of the first half of the 9-tuplet. To ensure uniform stretching, we
2351 turn on @code{uniform-stretching}, which is a property of
2352 @code{SpacingSpanner}.
2354 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
2356 proportionalNotationDuration = #(ly:make-moment 1 20)
2357 \override SpacingSpanner #'uniform-stretching = ##t
2359 \new RhythmicStaff {
2363 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16 c'16
2366 \new RhythmicStaff {
2368 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8 c'8
2374 Our two-staff example now spaces exactly, our rhythmic
2375 relationships are visually clear, and we can include a measured
2376 timeline or graphic if we want.
2378 Note that the LilyPond's proportional notation package expects
2379 that all proportional scores set the SpacingSpanner's
2380 'uniform-stretching attribute to ##t. Setting
2381 proportionalNotationDuration without also setting the
2382 SpacingSpanner's 'uniform-stretching attribute to ##t will, for
2383 example, cause Skips to consume an incorrect amount of horizontal
2386 The SpacingSpanner is an abstract grob that lives in the Score
2387 context. As with our settings of proportionalNotationDuration,
2388 overrides to the SpacingSpanner can occur in any of three
2389 different places in our input file – in the Score \with block, in
2390 a Score \context block, or in note entry directly.
2392 There is by default only one @code{SpacingSpanner} per @code{Score}. This
2393 means that, by default, @code{uniform-stretching} is either turned on for the
2394 entire score or turned off for the entire score. We can, however,
2395 override this behavior and turn on different spacing features at
2396 different places in the score. We do this with the command
2397 @code{\newSpacingSection}. See @ref{New spacing area}, for more info.
2399 Next we examine the effects of the @code{Separating_line_group_engraver} and
2400 see why proportional scores frequently remove this engraver. The following
2401 example shows that there is a small amount of @qq{preferatory} space
2402 just before the first note in each system.
2404 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
2417 The amount of this preferatory space is the same whether after a time
2418 signature, a key signature or a clef. @code{Separating_line_group_engraver}
2419 is responsible for this space. Removing @code{Separating_line_group_engraver}
2420 reduces this space to zero.
2422 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
2428 \remove Separating_line_group_engraver
2436 Nonmusical elements like time signatures, key signatures, clefs and
2437 accidentals are problematic in proportional notation. None of these
2438 elements has rhythmic duration. But all of these elements consume
2439 horizontal space. Different proportional scores approach these
2440 problems differently.
2442 It may be possible to avoid spacing problems with key signatures
2443 simply by not having any. This is a valid option since most
2444 proportional scores are contemporary music. The same may be true
2445 of time signatures, especially for those scores
2446 that include a measured timeline or other graphic. But these scores
2447 are exceptional and most proportional scores include at least some
2448 time signatures. Clefs and accidentals are even more essential.
2450 So what strategies exist for spacing nonmusical elements in a
2451 proportional context? One good option is the @code{strict-note-spacing}
2452 property of @code{SpacingSpanner}. Compare the two scores below:
2454 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
2456 \set Score.proportionalNotationDuration = #(ly:make-moment 1 16)
2466 \set Score.proportionalNotationDuration = #(ly:make-moment 1 16)
2467 \override Score.SpacingSpanner #'strict-note-spacing = ##t
2477 Both scores are proportional, but the spacing in the first score
2478 is too loose because of the clef change. The spacing of the second
2479 score remains strict, however, because strict-note-spacing is
2480 turned on. Turning on strict-note-spacing causes the width of
2481 time signatures, key signatures, clefs and accidentals to play no
2482 part in the spacing algorithm.
2484 In addition to the settings given here, there are other settings
2485 that frequently appear in proportional scores. These include:
2488 @item @code{\override SpacingSpanner #'strict-grace-spacing = ##t}
2489 @item @code{tupletFullLength = ##t}
2490 @item @code{\override Beam #'breakable = ##t}
2491 @item @code{\override Glissando #'breakable = ##t}
2492 @item @code{\override TextSpanner #'breakable = ##t}
2493 @item @code{\remove Forbid_line_break_engraver in the Voice context}
2496 These settings space grace notes strictly, extend tuplet brackets to
2497 mark both rhythmic start- and stop-points, and allow spanning elements
2498 to break across systems and pages. See the respective parts of the manual
2499 for these related settings.
2504 @ref{New spacing area}.
2510 @node Fitting music onto fewer pages
2511 @section Fitting music onto fewer pages
2513 Sometimes you can end up with one or two staves on a second
2514 (or third, or fourth...) page. This is annoying, especially
2515 if you look at previous pages and it looks like there is plenty
2516 of room left on those.
2518 When investigating layout issues, @code{annotate-spacing} is an
2519 invaluable tool. This command prints the values of various layout
2520 spacing variables; for more details see the following section,
2521 @ref{Displaying spacing}.
2524 * Displaying spacing::
2525 * Changing spacing::
2529 @node Displaying spacing
2530 @subsection Displaying spacing
2532 @funindex annotate-spacing
2533 @cindex spacing, display of layout
2535 To graphically display the dimensions of vertical layout variables
2536 that may be altered for page formatting, set
2537 @code{annotate-spacing} in the @code{\paper} block:
2539 @c need to have \book{} otherwise we get the separate systems. -hwn
2540 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
2541 #(set-default-paper-size "a6" 'landscape)
2544 \paper { annotate-spacing = ##t }
2550 All layout dimensions are displayed in staff-spaces, regardless
2551 of the units specified in the @code{\paper} or @code{\layout} block.
2552 In the above example, @code{paper-height} has a value of 59.75
2553 @code{staff-spaces}, and the @code{staff-size} is 20 points (the
2554 default value). Note that:
2556 @multitable {1 staff-space} {staff-size)/4 * (25.4/72.27) mm}
2559 @tab = (25.4/72.27) mm
2562 @tab = (@code{staff-size})/4 pts
2564 @tab = (@code{staff-size})/4 * (25.4/72.27) mm
2569 In this case, one @code{staff-space} is approximately equal to
2570 1.757mm. Thus the @code{paper-height} measurement of 59.75
2571 @code{staff-spaces} is equivalent to 105 millimeters, the height
2572 of @code{a6} paper in landscape orientation. The pairs
2573 (@var{a},@var{b}) are intervals, where @var{a} is the lower
2574 edge and @var{b} the upper edge of the interval.
2579 @ref{Setting the staff size}.
2585 @node Changing spacing
2586 @subsection Changing spacing
2588 The output of @code{annotate-spacing} reveals vertical dimensions
2589 in great detail. For details about modifying margins and other
2590 layout variables, see @ref{Page formatting}.
2592 Other than margins, there are a few other options to save space:
2596 Force systems to move as close together as possible (to fit as
2597 many systems as possible onto a page) while being spaced so that
2598 there is no blank space at the bottom of the page.
2602 between-system-padding = #0.1
2603 between-system-space = #0.1
2604 ragged-last-bottom = ##f
2610 Force the number of systems. This can help in two ways. Just
2611 setting a value, even the same value as the number of systems
2612 being typeset by default, will sometimes cause more systems to
2613 be fitted onto each page, as an estimation step is then bypassed,
2614 giving a more accurate fit to each page. Also, forcing an actual
2615 reduction in the number of systems may save a further page. For
2616 example, if the default layout has 11 systems, the following
2617 assignment will force a layout with 10 systems.
2626 Avoid (or reduce) objects that increase the vertical size of a
2627 system. For example, volta repeats (or alternate repeats) require
2628 extra space. If these repeats are spread over two systems, they
2629 will take up more space than one system with the volta repeats and
2630 another system without. For example, dynamics that @q{stick out} of
2631 a system can be moved closer to the staff:
2633 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1]
2635 \override DynamicText #'extra-offset = #'( -2.2 . 2.0)
2640 Alter the horizontal spacing via @code{SpacingSpanner}. For more
2641 details, see @ref{Changing horizontal spacing}. The following
2642 example illustrates the default spacing:
2644 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
2657 The next example modifies @code{common-shortest-duration} from a
2658 value of @code{1/4} to @code{1/2}. The quarter note is the most
2659 common and shortest duration in this example, so by making this
2660 duration longer, a @q{squeezing} effect occurs:
2662 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
2674 \override SpacingSpanner
2675 #'common-shortest-duration = #(ly:make-moment 1 2)
2682 The @code{common-shortest-duration} property cannot be modified
2683 dynamically, so it must always be placed in a @code{\context}
2684 block so that it applies to the whole score.
2691 @ref{Page formatting},
2692 @ref{Changing horizontal spacing}.