1 @node Properties, , , Top
3 @cindex properties!Lyrics
6 @item @code{textStyle}@indexcode{textStyle}
7 Set the font for lyrics. The available font choices are
8 @code{roman}, @code{italic}, @code{bold}, @code{large}, @code{Large},
9 @code{typewriter}, and @code{finger}. The @code{finger} font can
10 only display numbers. Note also that you must be careful when
11 using @code{\property} in Lyrics mode, because of the way strings
12 are parsed. Either put quotes around the arguments to
13 @code{\property} or be sure to leave a space on both sides of the
18 @cindex properties!Thread
21 @item @code{noteheadStyle}@indexcode{noteheadStyle}
22 Selects type of note head. Choices are @code{cross},
23 @code{diamond}, @code{harmonic}, @code{transparent}, and @code{""}.
24 They are shown in that order below.
30 \property Staff.barNonAuto = 1
31 \property Voice.noteHeadStyle = cross
33 \property Voice.noteHeadStyle = diamond
35 \property Voice.noteHeadStyle = harmonic
37 \property Voice.noteHeadStyle = transparent
39 \property Voice.noteHeadStyle = ""
50 @subsubheading Grace properties
52 @cindex properties!Grace
56 @item @code{stemStyle}@indexcode{stemStyle}
57 By default set to @code{"grace"} meaning that all unbeamed
58 notes with flags are typeset with a slash through the flag.
59 Setting to @code{""} gives standard flags.
63 @subsubheading Voice properties
65 @cindex properties!Voice
68 @item @code{abbrev}@indexcode{abbrev}
69 Set length for tremolo to be used if no length is explicitly
72 @item @code{articulationScriptPadding}@indexcode{articulationScriptPadding}
74 Determines the extra space added between articulation marks, such
75 as staccato, tenuto, trill, up/down bow or fermata, and the
76 closest staff line or note.
78 @item @code{articulationScriptVerticalDirection}
79 @indexcode{articulationScriptVerticalDirection}
80 Determines the location of articulation marks. Set to @code{\up}
81 to print marks above the staff; set to @code{\down} to print marks
82 below the staff. This property does not override explicit
83 directions marked with `@code{^}' or `@code{_}' in the mudela file.
85 @item @code{noAutoBeaming}@indexcode{beamAuto}
86 If set to 1 then beams are not generated automatically.
88 @item @code{beamAutoEnd}@indexcode{beamAutoEnd}
89 Specifies when automatically generated beams can end. See
90 section XREF-autobeam [FIXME].
92 @item @code{beamAutoBegin}@indexcode{beamAutoBegin}
93 Specifies when automatically generated beams can start. See
94 section XREF-autobeam [FIXME].
96 @item @code{beamquantisation}@indexcode{beamquantisation}
97 Set to @code{\none} for no quantization. Set to @code{\normal} to
98 quantize position and slope. Set to @code{\traditional} to avoid
99 wedges. These three settings are available via
100 @code{\beamposfree}@keyindex{beamposfree},
101 @code{\beamposnormal}@keyindex{beamposnormal}, and
102 @code{\beampostraditional}@keyindex{beampostraditional}.
104 @item @code{beamslopedamping}@indexcode{beamslopedamping}
105 Set to @code{\none} for undamped beams. Set to @code{\normal} for
106 damped beams. Set to @code{\infinity} for beams with zero slope.
108 @code{\beamslopeproportional}@keyindex{beamslopeproportional},
109 @code{\beamslopedamped}@keyindex{beamslopedamped}, and
110 @code{\beamslopezero}@keyindex{beamslopezero} each set the
113 @item @code{dynamicDirection}@indexcode{dynamicDirection}
114 Determines location of dynamic marks. Set to @code{\up} to print
115 marks above the staff; set to @code{\down} to print marks below
118 @item @code{dynamicStyle}@indexcode{dynamicStyle}
119 Set the text style for dynamics.
121 @item @code{fontSize}@indexcode{fontSize}
122 Can be used to select smaller font sizes for music. The normal
123 font size is 0, and the two smaller sizes are -1
126 @item @code{forceHorizontalShift}@indexcode{forceHorizontalShift}
127 Force horizontal shift for collision resolution. It overrides
128 automatic collision resolution. The value is the shift amount
129 expressed in @code{note_width}, as set in the paper section.
131 [FIXME: this should be moved]
133 Lilypond always arranges note heads on alternate sides of a stem (that
134 is, within a single voice) as necessary to prevent collisions (note head
135 overlaps). For up stems, the upper note of a colliding pair is placed
136 on the right side of the stem, the lower on the left. For down stems,
137 the algorithm works in reverse.
139 Lily also attempts to prevent collisions of note heads in different
140 voices. A situation where chords of two or more voices are played
141 simultaneously within one staff.
143 By default, if only two voices (and both have opposite stem directions)
144 are in this 'collision group', the notes both are shifted by @code{0.5
145 \quartwidth} if there are unisons or seconds between the voices.
147 If there are more than two voices in a collision group, shifting is
148 inactive by default, since in this case, there are multiple chords with
149 the same stem direction. By distinguish between those chords, LilyPond
150 can do collision resolution in these cases as well.
152 Distinguishing between voices with the same stem direction, is done by
153 setting the property @code{Voice.horizontalNoteShift}. It must be set
154 to a different integer for each voice. Then, all note heads in collision
155 groups (not just unisons and seconds) will be offset, one voice relative
156 another. The following fragment of sheet music shows how shifting is
157 done, with values of @code{horizontalNoteShift} printed over and under
158 the notes. In this case the chords are just simple notes.
160 @c URG : mudela book bug.
163 \notes \context Staff <
164 \context Voice = VA { \stemup f''4^"0" }
165 \context Voice = VB {\stemup
166 \property Voice.horizontalNoteShift = 1 d''4^" 1" }
167 \context Voice = VC { \stemup \property
168 Voice.horizontalNoteShift = 2 b'4^" 2" }
169 \context Voice = VD { \stemdown \property
170 Voice.horizontalNoteShift = 1 g'4_"1 " }
171 \context Voice = VE { \stemdown e'4_"0" }
176 If you are not satisfied with the collision resolution of LilyPond, you
177 can override the horizontal shift value of the chord of one Voice, by
178 setting @code{forceHorizontalShift}. This sets the amount shift,
179 measured in black note head widths.
181 To take complete control of note position shifts in complex passages,
182 you have set things up for normal collisions and override all shifts by
183 setting @code{forceHorizontalShift} to zero everywhere
185 \property Voice.horizontalNoteShift = <n>
186 \property Voice.forceHorizontalShift = "0.0"
189 Then you can set the force property to a suitable value before each note
190 that really needs it (unisons and seconds), and reset it to 0.0 after
193 @item @code{horizontalNoteShift}@indexcode{horizontalNoteShift}
194 Enable LilyPond to shift notes horizontally if they collide with
195 other notes. This is useful when typesetting many voices on one
196 staff. The identifier @code{\shift}@keyindex{shift} is defined to
197 enable this. Traditionally, the outer chords (the upmost and
198 downmost voices), should have no @code{horizontalNoteShift}.
200 @item @code{markScriptPadding}@indexcode{markScriptPadding}
201 Determines the extra space added between the mark and the closest
204 @item @code{markDirection}@indexcode{markDirection}
205 Determines if marks should be printed above or below the staff.
206 Set to @code{\up} to print marks above the staff; set to
207 @code{\down} to print marks below the staff.
209 @item @code{midiInstrument}@indexcode{midiInstrument}
210 Sets the instrument for MIDI output. If this property is not set
211 then LilyPond will use the @code{instrument} property. This must
212 be set to one of the strings on the list of MIDI instruments that
213 appears in section XREF-midilist [FIXME]. If you use a string which
214 is not listed, LilyPond will silently substitute piano.
216 @item @code{oldTieBehavior}@indexcode{oldTieBehavior}
217 Set to 1 in order to get old tie behavior where ties would
218 connect unequal pitches. This property is deprecated, and its
219 use is not recommended.
221 @item @code{restStyle}@indexcode{restStyle}
222 Change the layout of rests shorter than quarter notes.
223 Currently, the standard layout @code{""} and mensural notation
224 @code{"mensural"} are available. Mensural rests of duration
225 32 or shorter are not available.
227 @item @code{scriptHorizontal}@indexcode{scriptHorizontal}
228 Put scripts left or right of note heads. Support for this is
229 limited. Accidentals will collide with scripts.
231 @item @code{slurVerticalDirection}@indexcode{slurVerticalDirection}
232 Set to @code{\free} for free choice of slur direction, set to
233 @code{\up} to force slurs up, set to @code{\down} to force slurs
234 down. The shorthands @code{\slurup}@keyindex{slurup},
235 @code{\slurdown}@keyindex{slurdown}, and
236 @code{\slurboth}@keyindex{slurboth} are available.
238 @item @code{slurDash}@indexcode{slurDash}
239 Set to 0 for normal slurs, 1 for dotted slurs, and a
240 larger value for dashed slurs. Identifiers
241 @code{\slurnormal}@keyindex{slurnormal} and
242 @code{\slurdotted}@keyindex{slurdotted} are predefined to set the
245 @item @code{stemLength}@indexcode{stemLength}
246 Set length of stems. Unit is `@code{interline}/2', so
247 @code{stemLength} defaults to 7.
249 @item @code{stemLeftBeamCount}@indexcode{stemLeftBeamCount}
250 Specify the number of beams to draw on the left side of the next
251 note. Overrides automatic beaming. The value is only used once,
252 and then it is erased.
254 @item @code{stemRightBeamCount}@indexcode{stemRightBeamCount}
255 Specify the number of beams to draw on the right side of the next
256 note. Overrides automatic beaming. The value is only used once,
257 and then it is erased.
258 @item @code{tieVerticalDirection}@indexcode{tieVerticalDirection}
259 Set to @code{\free} for free choice of tie direction, set to
260 @code{\up} to force ties up, set to @code{\down} to force ties
263 @item @code{transposing}@indexcode{transposing}
264 Transpose the MIDI output. Set this property to the number of
265 half-steps to transpose by.
268 @item @code{textEmptyDimension}@indexcode{textEmptyDimension}
269 If set to 1 then text placed above or below the staff is
270 assumed to have zero width.
272 @item @code{textStyle}@indexcode{textStyle}
273 Set the text style for superscripts and subscripts. See above
274 for list of text styles.
276 @item @code{textScriptPadding}@indexcode{textScriptPadding}
277 Determines the extra space added between superscripted resp.
278 subscripted text and the closest staff line or note.
280 @item @code{verticalDirection}@indexcode{verticalDirection}
281 Determines the direction of stems, subscripts, beams, slurs, and
282 ties. Set to @code{\down} to force them down, @code{\up} to force
283 them up, or @code{\free} to let LilyPond decide. This can be used
284 to distinguish between voices on the same staff. The
285 @code{\stemdown}@keyindex{stemdown}, @code{\stemup}@keyindex{stemup},
286 and @code{\stemboth}@keyindex{stemboth} identifiers set this
290 @item @code{tupletDirection}@indexcode{tupletDirection}
291 Determines the direction of triplets and other tuplets. Set to
292 @code{\down} to force them below the staff, @code{\up} to force
293 them above, or @code{\free} to let LilyPond decide.
295 @item @code{tupletVisibility}@indexcode{tupletVisibility}
296 Determines whether tuplets of notes are labelled. Setting
297 to 0 shows nothing; setting to 1 shows a number;
298 setting to 2 shows a number and a bracket if there is no
299 beam; setting to 3 shows a number, and if there is no beam
300 it adds a bracket; setting to 4 shows both a number and a
301 bracket unconditionally.
305 @subsubheading Staff properties
307 @cindex properties!Staff
311 @item @code{barNonAuto}@indexcode{barNonAuto}
312 If set to 1 then bar lines will not be printed
313 automatically; they must be explicitly created with @code{\bar}
314 keywords. Unlike with the @code{\cadenza} keyword, measures are
315 still counted. Bar generation will resume according to that
316 count if this property is set to zero.
318 @item @code{barNumberDirection}@indexcode{barNumberDirection}
319 Set to @code{\up} or @code{\down} to put bar numbers above or below
322 @item @code{barNumberHangOnClef}@indexcode{barNumberHangOnClef}
323 Set to 1 to cause bar numbers to appear above or below the
324 clef instead of on the bar line. This property is deprecated.
327 @item @code{barNumberScriptPadding}@indexcode{barNumberScriptPadding}
328 Sets extra space between the bar number and the bar it labels.
330 @item @code{barSize}@indexcode{barSize}
331 Specify the height of the bar lines if it should be different
332 than the staff height.
334 @item @code{barAtLineStart}@indexcode{barAtLineStart}
335 Set to 1 to produce a bar line after the clef at the start
336 of each line (but not at the beginning of the music).
338 @item @code{clefStyle}@indexcode{clefStyle}
339 Determines how clefs are typeset. If set to @code{transparent},
340 the clefs are not printed at all, if set to
341 @code{fullSizeChanges}, clef changes in the middle of a line are
342 typeset with a full size clef. By default, clef changes are
343 typeset in smaller size.
345 @item @code{createKeyOnClefChange}@indexcode{createKeyOnClefChange}
346 Set to a nonempty string if you want key signatures to be printed
347 when the clef changes. Set to the empty string if you do not
348 want key signatures printed.
350 @item @code{createInitdefaultClef}@indexcode{createInitdefaultClef}
351 Specify whether clefs are created on default? (Doesn't seem to
354 @item @code{defaultClef}@indexcode{defaultClef}
355 Determines the default clef. See @code{\clef} keyword.
357 @item @code{markHangOnClef}@indexcode{markHangOnClef}
358 Set to 1 to cause marks to appear by clefs instead of by bar
359 lines. Deprecated, use is not recommended.
361 @item @code{marginDirection}@indexcode{marginDirection}
362 Set to @code{\left} or @code{\right} to specify location of
365 @item @code{marginScriptPadding}@indexcode{marginScriptPadding}
366 Specify extra space for marginal scripts.
368 @item @code{forgetAccidentals}@indexcode{forgetAccidentals}
369 Causes accidentals to be printed at every note instead of
370 remembered for the duration of a measure.
372 @item @code{noResetKey}@indexcode{noResetKey}
373 Do not reset the key at the start of a measure. Accidentals will
374 be printed only once and are in effect until overridden, possibly
377 @item @code{staffLineLeading}@indexcode{staffLineLeading}
378 Specifies the distance (in points) between lines of the staff.
380 @item @code{numberOfStaffLines}@indexcode{numberOfStaffLines}
381 Specifies the number of staff lines. The default is 5.
383 @item @code{postBreakPadding}@indexcode{postBreakPadding}
384 Extra space in points to be added after the clef, time signature
385 and key signature on the staff. Deprecated, do not use.
387 @item @code{noVoltaBraces}@indexcode{noVoltaBraces}
388 Set to true to suppress the printing of brackets over alternate
389 endings specified by the command @code{\alternative}.
391 @item @code{numberOfStaffLines}@indexcode{numberOfStaffLines}
392 Sets the number of lines that the staff has.
394 @item @code{barAlways}@indexcode{barAlways}
395 If set to 1 a bar line is drawn after each note.
397 @item @code{defaultBarType}@indexcode{defaultBarType}
398 Sets the default type of bar line. See Section XREF-barlines [FIXME]
399 for a list of available bar types.
401 @item @code{instrument}, @code{instr}
402 @indexcode{instrument}@indexcode{instr}
403 If @code{Staff_margin_engraver}
404 @cindex Staff_margin_engraver
406 added to the Staff translator, then the @code{instrument} property
407 is used to label the first line of the staff and the @code{instr}
408 property is used to label subsequent lines. If the
409 @code{midiInstrument} property is not set, then @code{instrument}
410 is used to determine the instrument for MIDI output.
412 @item @code{keyOctaviation}@indexcode{keyOctaviation}
413 If set to 1, then keys are the same in all octaves. If set
414 to 0 then the key signature for different octaves can be
415 different and is specified independently:
418 \keysignature bes fis'
421 The default value is 1. Can be set to zero with
422 @code{\specialkey} or reset to 1 with @code{\normalkey}.
424 @item @code{timeSignatureStyle}@indexcode{timeSignatureStyle}
425 Changes the default two-digit layout for time signatures. The
426 following values are recognized:
429 @item @code{C}@indexcode{C}
430 4/4 and 2/2 are typeset as C and struck C, respectively. All
431 other time signatures are written with two digits.
433 @item @code{old}@indexcode{old}
434 2/2, 3/2, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/4, 9/4, 4/8, 6/8 and 9/8 are
435 typeset with old-style mensuration marks. All other time
436 signatures are written with two digits.
438 @item @code{1}@indexcode{1}
439 All time signatures are typeset with a single
440 digit, e.g. 3/2 is written as 3.
442 @item @indexcode{CM/N}@code{C}@var{M}@code{/}@var{N},
443 @indexcode{oldM/N}@code{old}@var{M}@code{/}@var{N} or
444 @code{old6/8alt}@indexcode{old6/8alt}
445 Tells LilyPond to use a specific symbol as time signature.
448 The different time signature characters are shown below with its
454 \notes\relative c'' {
455 \property Voice.textStyle = typewriter
456 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "C2/2"
457 \time 2/2; a2^"C2/2" a2
458 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "C4/4"
459 \time 2/2; a2^"C4/4" a2
460 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "old2/2"
461 \time 2/2; a2^"old2/2" a2
462 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "old3/2"
463 \time 2/2; a2^"old3/2" a2
464 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "old2/4"
465 \time 2/2; a2^"old2/4" a2
466 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "old4/4"
467 \time 2/2; a2^"old4/4" a2
468 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "old6/4"
469 \time 2/2; a2^"old6/4" a2
470 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "old9/4"
471 \time 2/2; a2^"old9/4" a2
472 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "old4/8"
473 \time 2/2; a2^"old4/8" a2
474 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "old6/8"
475 \time 2/2; a2^"old6/8" a2
476 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "old6/8alt"
477 \time 2/2; a2^"old6/8alt" a2
478 \property Staff.timeSignatureStyle = "old9/8"
479 \time 2/2; a2^"old9/8" a2
488 @item @code{voltaSpannerDuration}@indexcode{voltaSpannerDuration}
489 Set to an integer to control the size of the brackets printed by
490 @code{\alternative}. The integer specifies the number of whole
491 notes duration to use for the brackets. It is rounded to the
492 nearest measure. This can be used to shrink the length of
493 brackets in the situation where one alternative is very large.
494 It may have odd effects if the specified duration is longer than
495 the music given in an @code{\alternative}.
499 @cindex properties!GrandStaff
502 @item @code{alignmentReference}@indexcode{alignmentReference}
503 Set to @code{\center} for vertical alignment reference point to be
504 in the center of the vertical group. Set to @code{\up} to put the
505 reference point at the top of the group.
507 @item @code{maxVerticalAlign}@indexcode{maxVerticalAlign}
508 Set the maximum vertical distance between staffs.
510 @item @code{minVerticalAlign}@indexcode{minVerticalAlign}
511 Set the minimum vertical distance between staffs.
515 @cindex properties!Score
518 @item @code{skipBars}@indexcode{skipBars}
519 Set to 1 to skip the empty bars that are produced by
520 multimeasure notes and rests. These bars will not appear on the
521 printed output. Set to zero (the default) to expand multimeasure
522 notes and rests into their full length, printing the appropriate
523 number of empty bars so that synchronization with other voices is
528 @mudela[fragment,verbatim,center]
529 r1 r1*3 R1*3\property Score.skipBars=1 r1*3 R1*3
537 @cindex properties!ChordNamesVoice
540 @item @code{chordInversion}@indexcode{chordInversion}
541 Determines whether LilyPond should look for chord inversions when
542 translating from notes to chord names. Set to 1 to find
543 inversions. The default is 0 which does not look for