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[lilypond.git] / Documentation / user / chords.itely

@c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
@ignore
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@node Chords
@section Chords

Intro text.

@menu
* Chords sections::             
@end menu


@node Chords sections
@subsection Chords sections

@menu
* A lead sheet::                
* Introducing chord names::     
* Chords mode::                 
* Printing chord names::        
@end menu

@c really awkward; I just shoved this in here from the tutorial.
@node A lead sheet
@subsubsection A lead sheet

@cindex Lead sheets
@cindex chords
@cindex chord names

In popular music it is common to denote accompaniment with chord
names.  Such chords can be entered like notes,

@lilypond[verbatim,quote,ragged-right]
\chordmode { c2 f4. g8 }
@end lilypond

Now each pitch is read as the root of a chord instead of a note.
This mode is switched on with @code{\chordmode}.  Other chords can
be created by adding modifiers after a colon.  The following
example shows a few common modifiers:

@lilypond[verbatim,quote,ragged-right]
\chordmode { c2 f4:m g4:maj7 gis1:dim7 }
@end lilypond

For lead sheets, chords are not printed on staves, but as names on
a line for themselves.  This is achieved by using @code{\chords}
instead of @code{\chordmode}.  This uses the same syntax as
@code{\chordmode}, but renders the notes in a @code{ChordNames}
context, with the following result:

@lilypond[verbatim,quote,ragged-right]
\chords { c2 f4.:m g4.:maj7 gis8:dim7 }
@end lilypond

@cindex lead sheet
When put together, chord names, lyrics and a melody form a lead
sheet,

@lilypond[verbatim,quote,ragged-right]
<<
  \chords { c2 g:sus4 f e }
  \relative c'' {
    a4 e c8 e r4
    b2 c4( d)
  }
  \addlyrics { One day this shall be free __ }
>>
@end lilypond


@seealso
@quotation
A complete list of modifiers and other options for layout can be
found in @ruser{Chords}.
@end quotation


@node Introducing chord names
@subsubsection Introducing chord names
@cindex chord names

LilyPond has support for printing chord names.  Chords may be entered
in musical chord notation, i.e., @code{< .. >}, but they can also be
entered by name.  Internally, the chords are represented as a set of
pitches, so they can be transposed


@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,ragged-right]
twoWays = \transpose c c' {
  \chordmode {
    c1 f:sus4 bes/f
  }
  <c e g>
  <f bes c'>
  <f bes d'>
}

<< \new ChordNames \twoWays
   \new Voice \twoWays >>
@end lilypond

This example also shows that the chord printing routines do not try to
be intelligent.  The last chord (@code{f bes d}) is not interpreted as
an inversion.

Note that the duration of chords must be specified outside the
@code{<>}.

@example
<c e g>2
@end example


@node Chords mode
@subsubsection Chords mode
@cindex Chords mode

In chord mode sets of pitches (chords) are entered with normal note
names.  A chord is entered by the root, which is entered like a
normal pitch

@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
\chordmode { es4. d8 c2 }
@end lilypond

@noindent
The mode is introduced by the keyword @code{\chordmode}.

@cindex chord entry
@cindex chord mode

Other chords may be entered by suffixing a colon and introducing a
modifier (which may include a number if desired)

@lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim]
\chordmode { e1:m e1:7 e1:m7 }
@end lilypond

The first number following the root is taken to be the @q{type} of the
chord, thirds are added to the root until it reaches the specified
number.  The exception is @code{c:13}, for which the 11 is omitted.

@lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim]
\chordmode { c:3 c:5 c:6 c:7 c:8 c:9 c:10 c:11 c:13 }
@end lilypond

@cindex root of chord
@cindex additions, in chords
@cindex removals, in chords

More complex chords may also be constructed adding separate steps
to a chord.  Additions are added after the number following
the colon and are separated by dots

@lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment]
\chordmode { c:5.6 c:3.7.8 c:3.6.13 }
@end lilypond

Chord steps can be altered by suffixing a @code{-} or @code{+} sign
to the number

@lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment]
\chordmode { c:7+ c:5+.3- c:3-.5-.7- }
@end lilypond

Removals are specified similarly and are introduced by a caret.  They
must come after the additions

@lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment]
\chordmode { c^3 c:7^5 c:9^3.5 }
@end lilypond

Modifiers can be used to change pitches.  The following modifiers are
supported

@table @code
@item m
The minor chord.  This modifier lowers the 3rd and (if present) the 7th step.

@item dim
The diminished chord.  This modifier lowers the 3rd, 5th and (if present)
the 7th step.

@item aug
The augmented chord.  This modifier raises the 5th step.

@item maj
The major 7th chord.  This modifier raises the 7th step if present.

@item sus
The suspended 4th or 2nd.  This modifier removes the 3rd
step.  Append either @code{2} or @code{4} to add the 2nd or 4th step to
the chord.
@end table

Modifiers can be mixed with additions
@lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment]
  \chordmode { c:sus4 c:7sus4 c:dim7 c:m6 }
@end lilypond

@cindex modifiers, in chords.
@funindex aug
@funindex dim
@funindex maj
@funindex sus
@funindex m

Since an unaltered 11 does not sound good when combined with an
unaltered 13, the 11 is removed in this case (unless it is added
explicitly)
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
\chordmode { c:13 c:13.11 c:m13 }
@end lilypond

@funindex /

An inversion (putting one pitch of the chord on the bottom), as well
as bass notes, can be specified by appending
@code{/}@var{pitch} to the chord
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
\chordmode { c1 c/g c/f }
@end lilypond
@funindex /+

A bass note can be added instead of transposed out of the chord,
by using @code{/+}@var{pitch}.

@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
\chordmode { c1 c/+g c/+f }
@end lilypond

Chords is a mode similar to @code{\lyricmode}, etc.  Most
of the commands continue to work, for example, @code{r} and
@code{\skip} can be used to insert rests and spaces, and property
commands may be used to change various settings.



@refbugs

Each step can only be present in a chord once.  The following
simply produces the augmented chord, since @code{5+} is interpreted
last
@cindex clusters
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,fragment]
\chordmode { c:5.5-.5+ }
@end lilypond


@node Printing chord names
@subsubsection Printing chord names

@cindex printing chord names
@cindex chord names
@cindex chords

For displaying printed chord names, use the @internalsref{ChordNames} context.
The chords may be entered either using the notation
described above, or directly using @code{<} and @code{>}

@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
harmonies = {
  \chordmode {a1 b c} <d' f' a'> <e' g' b'>
}
<<
  \new ChordNames \harmonies
  \new Staff \harmonies
>>
@end lilypond

You can make the chord changes stand out by setting
@internalsref{ChordNames}.@code{chordChanges} to true.  This will only
display chord names when there is a change in the chords scheme and at
the start of a new line

@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
harmonies = \chordmode {
  c1:m c:m \break c:m c:m d
}
<<
  \new ChordNames {
    \set chordChanges = ##t
    \harmonies }
  \new Staff \transpose c c' \harmonies
>>
@end lilypond

The previous examples all show chords over a staff.  This is not
necessary.  Chords may also be printed separately.  It may be necessary
to add @internalsref{Volta_engraver} and @internalsref{Bar_engraver}
for showing repeats.

@lilypond[ragged-right,verbatim]
\new ChordNames \with {
  \override BarLine #'bar-size = #4
  \consists Bar_engraver
  \consists "Volta_engraver"
}
\chordmode { \repeat volta 2 {
  f1:maj7 f:7 bes:7
  c:maj7
} \alternative {
  es e
}
}
@end lilypond


The default chord name layout is a system for Jazz music, proposed by
Klaus Ignatzek (see @ref{Literature list}).  It can be tuned through the
following properties

@table @code
@funindex chordNameExceptions
@item chordNameExceptions
This is a list that contains the chords that have special formatting.

The exceptions list should be encoded as
@example
@{ <c f g bes>1 \markup @{ \super "7" "wahh" @} @}
@end example

To get this information into @code{chordNameExceptions} takes a little
manoeuvring.  The following code transforms @code{chExceptionMusic}
(which is a sequential music) into a list of exceptions.
@example
(sequential-music-to-chord-exceptions chExceptionMusic #t)
@end example
Then,
@example
(append
 (sequential-music-to-chord-exceptions chExceptionMusic #t)
 ignatzekExceptions)
@end example
adds the new exceptions to the default ones, which are defined in
@file{ly/@/chord@/-modifier@/-init@/.ly}.

For an example of tuning this property, see also
@c @lsr{chords,chord@/-name@/-exceptions@/.ly}
@cindex exceptions, chord names.


@funindex majorSevenSymbol
@item majorSevenSymbol
This property contains the markup object used for the 7th step, when
it is major.  Predefined options are @code{whiteTriangleMarkup} and
@code{blackTriangleMarkup}.  See
@c @lsr{chords,chord@/-name@/-major7@/.ly} for an example.

@funindex chordNameSeparator
@item chordNameSeparator
Different parts of a chord name are normally separated by a
slash.  By setting @code{chordNameSeparator}, you can specify other
separators, e.g.,
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
\new ChordNames \chordmode {
  c:7sus4
  \set chordNameSeparator
    = \markup { \typewriter "|" }
  c:7sus4
}
@end lilypond

@funindex chordRootNamer
@item chordRootNamer
The root of a chord is usually printed as a letter with an optional
alteration.  The transformation from pitch to letter is done by this
function.  Special note names (for example, the German @q{H} for a
B-chord) can be produced by storing a new function in this property.

@funindex chordNoteNamer
@item chordNoteNamer
The default is to print single pitch, e.g., the bass note, using the
@code{chordRootNamer}.  The @code{chordNoteNamer} property can be set
to a specialized function to change this behavior.  For example, the
base can be printed in lower case.

@funindex chordPrefixSpacer
@item chordPrefixSpacer
The @q{m} for minor chords is usually printed right after the root of
the chord.  By setting @code{chordPrefixSpacer}, you can fix a spacer
between the root and @q{m}.  The spacer is not used when the root
is altered.

@end table

The predefined variables @code{\germanChords},
@code{\semiGermanChords}, @code{\italianChords} and @code{\frenchChords}
set these variables.  The effect is
demonstrated here,

@lilypondfile[ragged-right]{chord-names-languages.ly}

There are also two other chord name schemes implemented: an alternate
Jazz chord notation, and a systematic scheme called Banter chords.  The
alternate Jazz notation is also shown on the chart in @ref{Chord name
chart}.  Turning on these styles is demonstrated in
@c @lsr{chords,chord-names-jazz.ly}.

@cindex Banter
@cindex jazz chords
@cindex chords, jazz


@refcommands

@funindex \germanChords
@code{\germanChords},
@funindex \semiGermanChords
@code{\semiGermanChords}.
@funindex \italianChords
@code{\italianChords}.
@funindex \frenchChords
@code{\frenchChords}.




@seealso

Examples:
@c @lsrdir{chords}

Init files: @file{scm/@/chords@/-ignatzek@/.scm}, and
@file{scm/@/chord@/-entry@/.scm}.


@refbugs

Chord names are determined solely from the list of pitches.  Chord
inversions are not identified, and neither are added bass notes.  This
may result in strange chord names when chords are entered with the
@code{< .. >} syntax.