3 @c A menu is needed before every deeper *section nesting of @node's; run
4 @c M-x texinfo-all-menus-update
5 @c to automagically fill in these menus before saving changes
7 @c FIXME: singular vs. plural: Beams/Beam
11 @chapter Notation manual
14 <!--- @@WEB-TITLE@@=Notation manual --->
20 * Easier music entry::
27 * Fingering instructions::
36 * Contemporary notation::
42 @c FIXME: Note entry vs Music entry at top level menu is confusing.
53 * Chromatic alterations::
61 * Easy Notation note heads ::
69 A note is printed by specifying its pitch and then its duration.
70 @footnote{Notes constitute the most basic elements of LilyPond input,
71 but they do not form valid input on their own without a @code{\score}
72 block. However, for the sake of brevity and simplicity we will
73 generally omit @code{\score} blocks and @code{\paper} declarations in
76 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
85 @cindex Note specification
87 @cindex entering notes
89 The most common syntax for pitch entry is used in @code{\chords} and
90 @code{\notes} mode. In Note and Chord mode, pitches may be designated
91 by names. The notes are specified by the letters @code{a} through
92 @code{g}, while the octave is formed with notes ranging from @code{c}
93 to @code{b}. The pitch @code{c} is an octave below middle C and the
94 letters span the octave above that C.
96 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
98 a,4 b, c d e f g a b c' d' e' \clef treble f' g' a' b' c''
101 @cindex note names, Dutch
103 A sharp is formed by adding @code{-is} to the end of a pitch
104 name and a flat is formed by adding @code{-es}. Double sharps and
105 double flats are obtained by adding @code{-isis} or @code{-eses}.
107 These default names are the Dutch note names. In Dutch, @code{aes} is
108 contracted to @code{as} in Dutch, but both forms are
109 accepted. Similarly, both @code{es} and @code{ees} are accepted.
111 There are predefined sets of note names for various other languages.
112 To use them, include the language specific init file. For
113 example: @code{\include "english.ly"}. The available language files
114 and the note names they define are:
119 Note Names sharp flat
120 nederlands.ly c d e f g a bes b -is -es
121 english.ly c d e f g a bf b -s/-sharp -f/-flat
122 deutsch.ly c d e f g a b h -is -es
123 norsk.ly c d e f g a b h -iss/-is -ess/-es
124 svenska.ly c d e f g a b h -iss -ess
125 italiano.ly do re mi fa sol la sib si -d -b
126 catalan.ly do re mi fa sol la sib si -d/-s -b
127 espanol.ly do re mi fa sol la sib si -s -b
136 The optional octave specification takes the form of a series of
137 single quote (`@code{'}') characters or a series of comma
138 (`@code{,}') characters. Each @code{'} raises the pitch by one
139 octave; each @code{,} lowers the pitch by an octave.
141 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center]
142 c' c'' es' g' as' gisis' ais'
146 The verbose syntax for pitch specification is
148 @cindex @code{\pitch}
150 \pitch @var{scmpitch}
154 where @var{scmpitch} is a Scheme object of the @code{Pitch} type.
158 Dots are normally moved up to avoid staff lines, except in polyphonic
159 situations. The following commands may be used to force a particular
166 Notes can be hidden and unhidden with the following commands.
168 @refcommand hideNotes
169 @refcommand unHideNotes
174 @internalsref{NoteEvent}, @internalsref{NoteHead}
176 @node Chromatic alterations
177 @subsection Chromatic alterations
179 Normally accidentals are printed automatically, but you may also
180 print them manually. A reminder accidental
181 @cindex reminder accidental
183 can be forced by adding an exclamation mark @code{!}
184 after the pitch. A cautionary accidental
185 @cindex cautionary accidental
186 @cindex parenthesized accidental
187 (an accidental within parentheses) can be obtained by adding the
188 question mark `@code{?}' after the pitch.
190 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
191 cis' cis' cis'! cis'?
195 The automatic production of accidentals can be tuned in many
196 ways. For more information, refer to @ref{Accidentals}.
201 A chord is formed by a enclosing a set of pitches in @code{<<} and
202 @code{>>}. A chord may be followed by a duration, and a set of
203 articulations, just like simple notes.
205 Additionally, fingerings and articulations may be attached to
206 individual pitches of the chord:
208 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim,relative 1]
221 Rests are entered like notes, with the note name @code{r}.
223 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim]
227 Whole bar rests, centered in middle of the bar, are specified using
228 @code{R} (capital R); see @ref{Multi measure rests}. See also
231 For some music, you may wish to explicitly specify the rest's vertical
232 position. This can be achieved by entering a note with the @code{\rest}
233 keyword appended. Rest collision testing will leave these rests alone.
235 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim]
241 @internalsref{RestEvent}, @internalsref{Rest}
248 @cindex Invisible rest
251 An invisible rest (also called a `skip') can be entered like a note
252 with note name `@code{s}' or with @code{\skip @var{duration}}:
254 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim]
258 The @code{s} syntax is only available in Note mode and Chord
259 mode. In other situations, you should use the @code{\skip} command,
260 which will work outside of those two modes:
262 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim]
265 { \time 4/8 \skip 2 \time 4/4 }
266 \notes\relative c'' { a2 a1 }
271 The skip command is merely an empty musical placeholder. It does not
272 produce any output, not even transparent output.
276 @internalsref{SkipEvent}
281 @subsection Durations
285 @cindex @code{\duration}
288 In Note, Chord, and Lyrics mode, durations are designated by numbers
289 and dots: durations are entered as their reciprocal values. For example,
290 a quarter note is entered using a @code{4} (since it is a 1/4 note), while
291 a half note is entered using a @code{2} (since it is a 1/2 note). For notes
292 longer than a whole you must use variables.
294 @c FIXME: what is an identifier? I do not think it's been introduced yet.
295 @c and if it has, I obviously skipped that part. - Graham
299 c'1 c'2 c'4 c'8 c'16 c'32 c'64 c'64
301 r1 r2 r4 r8 r16 r32 r64 r64
306 \notes \relative c'' {
308 a1 a2 a4 a8 a16 a32 a64 a64
310 r1 r2 r4 r8 r16 r32 r64 r64
315 \remove "Clef_engraver"
316 \remove "Staff_symbol_engraver"
317 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
318 \consists "Pitch_squash_engraver"
325 If the duration is omitted then it is set to the previously entered
326 duration. Default for the first note is a quarter note. The duration
327 can be followed by dots (`@code{.}') in order to obtain dotted note
331 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center]
332 a' b' c''8 b' a'4 a'4. b'4.. c'8.
337 You can alter the length of duration by a fraction @var{N/M}
338 appending `@code{*}@var{N/M}' (or `@code{*}@var{N}' if @var{M=1}). This
339 will not affect the appearance of the notes or rests produced.
341 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
342 a'2*2 b'4*2 a'8*4 a'4*3/2 gis'4*3/2 a'4*3/2 a'4
345 Durations can also be produced through GUILE extension mechanism.
346 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment]
347 c'\duration #(ly:make-duration 2 1)
353 Dot placement for chords is not perfect. In some cases, dots overlap:
361 Whenever a note is found, a
362 @internalsref{Stem} object is created automatically. For whole notes
363 and rests, stem objects are also created, but in those cases, the stem
380 A tie connects two adjacent note heads of the same pitch. The tie in
381 effect extends the length of a note. Ties should not be confused with
382 slurs, which indicate articulation, or phrasing slurs, which indicate
383 musical phrasing. A tie is entered using the tilde symbol `@code{~}'.
385 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center]
386 e' ~ e' <<c' e' g'>> ~ <<c' e' g'>>
389 When a tie is applied to a chord, all note heads whose pitches match
390 are connected. When no note heads match, no ties will be created.
392 In its meaning a tie is just a way of extending a note duration, similar
393 to the augmentation dot: the following example are two ways of notating
394 exactly the same concept.
396 @lilypond[fragment, singleline,quote]
397 \time 3/4 c'2. c'2 ~ c'4
399 If you need to tie notes over bars, it may be easier to use automatic
400 note splitting (See @ref{Automatic note splitting}).
408 @refcommand tieDotted
413 @internalsref{TieEvent}, @internalsref{NewTieEvent},
414 @internalsref{Tie}, @ref{Automatic note splitting}.
417 ties created for a chord, see @inputfileref{input/test,tie-sparse.ly}.
421 Tieing only a subset of the note heads of a pair of chords is not
422 supported in a simple way. It can be achieved by moving the
423 tie-engraver into the @internalsref{Thread} context and turning on and
424 off ties per @internalsref{Thread}.
426 Switching staves when a tie is active, will produce a horizontal tie
429 Formatting of ties is a difficult subject. The results are often not
439 @cindex @code{\times}
441 Tuplets are made out of a music expression by multiplying all durations
444 @cindex @code{\times}
446 \times @var{fraction} @var{musicexpr}
449 The duration of @var{musicexpr} will be multiplied by the fraction.
450 In the sheet music, the fraction's denominator will be printed over
451 the notes, optionally with a bracket. The most common tuplet is the
452 triplet in which 3 notes have the length of 2, so the notes are 2/3
453 of their written length:
455 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center]
456 g'4 \times 2/3 {c'4 c' c'} d'4 d'4
459 The property @code{tupletSpannerDuration} specifies how long each bracket
460 should last. With this, you can make lots of tuplets while typing
461 @code{\times} only once, saving lots of typing.
463 @lilypond[fragment, relative, singleline, verbatim]
464 \property Voice.tupletSpannerDuration = #(ly:make-moment 1 4)
465 \times 2/3 { c'8 c c c c c }
468 The format of the number is determined by the property
469 @code{tupletNumberFormatFunction}. The default prints only the
470 denominator, but if it is set to the Scheme function
471 @code{fraction-tuplet-formatter}, @var{num}:@var{den} will be printed
475 @cindex @code{tupletNumberFormatFunction}
476 @cindex tuplet formatting
482 @refcommand tupletDown
483 @refcommand tupletBoth
487 @seeinternals{TupletBracket}, @seeinternals{TimeScaledMusic}.
491 Nested tuplets are not formatted automatically. In this case, outer
492 tuplet brackets should be moved manually.
494 @node Easy Notation note heads
495 @subsection Easy Notation note heads
497 @cindex easy notation
500 The `easyplay' note head includes a note name inside the head. It is
501 used in music aimed at beginners.
503 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim,26pt]
505 \notes { c'2 e'4 f' | g'1 }
506 \paper { \translator { \EasyNotation } }
510 The @code{EasyNotation} variable overrides a @internalsref{Score}
511 context. You probably will want to print it with magnification or a
512 large font size to make it more readable. To print with
513 magnification, you must create a DVI file (with @file{ly2dvi}) and
514 then enlarge it with something like @file{dvips -x 2000 file.dvi}.
515 See @file{man dvips} for details. To print with a larger font, see
522 If you view the result with Xdvi, then staff lines will show through
523 the letters. Printing the PostScript file obtained with ly2dvi does
524 produce the correct result.
527 @node Easier music entry
528 @section Easier music entry
531 When entering music it is easy to introduce errors. This section deals
532 with tricks and features of the input language that help when entering
533 music, and find and correct mistakes.
535 Some features of the input language ease entering music, for example
536 the use of variables (for splitting up large pieces of music), and
537 unfolded repeats for writing repetitive parts. They are described in
538 other sections (see @ref{Repeats} and @ref{Assignments}), since they
539 are not especially aimed at easing entry
541 It is also possible to use external programs, for example GUI
542 interfaces, or MIDI transcription programs, to enter or edit
543 music. Refer to the website for more information. Finally, there are
544 tools make debugging easier, by linking the input file and the output
545 shown on screen. See @ref{Point and click} for more information.
551 * Skipping corrected music::
552 * Automatic note splitting ::
558 @node Relative octaves
559 @subsection Relative octaves
561 @cindex relative octave specification
563 Octaves are specified by adding @code{'} and @code{,} to pitch names.
564 When you copy existing music, it is easy to accidentally put a pitch
565 in the wrong octave and hard to find such an error. The relative
566 octave mode prevents these errors
568 @cindex @code{\relative}
570 \relative @var{startpitch} @var{musicexpr}
573 The octave of notes that appear in @var{musicexpr} are calculated as
574 follows: If no octave changing marks are used, the basic interval
575 between this and the last note is always taken to be a fourth or less
576 (This distance is determined without regarding alterations; a
577 @code{fisis} following a @code{ceses} will be put above the
580 The octave changing marks @code{'} and @code{,} can be added to raise or
581 lower the pitch by an extra octave. Upon entering relative mode, an
582 absolute starting pitch must be specified that will act as the
583 predecessor of the first note of @var{musicexpr}.
585 Entering music that changes octave frequently is easy in relative mode.
586 @lilypond[fragment,singleline,verbatim,center]
592 And octave changing marks are used for intervals greater than a fourth.
593 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center]
598 If the preceding item is a chord, the first note of the chord is used
599 to determine the first note of the next chord. However, other notes
600 within the second chord are determined by looking at the immediately
603 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center]
610 @cindex @code{\notes}
612 The pitch after the @code{\relative} contains a note name. To parse
613 the pitch as a note name, you have to be in note mode, so there must
614 be a surrounding @code{\notes} keyword (which is not
617 The relative conversion will not affect @code{\transpose},
618 @code{\chords} or @code{\relative} sections in its argument. If you
619 want to use relative within transposed music, you must place an
620 additional @code{\relative} inside the @code{\transpose}.
624 @subsection Bar check
628 @cindex @code{barCheckSynchronize}
632 Whenever a bar check is encountered during interpretation, a warning
633 message is issued if it does not fall at a measure boundary. This can
634 help find errors in the input. Depending on the value of
635 @code{barCheckSynchronize}, the beginning of the measure will be
636 relocated. A bar check is entered using the bar symbol, `@code{|}'.
639 \time 3/4 c2 e4 | g2.
644 @cindex skipTypesetting
646 Failed bar checks are caused by entering incorrect
647 durations. Incorrect durations often completely garble up the score,
648 especially if it is polyphonic, so you should start correcting the
649 score by scanning for failed bar checks and incorrect durations. To
650 speed up this process, you can use @code{skipTypesetting}, described
653 @node Skipping corrected music
654 @subsection Skipping corrected music
656 The property @code{Score.skipTypesetting} can be used to switch on and
657 off typesetting completely during the interpretation phase. When
658 typesetting is switched off, the music is processed much more quickly.
659 This can be used to skip over the parts of a score that have already
660 been checked for errors.
662 @lilypond[fragment,singleline,verbatim]
664 \property Score.skipTypesetting = ##t
666 \property Score.skipTypesetting = ##f
670 @node Automatic note splitting
671 @subsection Automatic note splitting
673 Long notes can be converted automatically to tied notes. This is done
674 by replacing the @internalsref{Note_heads_engraver} by the
675 @internalsref{Completion_heads_engraver}.
678 \paper @{ \translator @{
680 \remove "Note_heads_engraver"
681 \consists "Completion_heads_engraver"
688 c2. c8 d4 e f g a b c8 c2 b4 a g16 f4 e d c8. c2
695 c2. c8 d4 e f g a b c8 c2 b4 a g16 f4 e d c8. c2
697 \paper { \translator {
699 \remove "Note_heads_engraver"
700 \consists "Completion_heads_engraver"
705 This engraver splits all running notes at the bar line, and inserts
706 ties. One of its uses is to debug complex scores: if the measures are
707 not entirely filled, then the ties exactly show how much each measure
712 Not all durations (especially those containing tuplets) can be
713 represented exactly; the engraver will not insert tuplets.
719 @section Staff notation
721 This section describes with music notation that occurs on staff level,
722 such as keys, clefs and time signatures.
724 @cindex Staff notation
737 @subsection Staff symbol
739 @cindex adjusting staff symbol
740 @cindex StaffSymbol, using \property
741 @cindex staff lines, setting number of
743 Notes, dynamic signs, etc. are grouped
744 with a set of horizontal lines, into a staff (plural `staves'). In our
745 system, these lines are drawn using a separate layout object called
748 This object is created whenever a @internalsref{Staff} context is
749 created. The appearance of the staff symbol cannot be changed by
750 using @code{\override} or @code{\set}. At the moment that
751 @code{\property Staff} is interpreted, a @internalsref{Staff} context
752 is made, and the @internalsref{StaffSymbol} is created before any
753 @code{\override} is effective. Properties can be changed in a
754 @code{\translator} definition, or by using @code{\outputproperty}.
758 If a staff is ended halfway a piece, the staff symbol may not end
759 exactly on the barline.
763 @subsection Key signature
764 @cindex Key signature
768 The key signature indicates the scale in which a piece is played. It
769 is denoted by a set of alterations (flats or sharps) at the start of
774 Setting or changing the key signature is done with the @code{\key}
777 @code{\key} @var{pitch} @var{type}
780 @cindex @code{\minor}
781 @cindex @code{\major}
782 @cindex @code{\minor}
783 @cindex @code{\ionian}
784 @cindex @code{\locrian}
785 @cindex @code{\aeolian}
786 @cindex @code{\mixolydian}
787 @cindex @code{\lydian}
788 @cindex @code{\phrygian}
789 @cindex @code{\dorian}
791 Here, @var{type} should be @code{\major} or @code{\minor} to get
792 @var{pitch}-major or @var{pitch}-minor, respectively.
793 The standard mode names @code{\ionian},
794 @code{\locrian}, @code{\aeolian}, @code{\mixolydian}, @code{\lydian},
795 @code{\phrygian}, and @code{\dorian} are also defined.
797 This command sets the context property
798 @internalsref{Staff}.@code{keySignature}. Non-standard key signatures
799 can be specified by setting this property directly.
803 The ordering of a key restoration (alterations that change back to
804 natural) is wrong when combined with a repeat barline.
808 @internalsref{KeyChangeEvent}, @internalsref{KeySignature}.
810 @cindex @code{keySignature}
817 The clef indicates which lines of the staff correspond to which
822 The clef can be set or changed with the @code{\clef} command:
823 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
824 \key f\major c''2 \clef alto g'2
827 Supported clef-names include
828 @c Moved standard clefs to the top /MB
830 @item treble, violin, G, G2
839 G clef on 1st line, so-called French violin clef
854 By adding @code{_8} or @code{^8} to the clef name, the clef is
855 transposed one octave down or up, respectively. @var{clefname} must
856 be enclosed in quotes when it contains underscores or digits. For
862 This command is equivalent to setting @code{clefGlyph},
863 @code{clefPosition} (which controls the Y position of the clef),
864 @code{centralCPosition} and @code{clefOctavation}. A clef is printed
865 when any of these properties are changed.
869 The object for this symbol is @internalsref{Clef}.
873 @node Ottava brackets
874 @subsection Ottava brackets
876 ``Ottava'' brackets introduce an extra transposition of an octave for
877 the staff. They are created by invoking the function
878 @code{set-octavation}
884 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment]
893 Internally the @code{set-octavation} sets @code{ottavation} (eg. to
894 @code{"8va"}) and @code{centralCPosition} properties.
898 @internalsref{OttavaBracket}
902 @code{set-octavation} will get confused when clef changes happen
903 during an octavation bracket.
906 @subsection Time signature
907 @cindex Time signature
911 Time signature indicates the metrum of a piece: a regular pattern of
912 strong and weak beats. It is denoted by a fraction at the start of the
917 The time signature is set or changed by the @code{\time}
919 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
920 \time 2/4 c'2 \time 3/4 c'2.
923 The actual symbol that is printed can be customized with the
924 @code{style} property. Setting it to @code{#'()} uses fraction style
925 for 4/4 and 2/2 time. There are many more options for its layout.
926 See @inputfileref{input/test,time.ly} for more examples.
929 This command sets the property @code{timeSignatureFraction},
930 @code{beatLength} and @code{measureLength} in the @code{Timing}
931 context, which is normally aliased to @internalsref{Score}. The
932 property @code{timeSignatureFraction} determines where bar lines
933 should be inserted, and how automatic beams should be generated.
934 Changing the value of @code{timeSignatureFraction} also causes the
935 symbol to be printed.
937 More options are available through the Scheme function
938 @code{set-time-signature}. In combination with the
939 @internalsref{Measure_grouping_engraver}, it will create
940 @internalsref{MeasureGrouping} signs. Such signs ease reading
941 rhythmically complex modern music. In the following example, the 9/8
942 measure is subdivided in 2, 2, 2 and 3. This is passed to
943 @code{set-time-signature} as the third argument @code{(2 2 2 3)}.
946 \score { \notes \relative c'' {
947 #(set-time-signature 9 8 '(2 2 2 3))
948 g8-[ g-] d-[ d-] g-[ g-] a8-[-( bes g-]-) |
949 #(set-time-signature 5 8 '(3 2))
954 \translator { \StaffContext
955 \consists "Measure_grouping_engraver"
961 @internalsref{TimeSignature}, @internalsref{Timing_engraver}.
966 Automatic beaming does not use measure grouping specified with
967 @code{set-time-signature}.
974 @cindex partial measure
975 @cindex measure, partial
976 @cindex shorten measures
977 @cindex @code{\partial}
979 Partial measures, for example in upbeats, are entered using the
980 @code{\partial} command:
981 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
982 \partial 16*5 c'16 c4 f16 a'2. ~ a'8. a'16 | g'1
985 The syntax for this command is
987 \partial @var{duration}
989 This is internally translated into
991 \property Timing.measurePosition = -@var{length of duration}
994 The property @code{measurePosition} contains a rational number
995 indicating how much of the measure has passed at this point.
997 @node Unmetered music
998 @subsection Unmetered music
1000 Bar lines and bar numbers are calculated automatically. For unmetered
1001 music (e.g. cadenzas), this is not desirable. By setting
1002 @code{Score.timing} to false, this automatic timing can be switched
1008 @refcommand cadenzaOn
1009 @refcommand cadenzaOff
1012 @subsection Bar lines
1016 @cindex measure lines
1020 Bar lines delimit measures, but are also used to indicate
1021 repeats. Line breaks may only happen on barlines.
1025 Bar lines are inserted automatically. Special types
1026 of barlines can be forced with the @code{\bar} command:
1027 @lilypond[relative=1,fragment,verbatim]
1031 The following bar types are available
1032 @lilypond[fragment, relative, singleline, verbatim]
1044 In scores with many staves, the barlines are automatically placed at
1045 top level, and they are connected between different staves of a
1046 @internalsref{StaffGroup}:
1047 @lilypond[fragment, verbatim]
1048 < \context StaffGroup <
1049 \context Staff = up { e'4 d'
1052 \context Staff = down { \clef bass c4 g e g } >
1053 \context Staff = pedal { \clef bass c2 c2 } >
1057 The command @code{\bar @var{bartype}} is a short cut for
1058 doing @code{\property Score.whichBar = @var{bartype}}
1059 Whenever @code{whichBar} is set to a string, a bar line of that type is
1060 created. @code{whichBar} is usually set automatically: at the start of
1061 a measure it is set to @code{defaultBarType}. The contents of
1062 @code{repeatCommands} is used to override default measure bars.
1064 @code{whichBar} can also be set directly, using @code{\property} or
1065 @code{\bar }. These settings take precedence over the automatic
1066 @code{whichBar} settings.
1069 @cindex repeatCommands
1070 @cindex defaultBarType
1072 You are encouraged to use @code{\repeat} for repetitions. See
1082 The bar line objects that are created at @internalsref{Staff} level
1083 are called @internalsref{BarLine}, the bar lines that span staffs are
1084 @internalsref{SpanBar}s.
1091 The easiest way to enter fragments with more than one voice on a staff
1092 is to split chords using the separator @code{\\}. You can use it for
1093 small, short-lived voices or for single chords:
1095 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment]
1096 \context Voice = VA \relative c'' {
1097 c4 < { f d e } \\ { b c2 } > c4 < g' \\ b, \\ f' \\ d' >
1101 The separator causes @internalsref{Voice} contexts to be instantiated,
1102 bearing the names @code{"1"}, @code{"2"}, etc. In each of these
1103 contexts, vertical direction of slurs, stems, etc. are set
1106 This can also be done by instantiating @internalsref{Voice} contexts
1107 by hand, and using @code{\voiceOne}, up to @code{\voiceFour} to assign
1108 a stem directions and horizontal shift for each part.
1111 @lilypond[singleline, verbatim]
1113 \context Staff < \context Voice = VA { \voiceOne cis2 b }
1114 \context Voice = VB { \voiceThree b4 ais ~ ais4 gis4 }
1115 \context Voice = VC { \voiceTwo fis4~ fis4 f ~ f } >
1118 Normally, note heads with a different number of dots are not merged, but
1119 when the object property @code{merge-differently-dotted} is set in
1120 the @internalsref{NoteCollision} object, they are:
1121 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment,singleline]
1122 \relative c'' \context Voice < {
1124 \property Staff.NoteCollision \override
1125 #'merge-differently-dotted = ##t
1127 } \\ { g8.-[ f16-] g8.-[ f16-] }
1131 Similarly, you can merge half note heads with eighth notes, by setting
1132 @code{merge-differently-headed}:
1133 @lilypond[fragment, relative=2,verbatim]
1136 \property Staff.NoteCollision
1137 \override #'merge-differently-headed = ##t
1138 c8 c4. } \\ { c2 c2 } >
1141 LilyPond also vertically shifts rests that are opposite of a stem.
1144 @lilypond[singleline,fragment,verbatim]
1145 \context Voice < c''4 \\ r4 >
1153 @refcommand oneVoice
1154 @refcommand voiceOne
1155 @refcommand voiceTwo
1156 @refcommand voiceThree
1157 @refcommand voiceFour
1159 The following commands specify in what chords of the current voice
1160 should be shifted: the outer voice has @code{\shiftOff}, and the inner
1161 voices have @code{\shiftOn}, @code{\shiftOnn}, etc.
1165 @refcommand shiftOnn
1166 @refcommand shiftOnnn
1167 @refcommand shiftOff
1173 The objects responsible for resolving collisions are
1174 @internalsref{NoteCollision} and @internalsref{RestCollision}. See
1175 also example files @inputfileref{input/regression,collision-dots.ly},
1176 @inputfileref{input/regression,collision-head-chords.ly},
1177 @inputfileref{input/regression,collision-heads.ly},
1178 @inputfileref{input/regression,collision-mesh.ly}, and
1179 @inputfileref{input/regression,collisions.ly}.
1184 Resolving collisions is a intricate subject, and only a few situations
1185 are handled. When LilyPond cannot cope, the @code{force-hshift}
1186 property of the @internalsref{NoteColumn} object and pitched rests can
1187 be used to override typesetting decisions.
1192 Beams are used to group short notes into chunks that are aligned with
1193 the metrum. They are inserted automatically in most cases.
1195 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim, relative=2]
1196 \time 2/4 c8 c c c \time 6/8 c c c c8. c16 c8
1199 When these automatic decisions are not good enough, beaming can be
1200 entered explicitly. It is also possible to define beaming patterns
1201 that differ from the defaults.
1205 @internalsref{Beam}.
1208 @cindex Automatic beams
1209 @subsection Manual beams
1210 @cindex beams, manual
1214 In some cases it may be necessary to override the automatic beaming
1215 algorithm. For example, the auto beamer will not beam over rests or
1216 bar lines, If you want that, specify the begin and end point manually
1217 using @code{[} and @code{]}.
1219 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
1221 r4 r8-[ g' a r8-] r8 g-[ | a-] r8
1225 @cindex @code{stemLeftBeamCount}
1227 Normally, beaming patterns within a beam are determined automatically.
1228 When this mechanism fouls up, the properties
1229 @code{Voice.stemLeftBeamCount} and @code{Voice.stemRightBeamCount} can
1230 be used to control the beam subdivision on a stem. If either property
1231 is set, its value will be used only once, and then it is erased.
1233 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
1236 f8-[ r16 \property Voice.stemLeftBeamCount = #1 f g a-]
1239 @cindex @code{stemRightBeamCount}
1242 The property @code{subdivideBeams} can be set in order to subdivide
1243 all 16th or shorter beams at beat positions. This accomplishes the
1244 same effect as twiddling with @code{stemLeftBeamCount} and
1245 @code{stemRightBeamCount}, but it take less typing.
1248 @lilypond[relative=1,verbatim,noindent]
1249 c16-[ c c c c c c c-]
1250 \property Voice.subdivideBeams = ##t
1251 c16-[ c c c c c c c-]
1252 \property Score.beatLength = #(ly:make-moment 1 8)
1253 c16-[ c c c c c c c-]
1255 @cindex subdivideBeams
1257 Kneed beams are inserted automatically, when a large gap is detected
1258 between the note heads. This behavior can be tuned through the object
1259 property @code{auto-knee-gap}.
1261 @cindex beams, kneed
1263 @cindex auto-knee-gap
1271 Automatically kneed beams cannot be used together with Hara Kiri
1276 * Setting automatic beam behavior ::
1280 @no de Beam typography
1281 @sub section Beam typography
1283 One of the strong points of LilyPond is how beams are formatted. Beams
1284 are quantized, meaning that the left and right endpoints beams start
1285 exactly on staff lines. Without quantization, small wedges of white
1286 space appear between the beam and staff line, and this looks untidy.
1288 Beams are also slope-damped: melodies that go up or down should also
1289 have beams that go up or down, but the slope of the beams should be
1290 less than the slope of the notes themselves.
1292 Some beams should be horizontal. These are so-called concave beams.
1294 [TODO: some pictures.]
1298 @node Setting automatic beam behavior
1299 @subsection Setting automatic beam behavior
1301 @cindex @code{autoBeamSettings}
1302 @cindex @code{(end * * * *)}
1303 @cindex @code{(begin * * * *)}
1304 @cindex automatic beams, tuning
1305 @cindex tuning automatic beaming
1307 @c [TODO: use \applycontext]
1309 In normal time signatures, automatic beams can start on any note but can
1310 only end in a few positions within the measure: beams can end on a beat,
1311 or at durations specified by the properties in
1312 @code{Voice.autoBeamSettings}. The defaults for @code{autoBeamSettings}
1313 are defined in @file{scm/auto-beam.scm}.
1315 The value of @code{autoBeamSettings} is changed using
1316 @code{\override} and unset using @code{\revert}:
1318 \property Voice.autoBeamSettings \override #'(@var{BE} @var{P} @var{Q} @var{N} @var{M}) = @var{dur}
1319 \property Voice.autoBeamSettings \revert #'(@var{BE} @var{P} @var{Q} @var{N} @var{M})
1321 Here, @var{BE} is the symbol @code{begin} or @code{end}. It determines
1322 whether the rule applies to begin or end-points. The quantity
1323 @var{P}/@var{Q} refers to the length of the beamed notes (and `@code{*
1324 *}' designates notes of any length), @var{N}/@var{M} refers to a time
1325 signature (wildcards, `@code{* *}' may be entered to designate all time
1328 For example, if automatic beams should end on every quarter note, use
1331 \property Voice.autoBeamSettings \override
1332 #'(end * * * *) = #(ly:make-moment 1 4)
1334 Since the duration of a quarter note is 1/4 of a whole note, it is
1335 entered as @code{(ly:make-moment 1 4)}.
1337 The same syntax can be used to specify beam starting points. In this
1338 example, automatic beams can only end on a dotted quarter note.
1340 \property Voice.autoBeamSettings \override
1341 #'(end * * * *) = #(ly:make-moment 3 8)
1343 In 4/4 time signature, this means that automatic beams could end only on
1344 3/8 and on the fourth beat of the measure (after 3/4, that is 2 times
1345 3/8 has passed within the measure).
1347 Rules can also be restricted to specific time signatures. A rule that
1348 should only be applied in @var{N}/@var{M} time signature is formed by
1349 replacing the second asterisks by @var{N} and @var{M}. For example, a
1350 rule for 6/8 time exclusively looks like
1352 \property Voice.autoBeamSettings \override
1353 #'(begin * * 6 8) = ...
1356 If a rule should be to applied only to certain types of beams, use the
1357 first pair of asterisks. Beams are classified according to the
1358 shortest note they contain. For a beam ending rule that only applies
1359 to beams with 32nd notes (and no shorter notes), use @code{(end 1 32 *
1362 If a score ends while an automatic beam has not been ended and is still
1363 accepting notes, this last beam will not be typeset at all.
1365 @cindex automatic beam generation
1367 @cindex @code{Voice.autoBeaming}
1370 For melodies that have lyrics, you may want to switch off
1371 automatic beaming. This is done by setting @code{Voice.autoBeaming} to
1376 @refcommand autoBeamOff
1377 @refcommand autoBeamOn
1382 It is not possible to specify beaming parameters for beams with mixed
1383 durations, that differ from the beaming parameters of all separate
1384 durations, i.e., you will have to specify manual beams to get:
1386 @lilypond[singleline,fragment,relative,noverbatim,quote]
1387 \property Voice.autoBeamSettings
1388 \override #'(end * * * *) = #(ly:make-moment 3 8)
1389 \time 12/8 c'8 c c c16 c c c c c c-[ c c c-] c8 c c4
1391 It is not possible to specify beaming parameters that act differently in
1392 different parts of a measure. This means that it is not possible to use
1393 automatic beaming in irregular meters such as @code{5/8}.
1396 @section Accidentals
1399 This section describes how to change the way that LilyPond automatically
1400 inserts accidentals before the running notes.
1404 * Using the predefined accidental variables::
1405 * Customized accidental rules::
1408 @node Using the predefined accidental variables
1409 @subsection Using the predefined accidental variables
1411 The constructs for describing the accidental typesetting rules are
1412 quite hairy, so non-experts should stick to the variables
1413 defined in @file{ly/property-init.ly}.
1414 @cindex @file{property-init.ly}
1416 The variables set properties in the ``Current'' context (see
1417 @ref{Context properties}). This means that the variables should
1418 normally be added right after the creation of the context in which the
1419 accidental typesetting described by the variable is to take
1420 effect. For example, if you want to use piano-accidentals in a piano
1421 staff then issue @code{\pianoAccidentals} first thing after the
1422 creation of the piano staff:
1425 \notes \relative c'' <
1426 \context Staff = sa @{ cis4 d e2 @}
1427 \context GrandStaff <
1429 \context Staff = sb @{ cis4 d e2 @}
1430 \context Staff = sc @{ es2 c @}
1432 \context Staff = sd @{ es2 c @}
1436 @lilypond[singleline]
1438 \notes \relative c'' <
1439 \context Staff = sa { cis4 d e2 }
1440 \context GrandStaff <
1442 \context Staff = sb { cis4 d e2 }
1443 \context Staff = sc { es2 c }
1445 \context Staff = sd { es2 c }
1450 minimumVerticalExtent = #'(-4.0 . 4.0)
1458 @item \defaultAccidentals
1459 @cindex @code{\defaultAccidentals}
1460 This is the default typesetting behaviour. It should correspond
1461 to 18th century common practice: Accidentals are
1462 remembered to the end of the measure in which they occur and
1463 only on their own octave.
1465 @item \voiceAccidentals
1466 @cindex @code{\voiceAccidentals}
1468 The normal behaviour is to
1469 remember the accidentals on Staff-level. This variable, however,
1470 typesets accidentals individually for each voice. Apart from that the
1471 rule is similar to @code{\defaultAccidentals}.
1473 This leads to some weird and often unwanted results
1474 because accidentals from one voice do not get cancelled in other
1476 @lilypond[singleline,relative,fragment,verbatim,quote]
1484 Hence you should only use @code{\voiceAccidentals} if the voices
1485 are to be read solely by individual musicians. If the staff is to be
1486 used by one musician (e.g., a conductor) then you use
1487 @code{\modernVoiceAccidentals} or @code{\modernVoiceCautionaries}
1490 @item \modernAccidentals
1491 @cindex @code{\modernAccidentals}
1492 This rule corresponds to the common practice in the 20th
1494 The rule is more complex than @code{\defaultAccidentals}.
1495 You get all the same accidentals, but temporary
1496 accidentals also get cancelled in other octaves. Further more,
1497 in the same octave, they also get cancelled in the following measure:
1498 @lilypond[singleline,fragment,verbatim]
1500 cis' c'' cis'2 | c'' c'
1503 @item \modernCautionaries
1504 @cindex @code{\modernCautionaries}
1505 This rule is similar to @code{\modernAccidentals}, but the
1506 ``extra'' accidentals (the ones not typeset by
1507 @code{\defaultAccidentals}) are typeset as cautionary accidentals
1508 (i.e. in reduced size):
1509 @lilypond[singleline,fragment,verbatim]
1511 cis' c'' cis'2 | c'' c'
1514 @cindex @code{\modernVoiceAccidentals}
1515 @item \modernVoiceAccidentals
1516 is used for multivoice accidentals to be read both by musicians
1517 playing one voice and musicians playing all voices. Accidentals are
1518 typeset for each voice, but they @emph{are} cancelled across voices in
1519 the same @internalsref{Staff}.
1521 @cindex @code{\modernVoiceCautionaries}
1522 @item \modernVoiceCautionaries
1523 is the same as @code{\modernVoiceAccidentals}, but with the extra
1524 accidentals (the ones not typeset by @code{\voiceAccidentals}) typeset
1525 as cautionaries. Even though all accidentals typeset by
1526 @code{\defaultAccidentals} @emph{are} typeset by this variable then
1527 some of them are typeset as cautionaries.
1529 @item \pianoAccidentals
1530 @cindex @code{\pianoAccidentals}
1531 20th century practice for piano notation. Very similar to
1532 @code{\modernAccidentals} but accidentals also get cancelled
1533 across the staves in the same @internalsref{GrandStaff} or
1534 @internalsref{PianoStaff}.
1536 @item \pianoCautionaries
1537 @cindex @code{\pianoCautionaries}
1538 As @code{\pianoAccidentals} but with the extra accidentals
1539 typeset as cautionaries.
1542 @cindex @code{\noResetKey}
1543 Same as @code{\defaultAccidentals} but with accidentals lasting
1544 ``forever'' and not only until the next measure:
1545 @lilypond[singleline,fragment,verbatim,relative]
1550 @item \forgetAccidentals
1551 @cindex @code{\forgetAccidentals}
1552 This is sort of the opposite of @code{\noResetKey}: Accidentals
1553 are not remembered at all - and hence all accidentals are
1554 typeset relative to the key signature, regardless of what was
1555 before in the music:
1556 @lilypond[singleline,fragment,verbatim,relative]
1558 \key d\major c4 c cis cis d d dis dis
1562 @node Customized accidental rules
1563 @subsection Customized accidental rules
1565 This section must be considered gurus-only, and hence it must be
1566 sufficient with a short description of the system and a reference to
1567 the internal documentation.
1569 The algorithm tries several different rules, and uses the rule
1570 that gives the highest number of accidentals. Each rule consists of
1573 In which context is the rule applied. For example, if
1574 @var{context} is @internalsref{Score} then all staves share
1575 accidentals, and if @var{context} is @internalsref{Staff} then all
1576 voices in the same staff share accidentals, but staves do not.
1578 Whether the accidental changes all octaves or only the current
1581 Over how many barlines the accidental lasts.
1582 If @var{lazyness} is @code{-1} then the accidental is forget
1583 immediately, and if @var{lazyness} is @code{#t} then the accidental
1586 @c [TODO: should use +infinity for this case?]
1592 @refcommand defaultAccidentals
1593 @refcommand voiceAccidentals
1594 @refcommand modernAccidentals
1595 @refcommand modernCautionaries
1596 @refcommand modernVoiceAccidentals
1597 @refcommand modernVoiceCautionaries
1598 @refcommand pianoAccidentals
1599 @refcommand pianoCautionaries
1600 @refcommand noResetKey
1601 @refcommand forgetAccidentals
1605 @internalsref{Accidental_engraver}, @internalsref{Accidental},
1606 @internalsref{AccidentalPlacement}.
1611 Currently the simultaneous notes are considered to be entered in
1612 sequential mode. This means that in a chord the accidentals are
1613 typeset as if the notes in the chord happened one at a time - in the
1614 order in which they appear in the input file.
1616 This is only a problem when there are simultaneous notes whose
1617 accidentals depend on each other. The problem only occurs when using
1618 non-default accidentals. In the default scheme, accidentals only
1619 depend on other accidentals with the same pitch on the same staff, so
1620 no conflicts possible.
1622 This example shows two examples of the same music giving different
1623 accidentals depending on the order in which the notes occur in the
1626 @lilypond[singleline,fragment,verbatim]
1627 \property Staff.autoAccidentals = #'( Staff (any-octave . 0) )
1628 cis'4 <<c'' c'>> r2 | cis'4 <<c' c''>> r2
1629 | <<cis' c''>> r | <<c'' cis'>> r |
1632 This problem can be solved by manually inserting @code{!} and @code{?}
1633 for the problematic notes.
1635 @node Expressive marks
1636 @section Expressive marks
1644 * Analysis brackets::
1651 A slur indicates that notes are to be played bound or @emph{legato}.
1655 They are entered using parentheses:
1656 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center]
1657 f'-( g'-)-( a'-) a'8-[ b'-(-] a'4 g'2 f'4-)
1658 <<c' e'>>2-( <<b d'>>2-)
1662 @c TODO: should explain that ^( and _( set directions
1663 @c should set attachments with ^ and _ ?
1665 Slurs avoid crossing stems, and are generally attached to note heads.
1666 However, in some situations with beams, slurs may be attached to stem
1667 ends. If you want to override this layout you can do this through the
1668 object property @code{attachment} of @internalsref{Slur} in
1669 @internalsref{Voice} context. Its value is a pair of symbols, specifying
1670 the attachment type of the left and right end points.
1672 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
1674 \property Voice.Stem \set #'length = #5.5
1676 \property Voice.Slur \set #'attachment = #'(stem . stem)
1680 If a slur would strike through a stem or beam, the slur will be moved
1681 away upward or downward. If this happens, attaching the slur to the
1682 stems might look better:
1684 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
1687 \property Voice.Slur \set #'attachment = #'(stem . stem)
1695 @refcommand slurDown
1696 @refcommand slurBoth
1697 @refcommand slurDotted
1698 @refcommand slurSolid
1702 @seeinternals{Slur}, @internalsref{SlurEvent}.
1707 Producing nice slurs is a difficult problem, and LilyPond currently
1708 uses a simple, empiric method to produce slurs. In some cases, the
1709 results of this method are ugly.
1712 @cindex Adjusting slurs
1714 @node Phrasing slurs
1715 @subsection Phrasing slurs
1717 @cindex phrasing slurs
1718 @cindex phrasing marks
1720 A phrasing slur (or phrasing mark) connects chords and is used to
1721 indicate a musical sentence. It is started using @code{\(} and @code{\)}
1724 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center,relative]
1725 \time 6/4 c'-\( d-( e-) f-( e-) d-\)
1728 Typographically, the phrasing slur behaves almost exactly like a
1729 normal slur. However, they are treated as different objects. A
1730 @code{\slurUp} will have no effect on a phrasing slur; instead, you
1731 should use @code{\phrasingSlurUp}, @code{\phrasingSlurDown}, and
1732 @code{\phrasingSlurBoth}.
1734 The commands @code{\slurUp}, @code{\slurDown}, and @code{\slurBoth}
1735 will only affect normal slurs and not phrasing slurs.
1739 @refcommand phrasingSlurUp
1740 @refcommand phrasingSlurDown
1741 @refcommand phrasingSlurBoth
1745 See also @internalsref{PhrasingSlur},
1746 @internalsref{PhrasingSlurEvent}.
1750 Phrasing slurs have the same limitations in their formatting as normal
1751 slurs. Putting phrasing slurs over rests leads to spurious warnings.
1754 @subsection Breath marks
1756 Breath marks are entered using @code{\breathe}.
1759 @lilypond[fragment,relative]
1763 The glyph of the breath mark can be tweaked by overriding the
1764 @code{text} property of the @code{BreathingSign} layout object with the name of
1765 any glyph of @ref{The Feta font}. For example,
1766 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,relative]
1768 \property Voice.BreathingSign \override #'text = #"scripts-rvarcomma"
1775 @internalsref{BreathingSign}, @internalsref{BreathingSignEvent},
1776 @inputfileref{input/regression,breathing-sign.ly}.
1779 @node Metronome marks
1780 @subsection Metronome marks
1783 @cindex beats per minute
1784 @cindex metronome marking
1786 Metronome settings can be entered as follows:
1788 \tempo @var{duration} = @var{perminute}
1791 In the MIDI output, they are interpreted as a tempo change, and in the
1792 paper output, a metronome marking is printed
1793 @cindex @code{\tempo}
1794 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
1800 @internalsref{TempoEvent}
1805 @subsection Text spanners
1806 @cindex Text spanners
1808 Some performance indications, e.g. @i{rallentando} or @i{accelerando},
1809 are written as texts, and extended over many measures with dotted
1810 lines. You can create such texts using text spanners: attach
1811 @code{\startTextSpan} and @code{\stopTextSpan} to the
1812 start and ending note of the spanner.
1814 The string to be printed, as well as the style, is set through object
1817 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
1819 \property Voice.TextSpanner \set #'direction = #-1
1820 \property Voice.TextSpanner \set #'edge-text = #'("rall " . "")
1821 c2-\startTextSpan b c-\stopTextSpan a }
1827 @internalsref{TextSpanEvent},
1828 @internalsref{TextSpanner}, @inputfileref{input/regression,text-spanner.ly}.
1831 @node Analysis brackets
1832 @subsection Analysis brackets
1834 @cindex phrasing brackets
1835 @cindex musicological analysis
1836 @cindex note grouping bracket
1838 Brackets are used in musical analysis to indicate structure in musical
1839 pieces. LilyPond supports a simple form of nested horizontal brackets.
1840 To use this, add the @internalsref{Horizontal_bracket_engraver} to
1841 @internalsref{Staff} context. A bracket is started with
1842 @code{\startGroup} and closed with @code{\stopGroup}.
1844 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim]
1845 \score { \notes \relative c'' {
1846 c4-\startGroup-\startGroup
1849 c4-\stopGroup-\stopGroup
1851 \paper { \translator {
1852 \StaffContext \consists "Horizontal_bracket_engraver"
1858 @internalsref{HorizontalBracket}, @internalsref{NoteGroupingEvent},
1859 @inputfileref{input/regression,note-group-bracket.ly}.
1863 Bracket endings should be angled/slanted. (TODO)
1870 @section Articulations
1871 @cindex Articulations
1873 @cindex articulations
1877 A variety of symbols can appear above and below notes to indicate
1878 different characteristics of the performance. They are added to a note
1879 by adding a dash and the character signifying the
1880 articulation. They are demonstrated here.
1882 @lilypondfile[notexidoc]{script-abbreviations.ly}
1884 The script is automatically placed, but if you need to force
1885 directions, you can use @code{_} to force them down, or @code{^} to
1887 @lilypond[fragment, verbatim]
1894 Other symbols can be added using the syntax
1895 @var{note}@code{-\}@var{name}. Again, they can be forced up or down
1896 using @code{^} and @code{_}.
1900 @cindex staccatissimo
1909 @cindex organ pedal marks
1918 @cindex prallmordent
1922 @cindex thumb marking
1927 @lilypondfile[notexidoc]{script-chart.ly}
1932 @refcommand scriptUp
1933 @refcommand scriptDown
1934 @refcommand scriptBoth
1938 @internalsref{ScriptEvent}, @internalsref{Script}.
1942 All of these note ornaments appear in the printed output but have no
1943 effect on the MIDI rendering of the music.
1946 @node Fingering instructions
1947 @section Fingering instructions
1951 Fingering instructions can be entered using
1953 @var{note}-@var{digit}
1955 For finger changes, use markup texts:
1957 @lilypond[verbatim, singleline, fragment]
1958 c'4-1 c'4-2 c'4-3 c'4-4
1959 c'^\markup { \fontsize #-3 \number "2-3" }
1962 @cindex finger change
1967 You can use the thumb-script to indicate that a note should be
1968 played with your thumb (used in cello music):
1970 @lilypond[verbatim, singleline, fragmnt]
1971 <<a' a''-3>>8-(_\thumb-[ <<b' b''-3>>-)_\thumb
1972 <<c'' c'''-3>>-(_\thumb <<d'' d'''-3>>-)_\thumb-]
1975 Fingering for chords can be notated like this:
1977 @lilypond[verbatim,singleline,fragment,relative=1]
1978 << c-1 e-2 g-3 b-5 >> 4
1979 \property Voice.fingerHorizontalDirection = #LEFT
1980 << c-1 es-3 g-5 >> 4
1981 \property Voice.fingerHorizontalDirection = #RIGHT
1982 << c-1 e-2 g-3 b-5 >>4
1983 \property Voice.fingerHorizontalDirection = #LEFT
1984 << c_1 e-2 g-3 b^5 >>4
1989 @internalsref{FingerEvent} and @internalsref{Fingering}.
2000 @subsection Text scripts
2001 @cindex Text scripts
2003 It is possible to place arbitrary strings of text or markup text (see
2004 @ref{Text markup}) above or below notes by using a string:
2005 @code{c^"text"}. By default, these indications do not influence the
2006 note spacing, but by using the command @code{\fatText}, the widths
2007 will be taken into account.
2009 @lilypond[fragment,singleline,verbatim] \relative c' {
2010 c4^"longtext" \fatText c4_"longlongtext" c4 }
2013 It is possible to use @TeX{} commands in the strings, but this should be
2014 avoided because it makes it impossible for LilyPond to compute the
2015 exact length of the string, which may lead to collisions. Also, @TeX{}
2016 commands will not work with direct PostScript output.
2021 @internalsref{TextScriptEvent}, @internalsref{TextScript},
2027 @subsection Grace notes
2029 @cindex @code{\grace}
2033 Grace notes are ornaments that are written out
2035 @lilypond[relative=2,verbatim,fragment] c4 \grace c16 c4 \grace {
2039 In normal notation, grace notes take up no logical
2040 time in a measure. Such an idea is practical for normal notation, but
2041 is not strict enough to put it into a program. The model that LilyPond
2042 uses for grace notes internally is that all timing is done in two
2045 Every point in musical time consists of two rational numbers: one
2046 denotes the logical time, one denotes the grace timing. The above
2047 example is shown here with timing tuples.
2050 \score { \notes \relative c''{
2051 c4^"(0,0)" \grace c16_" "_"(1/4,-1/16)" c4^"(1/4,0)" \grace {
2052 c16_"(2/4,-1/8)"-[ d16^"(2/4,-1/16)" ] } c4_" "_"(2/4,0)"
2054 \paper { linewidth = 8.\cm }
2059 The placement of these grace notes is synchronized between different
2062 @lilypond[relative=2,verbatim,fragment]
2063 < \context Staff = SA { e4 \grace { c16-[ d e f-] } e4 }
2064 \context Staff = SB { c'4 \grace { g8 b } c4 } >
2068 Unbeamed eighth notes and shorter by default have a slash through the
2069 stem. This can be controlled with object property @code{stroke-style} of
2070 @internalsref{Stem}. For proper matching of override and reverts of
2071 such properties, it is necessary to use a Scheme function.
2073 The following fragment overrides the default formatting Grace style stems.
2075 #(add-to-grace-init "Voice" 'Stem 'stroke-style '())
2078 The @code{\override} is carefully matched with a @code{\revert}.
2083 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
2084 \relative c'' \context Voice {
2085 \grace c8 c4 \grace { c16-[ c16-] } c4
2087 \property Voice.Stem \override #'stroke-style = #'()
2089 \property Voice.Stem \revert #'stroke-style
2094 If you want to end a note with a grace note, then the standard trick
2095 is to put the grace notes before a phantom ``space note'', e.g.
2096 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim, relative=2]
2099 { s2 \grace { c16-[ d-] } } >
2104 A @code{\grace} section has some default values, and LilyPond will
2105 use those default values unless you specify otherwise inside the
2106 @code{\grace} section. For example, if you specify \slurUp
2107 @emph{before} your @code{\grace} section, a slur which starts inside
2108 the @code{\grace} will not be forced up, even if the slur ends outside
2109 of the @code{\grace}. Note the difference between the first and
2110 second bars in this example:
2112 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
2113 \relative c'' \context Voice {
2131 @internalsref{GraceMusic}.
2135 Grace notes cannot be used in the smallest size (@file{paper11.ly}).
2137 A score that starts with an @code{\grace} section needs an explicit
2138 @code{\context Voice} declaration, otherwise the main note and grace
2139 note end up on different staffs.
2141 Grace note synchronization can also lead to surprises. Staff notation,
2142 such as key signatures, barlines, etc. are also synchronized. Take
2143 care when you mix staves with grace notes and staves without.
2145 @lilypond[relative=2,verbatim,fragment]
2146 < \context Staff = SA { e4 \bar "|:" \grace c16 d4 }
2147 \context Staff = SB { c4 \bar "|:" d4 } >
2150 Grace sections should only be used within sequential music
2151 expressions. Nesting, juxtaposing, or ending sequential music with a
2152 grace section is not supported, and might produce crashes or other
2155 Overriding settings for grace music using @code{add-to-grace-init}
2156 cannot be done in a modular way.
2160 @subsection Glissando
2163 @cindex @code{\glissando}
2165 A glissando is a smooth change in pitch. It is denoted by a line or a
2166 wavy line between two notes.
2170 A glissando line can be requested by attaching a @code{\glissando} to
2173 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
2179 @internalsref{Glissando}, @internalsref{GlissandoEvent}.
2184 Printing of an additional text (such as @emph{gliss.}) must be done
2189 @subsection Dynamics
2202 @cindex @code{\ffff}
2212 Absolute dynamic marks are specified using an variable after a
2213 note: @code{c4-\ff}. The available dynamic marks are: @code{\ppp},
2214 @code{\pp}, @code{\p}, @code{\mp}, @code{\mf}, @code{\f}, @code{\ff},
2215 @code{\fff}, @code{\fff}, @code{\fp}, @code{\sf}, @code{\sff},
2216 @code{\sp}, @code{\spp}, @code{\sfz}, and @code{\rfz}.
2218 @lilypond[verbatim,singleline,fragment,relative]
2219 c'-\ppp c-\pp c -\p c-\mp c-\mf c-\f c-\ff c-\fff
2225 @cindex @code{\decr}
2226 @cindex @code{\rced}
2233 A crescendo mark is started with @code{\cr} and terminated with
2234 @code{\endcr}, and decrescendi similarly with @code{\decr} and
2235 @code{\enddecr}. There are also shorthands for these marks. A
2236 crescendo can be started with @code{\<} and a decrescendo can be
2237 started with @code{\>}. Either one can be terminated with @code{\!}.
2238 Because these marks are bound to notes, if you must use spacer notes
2239 if multiple marks during one note are needed.
2241 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center,quote]
2242 c''-\< c''-\! d''-\decr e''-\rced
2243 < f''1 { s4 s4-\< s4-\! \> s4-\! } >
2245 This may give rise to very short hairpins. Use @code{minimum-length}
2246 in @internalsref{Voice}.@internalsref{HairPin} to lengthen them, for
2250 \property Staff.Hairpin \override #'minimum-length = #5
2253 You can also use a text saying @emph{cresc.} instead of hairpins. Here
2254 is an example how to do it:
2256 @lilypond[fragment,relative=2,verbatim]
2257 c4 \cresc c4 \endcresc c4
2264 You can also supply your own texts:
2265 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
2267 \property Voice.crescendoText = "cresc. poco"
2268 \property Voice.crescendoSpanner = #'dashed-line
2278 @refcommand dynamicUp
2279 @refcommand dynamicDown
2280 @refcommand dynamicBoth
2282 @cindex direction, of dynamics
2286 @internalsref{CrescendoEvent}, @internalsref{DecrescendoEvent},
2287 @internalsref{AbsoluteDynamicEvent}.
2289 Dynamics are objects of @internalsref{DynamicText} and
2290 @internalsref{Hairpin}. Vertical positioning of these symbols is
2291 handled by the @internalsref{DynamicLineSpanner} object.
2293 If you want to adjust padding or vertical direction of the dynamics,
2294 you must set properties for the @internalsref{DynamicLineSpanner}
2303 @cindex @code{\repeat}
2306 Repetition is a central concept in music, and multiple notations exist
2307 for repetitions. In LilyPond, most of these notations can be captured
2308 in a uniform syntax. One of the advantages is, all these repetitions
2309 can be rendered in MIDI accurately.
2311 The following types of repetition are supported:
2315 Repeated music is fully written (played) out. Useful for MIDI
2316 output, and entering repetitive music.
2319 This is the normal notation: Repeats are not written out, but
2320 alternative endings (voltas) are printed, left to right.
2324 Alternative endings are written stacked. This has limited use but may be
2325 used to typeset two lines of lyrics in songs with repeats, see
2326 @inputfileref{input,star-spangled-banner.ly}.
2333 Make beat or measure repeats. These look like percent signs.
2339 * Repeats and MIDI::
2340 * Manual repeat commands::
2342 * Tremolo subdivisions::
2347 @subsection Repeat syntax
2351 LilyPond has one syntactic construct for specifying different types of
2352 repeats. The syntax is
2355 \repeat @var{variant} @var{repeatcount} @var{repeatbody}
2358 If you have alternative endings, you may add
2359 @cindex @code{\alternative}
2361 \alternative @code{@{} @var{alternative1}
2363 @var{alternative3} @dots{} @code{@}}
2365 where each @var{alternative} is a music expression. If you do not
2366 give enough alternatives for all of the repeats, then the first
2367 alternative is assumed to be played more than once.
2369 Normal notation repeats are used like this:
2370 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
2372 \repeat volta 2 { c'4 d' e' f' }
2373 \repeat volta 2 { f' e' d' c' }
2376 With alternative endings:
2377 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
2379 \repeat volta 2 {c'4 d' e' f'}
2380 \alternative { {d'2 d'} {f' f} }
2384 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
2388 \repeat volta 4 { e | c2 d2 | e2 f2 | }
2389 \alternative { { g4 g g } { a | a a a a | b2. } }
2396 If you do a nested repeat like
2405 then it is ambiguous to which @code{\repeat} the @code{\alternative}
2406 belongs. This ambiguity is resolved by always having the
2407 @code{\alternative} belong to the inner @code{\repeat}. For clarity,
2408 it is advisable to use braces in such situations.
2411 @node Repeats and MIDI
2412 @subsection Repeats and MIDI
2414 @cindex expanding repeats
2416 For instructions on how to unfold repeats for MIDI output, see the
2417 example file @inputfileref{input/test,unfold-all-repeats.ly}.
2422 Timing information is not remembered at the start of an alternative,
2423 so you have to reset timing information after a repeat, e.g. using a
2424 bar-check (See @ref{Bar check}), setting @code{Score.measurePosition}
2425 or entering @code{\partial}. Similarly, slurs or ties are also not
2429 @node Manual repeat commands
2430 @subsection Manual repeat commands
2432 @cindex @code{repeatCommands}
2434 The property @code{repeatCommands} can be used to control the layout of
2435 repeats. Its value is a Scheme list of repeat commands, where each repeat
2443 @item (volta . @var{text})
2444 Print a volta bracket saying @var{text}. The text can be specified as
2445 a text string or as a markup text, see @ref{Text markup}. Do not
2446 forget to change the font, as the default number font does not contain
2447 alphabetic characters.
2449 Stop a running volta bracket
2452 @lilypond[verbatim, fragment]
2454 \property Score.repeatCommands = #'((volta "93") end-repeat)
2456 \property Score.repeatCommands = #'((volta #f))
2463 @internalsref{VoltaBracket}, @internalsref{RepeatedMusic},
2464 @internalsref{VoltaRepeatedMusic},
2465 @internalsref{UnfoldedRepeatedMusic}
2466 @internalsref{FoldedRepeatedMusic}.
2468 @node Tremolo repeats
2469 @subsection Tremolo repeats
2470 @cindex tremolo beams
2472 To place tremolo marks between notes, use @code{\repeat} with tremolo
2474 @lilypond[verbatim,center,singleline]
2476 \context Voice \notes\relative c' {
2477 \repeat "tremolo" 8 { c16 d16 }
2478 \repeat "tremolo" 4 { c16 d16 }
2479 \repeat "tremolo" 2 { c16 d16 }
2480 \repeat "tremolo" 4 c16
2487 Tremolo beams are @internalsref{Beam} objects. Single stem tremolos are
2488 @internalsref{StemTremolo}. @internalsref{TremoloEvent}.
2493 The single stem tremolo @emph{must} be entered without @code{@{} and
2496 @node Tremolo subdivisions
2497 @subsection Tremolo subdivisions
2498 @cindex tremolo marks
2499 @cindex @code{tremoloFlags}
2501 Tremolo marks can be printed on a single note by adding
2502 `@code{:}[@var{length}]' after the note. The length must be at least 8.
2503 A @var{length} value of 8 gives one line across the note stem. If the
2504 length is omitted, then then the last value (stored in
2505 @code{Voice.tremoloFlags}) is used.
2507 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment,center]
2508 c'2:8 c':32 | c': c': |
2511 @c [TODO : stok is te kort bij 32en]
2515 Tremolos in this style do not carry over into the MIDI output.
2518 @node Measure repeats
2519 @subsection Measure repeats
2521 @cindex percent repeats
2522 @cindex measure repeats
2524 In the @code{percent} style, a note pattern can be repeated. It is
2525 printed once, and then the pattern is replaced with a special sign.
2526 Patterns of a one and two measures are replaced by percent-like signs,
2527 patterns that divide the measure length are replaced by slashes.
2529 @lilypond[verbatim,singleline]
2530 \context Voice { \repeat "percent" 4 { c'4 }
2531 \repeat "percent" 2 { c'2 es'2 f'4 fis'4 g'4 c''4 }
2537 @internalsref{RepeatSlash}, @internalsref{PercentRepeat},
2538 @internalsref{PercentRepeatedMusic}, and
2539 @internalsref{DoublePercentRepeat}.
2544 Single measure and double measure percent-repeats cannot be nested.
2546 @node Rhythmic music
2547 @section Rhythmic music
2549 Sometimes you might want to show only the rhythm of a melody. This
2550 can be done with the rhythmic staff. All pitches of notes on such a
2551 staff are squashed, and the staff itself has a single line:
2553 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
2554 \context RhythmicStaff {
2556 c4 e8 f g2 | r4 g r2 | g1:32 | r1 |
2561 * Percussion staves::
2562 * Percussion midi output::
2565 @node Percussion staves
2566 @subsection Percussion staves
2570 To typeset more than one piece of percussion to be played by the same
2571 musician one typically uses a multiline staff where each staff
2572 position refers to a specific piece of percussion.
2576 Percussion staves are typeset with help of a set of Scheme
2577 functions. The system is based on the general MIDI drum-pitches.
2578 Include @file{ly/drumpitch-init.ly} to use drum pitches. This file
2579 defines the pitches from the Scheme variable @code{drum-pitch-names},
2580 the definition of which can be read in @file{scm/drums.scm}. Each
2581 piece of percussion has a full name and an abbreviated name, and both
2582 the full name or the abbreviation may be used in input files.
2584 To typeset the music on a staff apply the function @code{drums->paper}
2585 to the percussion music. This function takes a list of percussion
2586 instrument names, notehead scripts and staff positions (that is:
2587 pitches relative to the C-clef) and transforms the input
2588 music by moving the pitch, changing the notehead and (optionally)
2591 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim,quote]
2592 \include "drumpitch-init.ly"
2593 up = \notes { crashcymbal4 hihat8 halfopenhihat hh hh hh openhihat }
2594 down = \notes { bassdrum4 snare8 bd r bd sn4 }
2596 \apply #(drums->paper 'drums) \context Staff <
2598 \context Voice = up { \voiceOne \up }
2599 \context Voice = down { \voiceTwo \down }
2604 In the above example the music was transformed using the list @code{'drums}.
2605 Currently the following lists are defined in @file{scm/drums.scm}:
2608 To typeset a typical drum kit on a five-line staff.
2611 \include "drumpitch-init.ly"
2612 nam = \lyrics { cymc cyms cymr hh hhc hho hhho hhp cb hc
2613 bd sn ss tomh tommh tomml toml tomfh tomfl }
2614 mus = \notes { cymc cyms cymr hh hhc hho hhho hhp cb hc
2615 bd sn ss tomh tommh tomml toml tomfh tomfl s16 }
2618 \apply #(drums->paper 'drums) \context Staff <
2622 \context Lyrics \nam
2625 linewidth = 100.0\mm
2628 \remove Bar_engraver
2629 \remove Time_signature_engraver
2630 minimumVerticalExtent = #'(-4.0 . 5.0)
2634 \remove Stem_engraver
2640 The drum scheme supports six different toms. When there fewer toms, simply
2641 select the toms that produce the desired result, i.e., to get toms on
2642 the three middle lines you use @code{tommh}, @code{tomml} and
2645 Because general MIDI does not contain rimshots the sidestick is used
2646 for this purpose instead.
2648 To typeset timbales on a two line staff.
2650 @lilypond[singleline]
2651 \include "drumpitch-init.ly"
2652 nam = \lyrics { timh ssh timl ssl cb }
2653 mus = \notes { timh ssh timl ssl cb s16 }
2656 \apply #(drums->paper 'timbales) \context Staff <
2660 \context Lyrics \nam
2665 \remove Bar_engraver
2666 \remove Time_signature_engraver
2667 StaffSymbol \override #'line-count = #2
2668 StaffSymbol \override #'staff-space = #2
2669 minimumVerticalExtent = #'(-3.0 . 4.0)
2673 \remove Stem_engraver
2680 To typeset congas on a two line staff.
2682 @lilypond[singleline]
2683 \include "drumpitch-init.ly"
2684 nam = \lyrics { cgh cgho cghm ssh cgl cglo cglm ssl }
2685 mus = \notes { cgh cgho cghm ssh cgl cglo cglm ssl s16 }
2688 \apply #(drums->paper 'congas) \context Staff <
2692 \context Lyrics \nam
2697 \remove Bar_engraver
2698 \remove Time_signature_engraver
2699 StaffSymbol \override #'line-count = #2
2700 StaffSymbol \override #'staff-space = #2
2701 minimumVerticalExtent = #'(-3.0 . 4.0)
2705 \remove Stem_engraver
2711 To typeset bongos on a two line staff.
2713 @lilypond[singleline]
2714 \include "drumpitch-init.ly"
2715 nam = \lyrics { boh boho bohm ssh bol bolo bolm ssl }
2716 mus = \notes { boh boho bohm ssh bol bolo bolm ssl s16 }
2719 \apply #(drums->paper 'bongos) \context Staff <
2723 \context Lyrics \nam
2728 \remove Bar_engraver
2729 \remove Time_signature_engraver
2730 StaffSymbol \override #'line-count = #2
2731 StaffSymbol \override #'staff-space = #2
2732 minimumVerticalExtent = #'(-3.0 . 4.0)
2736 \remove Stem_engraver
2742 To typeset all kinds of simple percussion on one line staves.
2743 @lilypond[singleline]
2744 \include "drumpitch-init.ly"
2745 nam = \lyrics { tri trio trim gui guis guil cb cl tamb cab mar hc }
2746 mus = \notes { tri trio trim gui guis guil cb cl tamb cab mar hc s16 }
2749 \apply #(drums->paper 'percussion) \context Staff <
2753 \context Lyrics \nam
2758 \remove Bar_engraver
2759 \remove Time_signature_engraver
2760 StaffSymbol \override #'line-count = #1
2761 minimumVerticalExtent = #'(-2.0 . 3.0)
2765 \remove Stem_engraver
2772 If you do not like any of the predefined lists you can define your own
2773 list at the top of your file:
2775 @lilypond[singleline, verbatim]
2777 (bassdrum default #f ,(ly:make-pitch -1 2 0))
2778 (snare default #f ,(ly:make-pitch 0 1 0))
2779 (hihat cross #f ,(ly:make-pitch 0 5 0))
2780 (pedalhihat xcircle "stopped" ,(ly:make-pitch 0 5 0))
2781 (lowtom diamond #f ,(ly:make-pitch -1 6 0))
2783 \include "drumpitch-init.ly"
2784 up = \notes { hh8 hh hh hh hhp4 hhp }
2785 down = \notes { bd4 sn bd toml8 toml }
2787 \apply #(drums->paper 'mydrums) \context Staff <
2789 \context Voice = up { \voiceOne \up }
2790 \context Voice = down { \voiceTwo \down }
2795 To use a modified existing list, one can prepend modifications to the
2799 #(define mydrums (append `(
2800 (bassdrum default #f ,(ly:make-pitch -1 2 0))
2801 (lowtom diamond #f ,(ly:make-pitch -1 6 0))
2805 The file @file{drumpitch-init.ly} replaces the normal pitch names, so
2806 you have to reinclude @file{nederlands.ly} after the
2807 drum-pattern-definitions to enter normal notes.
2809 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim]
2810 \include "drumpitch-init.ly"
2811 up = \notes { crashcymbal4 hihat8 halfopenhihat hh hh hh openhihat }
2812 down = \notes { bassdrum4 snare8 bd r bd sn4 }
2813 \include "nederlands.ly"
2814 bass = \notes \transpose c c,, { a4. e8 r e g e }
2817 \apply #(drums->paper 'drums) \context Staff = drums <
2819 \context Voice = up { \voiceOne \up }
2820 \context Voice = down { \voiceTwo \down }
2822 \context Staff = bass { \clef "F_8" \bass }
2827 @node Percussion midi output
2828 @subsection Percussion midi output
2830 In order to produce correct midi output you need to produce two score
2831 blocks---one for the paper and one for the midi output. To use the
2832 percussion channel you set the property @code{instrument} to
2833 @code{'drums}. Because the drum-pitches themself are similar to the
2834 general midi pitches all you have to do is to insert the voices with
2835 none of the scheme functions to get the correct midi output:
2839 \apply #(drums->paper 'mydrums) \context Staff <
2848 \property Staff.instrument = #'drums
2857 This scheme is to be considered a temporary implementation.
2861 @section Piano music
2863 Piano staves are two normal staves coupled with a brace. The staves
2864 are largely independent, but sometimes voices can cross between the
2865 two staves. The same notation is also used for harps and other key
2866 instruments. The @internalsref{PianoStaff} is especially built to
2867 handle this cross-staffing behavior. In this section we discuss the
2868 @internalsref{PianoStaff} and some other pianistic peculiarities.
2872 * Automatic staff changes::
2873 * Manual staff switches::
2876 * Staff switch lines::
2881 There is no support for putting chords across staves. You can get
2882 this result by increasing the length of the stem in the lower stave so
2883 it reaches the stem in the upper stave, or vice versa. An example is
2884 included with the distribution as @inputfileref{input/test,stem-cross-staff.ly}.
2886 Dynamics are not centered, but kludges do exist. See
2887 @inputfileref{input/templates,piano-dynamics.ly}.
2889 @cindex cross staff stem
2890 @cindex stem, cross staff
2893 @c fixme: should have hyperlinks as well.
2899 @node Automatic staff changes
2900 @subsection Automatic staff changes
2901 @cindex Automatic staff changes
2903 Voices can switch automatically between the top and the bottom
2904 staff. The syntax for this is
2906 \autochange Staff \context Voice @{ @dots{}@var{music}@dots{} @}
2908 The autochanger switches on basis of pitch (central C is the turning
2909 point), and it looks ahead skipping over rests to switch rests in
2910 advance. Here is a practical example:
2912 @lilypond[verbatim,singleline,quote]
2913 \score { \notes \context PianoStaff <
2914 \context Staff = "up" {
2915 \autochange Staff \context Voice = VA < \relative c' {
2916 g4 a b c d r4 a g } > }
2917 \context Staff = "down" {
2922 Spacer rests are used to prevent the bottom staff from
2923 terminating too soon.
2928 The staff switches often do not end up in optimal places. For high
2929 quality output staff switches should be specified manually.
2933 @node Manual staff switches
2934 @subsection Manual staff switches
2936 @cindex manual staff switches
2937 @cindex staff switch, manual
2939 Voices can be switched between staves manually, using the following command:
2941 \translator Staff = @var{staffname} @var{music}
2943 The string @var{staffname} is the name of the staff. It switches the
2944 current voice from its current staff to the Staff called
2945 @var{staffname}. Typically @var{staffname} is @code{"up"} or
2953 Pianos have pedals that alter the way sound are produced. Generally, a
2954 piano has three pedals, sustain, una corda, and sostenuto.
2958 Piano pedal instruction can be expressed by attaching
2959 @code{\sustainDown}, @code{\sustainUp}, @code{\unaCorda},
2960 @code{\treCorde}, @code{\sostenutoDown} and @code{\sostenutoUp} to a
2963 The symbols that are printed can be modified by setting
2964 @code{pedal@var{X}Strings}, where @var{X} is one of the pedal types:
2965 Sustain, Sostenuto or UnaCorda. Refer to the generated documentation
2966 of @internalsref{SustainPedal} for more information.
2968 Pedals can also be indicated by a sequence of brackets, by setting the
2969 @code{pedal-type} property of @internalsref{SustainPedal} objects:
2971 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
2972 \property Staff.SustainPedal \override #'pedal-type = #'bracket
2973 c''4-\sustainDown d''4 e''4
2974 a'4-\sustainUp-\sustainDown
2975 f'4 g'4 a'4-\sustainUp
2978 A third style of pedal notation is a mixture of text and brackets,
2979 obtained by setting @code{pedal-type} to @code{mixed}:
2981 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
2982 \property Staff.SustainPedal \override #'pedal-type = #'mixed
2983 c''4-\sustainDown d''4 e''4
2984 c'4-\sustainUp-\sustainDown
2985 f'4 g'4 a'4-\sustainUp
2988 The default `*Ped' style for sustain and damper pedals corresponds to
2989 @code{\pedal-type = #'text}. However, @code{mixed} is the default style
2990 for a sostenuto pedal:
2992 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
2993 c''4-\sostenutoDown d''4 e''4 c'4 f'4 g'4 a'4-\sostenutoUp
2996 For fine-tuning of the appearance of a pedal bracket, the properties
2997 @code{edge-width}, @code{edge-height}, and @code{shorten-pair} of
2998 @code{PianoPedalBracket} objects (see the detailed documentation of
2999 @internalsref{PianoPedalBracket}) can be modified. For example, the bracket
3000 may be extended to the end of the note head.
3002 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
3003 \property Staff.PianoPedalBracket \override
3004 #'shorten-pair = #'(0 . -1.0)
3005 c''4-\sostenutoDown d''4 e''4 c'4
3006 f'4 g'4 a'4-\sostenutoUp
3010 @subsection Arpeggio
3013 @cindex broken arpeggio
3014 @cindex @code{\arpeggio}
3016 You can specify an arpeggio sign on a chord by attaching an
3017 @code{\arpeggio} to a chord.
3020 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
3021 <<c e g c>>-\arpeggio
3024 When an arpeggio crosses staves in piano music, you attach an arpeggio
3025 to the chords in both staves, and set
3026 @internalsref{PianoStaff}.@code{connectArpeggios}.
3028 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
3029 \context PianoStaff <
3030 \property PianoStaff.connectArpeggios = ##t
3031 \context Voice = one { <<c' e g c>>-\arpeggio }
3032 \context Voice = other { \clef bass <<c,, e g>>-\arpeggio }
3036 This command creates @internalsref{Arpeggio} objects. Cross staff
3037 arpeggios are @internalsref{PianoStaff}.@internalsref{Arpeggio}.
3039 The direction of the arpeggio is sometimes denoted by adding an
3040 arrowhead to the wiggly line. This can be typeset by setting
3041 @code{arpeggio-direction}.
3043 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
3045 \property Voice.Arpeggio \set #'arpeggio-direction = #1
3046 <<c e g c>>-\arpeggio
3047 \property Voice.Arpeggio \set #'arpeggio-direction = #-1
3048 <<c e g c>>-\arpeggio
3052 A square bracket on the left indicates that the player should not
3053 arpeggiate the chord. To draw these brackets, set the
3054 @code{molecule-callback} property of @code{Arpeggio} or
3055 @code{PianoStaff.Arpeggio} objects to @code{\arpeggioBracket}, and use
3056 @code{\arpeggio} statements within the chords as before.
3058 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
3059 \property PianoStaff.Arpeggio \override
3060 #'molecule-callback = \arpeggioBracket
3061 <<c' e g c>>-\arpeggio
3066 @refcommand arpeggioBracket
3067 @refcommand arpeggio
3071 It is not possible to mix connected arpeggios and unconnected
3072 arpeggios in one @internalsref{PianoStaff} at the same time.
3074 @node Staff switch lines
3075 @subsection Staff switch lines
3078 @cindex follow voice
3079 @cindex staff switching
3082 @cindex @code{followVoice}
3084 Whenever a voice switches to another staff a line connecting the notes
3085 can be printed automatically. This is enabled if the property
3086 @code{PianoStaff.followVoice} is set to true:
3088 @lilypond[fragment,relative,verbatim]
3089 \context PianoStaff <
3090 \property PianoStaff.followVoice = ##t
3091 \context Staff \context Voice {
3093 \translator Staff=two
3096 \context Staff=two { \clef bass \skip 1*2 }
3100 The associated object is @internalsref{VoiceFollower}.
3104 @refcommand showStaffSwitch
3105 @refcommand hideStaffSwitch
3109 @section Vocal music
3111 This section discusses how to enter, and print lyrics.
3115 * The Lyrics context::
3120 @node Entering lyrics
3121 @subsection Entering lyrics
3125 @cindex @code{\lyrics}
3128 Lyrics are entered in a special input mode. This mode is is introduced
3129 by the keyword @code{\lyrics}. In this mode you can enter lyrics, with
3130 punctuation and accents without any hassle. Syllables are entered like
3131 notes, but with pitches replaced by text. For example,
3133 \lyrics @{ Twin-4 kle4 twin- kle litt- le star2 @}
3136 A word in Lyrics mode begins with: an alphabetic character, @code{_},
3137 @code{?}, @code{!}, @code{:}, @code{'}, the control characters @code{^A}
3138 through @code{^F}, @code{^Q} through @code{^W}, @code{^Y}, @code{^^},
3139 any 8-bit character with ASCII code over 127, or a two-character
3140 combination of a backslash followed by one of @code{`}, @code{'},
3141 @code{"}, or @code{^}.
3143 Subsequent characters of a word can be any character that is not a digit
3144 and not white space. One important consequence of this is that a word
3145 can end with @code{@}}. The following example is usually a bug. The
3146 syllable includes a @code{@}}, and hence the opening brace is not balanced.
3148 \lyrics @{ twinkle@}
3150 which may be confusing.
3152 @cindex @code{\property}, in @code{\lyrics}
3153 Similarly, a period following a alphabetic sequence, is included in the
3154 resulting string. As a consequence, spaces must be inserted around
3155 @code{\property} commands:
3157 \property Lyrics . LyricText \set #'font-shape = #'italic
3161 @cindex spaces, in lyrics
3162 @cindex quotes, in lyrics
3164 Any @code{_} character which appears in an unquoted word is converted
3165 to a space. This provides a mechanism for introducing spaces into words
3166 without using quotes. Quoted words can also be used in Lyrics mode to
3167 specify words that cannot be written with the above rules:
3170 \lyrics @{ He said: "\"Let" my peo ple "go\"" @}
3174 Hyphens can be entered as ordinary hyphens at the end of a syllable, i.e.
3179 These will be attached to the end of the first syllable.
3181 Centered hyphens are entered using the special `@code{-}@code{-}' lyric
3182 as a separate word between syllables. The hyphen will have variable
3183 length depending on the space between the syllables and it will be
3184 centered between the syllables.
3189 When a lyric is sung over many notes (this is called a melisma), this is
3190 indicated with a horizontal line centered between a syllable and the
3191 next one. Such a line is called an extender line, and it is entered as
3196 @internalsref{LyricEvent}, @internalsref{HyphenEvent},
3197 @internalsref{ExtenderEvent}.
3201 The definition of lyrics mode is too complex.
3203 @node The Lyrics context
3204 @subsection The Lyrics context
3206 Lyrics are printed by interpreting them in @internalsref{Lyrics}
3209 \context Lyrics \lyrics @dots{}
3212 @cindex automatic syllable durations
3213 @cindex @code{\addlyrics}
3214 @cindex lyrics and melodies
3216 This will place the lyrics according to the durations that were
3217 entered. The lyrics can also be aligned under a given melody
3218 automatically. In this case, it is no longer necessary to enter the
3219 correct duration for each syllable. This is achieved by combining the
3220 melody and the lyrics with the @code{\addlyrics} expression
3224 \context Lyrics @dots{}
3227 @cindex staff order, with @code{\addlyrics}
3229 Normally, this will put the lyrics below the staff. For different or
3230 more complex orderings, the best way is to setup the hierarchy of
3231 staffs and lyrics first, e.g.
3233 \context ChoirStaff \notes <
3234 \context Lyrics = LA @{ s1 @}
3235 \context Staff = SA @{ s1 @}
3236 \context Lyrics = LB @{ s1 @}
3237 \context Staff = SB @{ s1 @}
3240 and then combine the appropriate melodies and lyric lines:
3243 \context Staff = SA @emph{the music}
3244 \context Lyrics = LA @emph{the lyrics}
3247 putting both together, you would get
3249 \context ChoirStaff \notes <
3250 \context Lyrics = LA @dots{}
3251 \context Staff = SB @dots{}
3257 @cindex choral score
3259 An example of a SATB score setup is in the file
3260 @inputfileref{input/template,satb}.
3264 @internalsref{LyricCombineMusic}, @internalsref{Lyrics},
3265 @inputfileref{input/template,satb}.
3269 @code{\addlyrics} is not automatic enough: melismata are not detected
3270 automatically, and melismata are not stopped when they hit a rest. A
3271 melisma on the last note in a melody is not printed.
3275 @subsection More stanzas
3278 @cindex phrasing, in lyrics
3280 When multiple stanzas are printed underneath each other, the vertical
3281 groups of syllables should be aligned around punctuation. This can be
3282 done automatically when corresponding lyric lines and melodies are
3285 To this end, give the @internalsref{Voice} context an identity,
3287 \context Voice = duet @{
3292 Then set the @internalsref{LyricsVoice} contexts to names starting with
3293 that identity followed by a dash. In the preceding example, the
3294 @internalsref{Voice} identity is @code{duet}, so the identities of the
3295 @internalsref{LyricsVoices} are marked @code{duet-1} and @code{duet-2}.
3297 \context LyricsVoice = "duet-1" @{
3298 Hi, my name is bert. @}
3299 \context LyricsVoice = "duet-2" @{
3300 Ooooo, ch\'e -- ri, je t'aime. @}
3302 The convention for naming @internalsref{LyricsVoice} and
3303 @internalsref{Voice} must also be used to get melismata on rests
3306 The complete example is shown here.
3307 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim]
3310 \notes \relative c'' \context Voice = duet { \time 3/4
3312 \lyrics \context Lyrics <
3313 \context LyricsVoice = "duet-1" {
3314 \property LyricsVoice . stanza = "Bert"
3315 Hi, my name is bert. }
3316 \context LyricsVoice = "duet-2" {
3317 \property LyricsVoice . stanza = "Ernie"
3318 Ooooo, ch\'e -- ri, je t'aime. }
3323 Stanza numbers, or the names of the singers can be added by setting
3324 @code{LyricsVoice.Stanza} (for the first system) and
3325 @code{LyricsVoice.stz} for the following systems. Notice how dots are
3326 surrounded with spaces in @code{\lyrics} mode.
3329 \property LyricsVoice . stanza = "Bert"
3331 \property LyricsVoice . stanza = "Ernie"
3334 You can use empty syllables, e.g. @code{_4} or @code{" "4} to enter
3335 lyrics. This can confuse the LilyPond -- for example, this might put
3336 (empty) lyrics under rests. To remedy this, use @code{\skip} instead.
3344 Input for lyrics introduces a syntactical ambiguity:
3351 is interpreted as assigning a string identifier @code{\foo} such that
3352 it contains @code{"bar"}. However, it could also be interpreted as
3353 making or a music identifier @code{\foo} containing the syllable
3354 `bar'. The force the latter interpretation, use
3364 The term @emph{ambitus} denotes a range of pitches for a given voice in
3365 a part of music. It also may denote the pitch range that a musical
3366 instrument is capable of playing. Most musical instruments have their
3367 ambitus standardized (or at least there is agreement upon the minimal
3368 ambitus of a particular type of instrument), such that a composer or
3369 arranger of a piece of music can easily meet the ambitus constraints of
3370 the targeted instrument. However, the ambitus of the human voice
3371 depends on individual physiological state, including education and
3372 training of the voice. Therefore, a singer potentially has to check for
3373 each piece of music if the ambitus of that piece meets his individual
3374 capabilities. This is why the ambitus of a piece may be of particular
3375 value to vocal performers.
3377 The ambitus is typically notated on a per-voice basis at the very
3378 beginning of a piece, e.g. nearby the initial clef or time signature of
3379 each staff. The range is graphically specified by two noteheads, that
3380 represent the minimum and maximum pitch. Some publishers use a textual
3381 notation: they put the range in words in front of the corresponding
3382 staff. Lilypond currently only supports the graphical ambitus notation.
3384 To apply, add the @internalsref{Ambitus_engraver} to the
3385 @internalsref{Voice} context, i.e.
3388 \paper @{ \translator @{
3390 \consists Ambitus_engraver
3396 @lilypond[singleline]
3397 upper = \notes \relative c {
3400 as'' c e2 bes f cis d4 e f2 g
3402 lower = \notes \relative c {
3405 e'4 b g a c es fis a cis b a g f e d2
3408 \context ChoirStaff {
3410 \context Staff = one { \upper }
3411 \context Staff = three { \lower }
3417 \consists Ambitus_engraver
3426 @internalsref{Ambitus}, @inputfileref{input/regression,ambitus.ly}.
3431 Tablature notation is used for notating music for plucked string
3432 instruments. It notates pitches not by using note heads, but by
3433 indicating on which string and fret a note must be played. LilyPond
3434 offers limited support for tablature.
3437 * Tablatures basic::
3438 * Non-guitar tablatures::
3441 @node Tablatures basic
3442 @subsection Tablatures basic
3443 @cindex Tablatures basic
3445 The string number associated to a note is given as a backslash
3446 followed by a number, e.g. @code{c4\3} for a C quarter on the third
3447 string. By default, string 1 is the highest one, and the tuning
3448 defaults to the standard guitar tuning (with 6 strings). The notes
3449 are printed as tablature, by using @internalsref{TabStaff} and
3450 @internalsref{TabVoice} contexts.
3452 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
3453 \notes \context TabStaff {
3459 If you do not specify a string number then one is selected
3460 automatically: the first string that does not give a fret number less
3461 than @code{minimumFret} is selected. The default value for
3462 @code{minimumFret} is 0.
3466 e8 fis gis a b cis' dis' e'
3467 \property TabStaff.minimumFret = #8
3468 e8 fis gis a b cis' dis' e'
3473 e8 fis gis a b cis' dis' e'
3474 \property TabStaff.minimumFret = #8
3475 e8 fis gis a b cis' dis' e'
3478 \context StaffGroup <
3479 \context Staff { \clef "G_8" \frag }
3480 \context TabStaff { \frag }
3487 @internalsref{TabStaff}, @internalsref{TabVoice}, and
3488 @internalsref{StringNumberEvent}.
3492 Chords are not handled in a special way, and hence the automatic
3493 string selector may easily select the same string to two notes in a
3497 @node Non-guitar tablatures
3498 @subsection Non-guitar tablatures
3499 @cindex Non-guitar tablatures
3501 You can change the number of strings, by setting the number of lines
3502 in the @internalsref{TabStaff} (the @code{line-count} property of
3503 @internalsref{TabStaff} can only be changed using
3504 @code{\outputproperty}, for more information, see @ref{Tuning objects}.
3506 You can change the tuning of the strings. A string tuning is given as
3507 a Scheme list with one integer number for each string, the number
3508 being the pitch (measured in semitones relative to central C) of an
3509 open string. The numbers specified for @code{stringTuning} are the
3510 numbers of semitones to subtract or add, starting the specified pitch
3511 by default middle C, in string order: thus the notes are e, a, d, and
3514 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
3517 \outputproperty #(make-type-checker 'staff-symbol-interface)
3519 \property TabStaff.stringTunings = #'(-5 -10 -15 -20)
3522 a,4 c' a e' e c' a e'
3527 It is possible to change the Scheme function to format the tablature
3528 note text. The default is @code{fret-number-tablature-format}, which
3529 uses the fret number. For instruments that do not use this notation,
3530 you can create a special tablature formatting function. This function
3531 takes three argument: the string number, the string tuning and the
3536 As tablature is a recent feature, most of the guitar special effects
3537 such as bend are not yet supported.
3541 @section Chord names
3544 LilyPond has support for both entering and printing named chords.
3545 These chords are internally represented as a set of pitches. Therefore
3546 they can be entered by name and printed as notes, entered as notes and
3547 printed as chord names, or (the most common case) entered them by
3548 name, and print them as name. The following fragment shows these
3551 @lilypond[verbatim,singleline]
3552 twoWays = \notes \transpose c c' {
3562 < \context ChordNames \twoWays
3563 \context Voice \twoWays > }
3566 This example also shows that the chord printing routines do not try to
3567 be intelligent. The chord @code{f bes d}, is not interpreted as an
3573 * Printing chord names::
3578 @subsection Chords mode
3581 Chord mode is a mode where you can input sets of pitches using common
3582 names. It is introduced by the keyword @code{\chords}.
3583 In chords mode, a chord is entered by the root, which is entered
3584 like a common pitch, for example,
3585 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,quote, relative=1]
3586 \chords { es4. d8 c2 }
3591 Other chords may be entered by suffixing a colon, and introducing a
3592 modifier, and optionally, a number, for example
3594 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,quote]
3595 \chords { e1:m e1:7 e1:m7 }
3597 The first number following the root is taken to be the `type' of the
3598 chord, thirds are added to the root until it reaches the specified
3599 number, for example.
3600 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
3601 \chords { c:3 c:5 c:6 c:7 c:8 c:9 c:10 c:11 }
3604 @cindex root of chord
3605 @cindex additions, in chords
3606 @cindex removals, in chords
3608 More complex chords may also be constructed adding separate steps
3609 to a chord. Additions are added after the number following
3610 the colon, and are separated by dots. For example
3612 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment,quote]
3613 \chords { c:5.6 c:3.7.8 c:3.6.13 }
3615 Chord steps can be altered by suffixing a @code{-} or @code{+} sign
3616 to the number, for example:
3617 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment,quote]
3618 \chords { c:7+ c:5+.3- c:3-.5-.7- }
3620 Removals are specified similarly, and are introduced by a caret. They
3621 must come after the additions.
3622 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment]
3623 \chords { c^3 c:7^5 c:9^3.5 }
3626 Modifiers can be used to change pitches. The following modifiers are
3630 is the minor chord. This modifier lowers the 3rd and (if present) the 7th step.
3632 is the diminished chord. This modifier lowers the 3rd, 5th and (if present)
3635 is the augmented chord. This modifier raises the 5th step.
3637 is the major 7th chord. This modifier raises the 7th step if present.
3639 is the suspended 4th or 2nd. This modifier removes the 3rd
3640 step. Append either @code{2} or @code{4} to add the 2nd or 4th step to
3643 Modifiers can be mixed with additions.
3644 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment]
3645 \chords { c:sus4 c:7sus4 c:dim7 c:m6 }
3648 @cindex modifiers, in chords.
3655 Since the unaltered 11 does sound well when combined with the
3656 unaltered 3, the 11 is removed in this case, unless it is added
3657 explicitly). For example,
3658 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
3659 \chords { c:13 c:13.11 c:m13 }
3664 An inversion (putting one pitch of the chord on the bottom), as well
3665 as bass notes, can be specified by appending
3666 @code{/}@var{pitch} to the chord.
3667 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center]
3668 \chords { c1 c/g c/f }
3671 If you do not want to remove the bass note from the chord, but rather
3672 add the note, then you can use @code{/+}@var{pitch}.
3674 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,center]
3675 \chords { c1 c/+g c/+f }
3678 Chords is a mode similar to @code{\lyrics}, @code{\notes} etc. Most
3679 of the commands continue to work, for example, @code{r} and
3680 @code{\skip} can be used to insert rests and spaces, and
3681 @code{\property} may be used to change various settings.
3687 Each step can only be present in a chord once. The following
3688 simply produces the augmented chord, since @code{5+} is interpreted
3691 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment]
3692 \chords { c:5.5-.5+ }
3695 In chord mode, dashes and carets are used to indicate chord additions
3696 and subtractions, so articulation scripts cannot be entered.
3699 @node Printing chord names
3700 @subsection Printing chord names
3702 @cindex printing chord names
3706 For displaying printed chord names, use the @internalsref{ChordNames}
3707 context. The chords may be entered either using the notation
3708 described above, or directly using @code{<<} and @code{>>}.
3710 @lilypond[verbatim,singleline]
3712 \chords {a1 b c} <<d' f' g'>> <<e' g' b'>>
3716 \context ChordNames \scheme
3717 \context Staff \scheme
3722 You can make the chord changes stand out by setting
3723 @internalsref{ChordNames}.@code{chordChanges} to true. This will only
3724 display chord names when there is a change in the chords scheme and at
3725 the start of a new line.
3729 c1:m c:m \break c:m c:m d
3733 \context ChordNames {
3734 \property ChordNames.chordChanges = ##t
3736 \context Staff \transpose c c' \scheme
3738 \paper{linewidth= 9.\cm}
3742 The default chord name layout is a system for Jazz music, proposed by
3743 Klaus Ignatzek (See @ref{Literature}).
3745 The Ignatzek chord name formatting can be tuned in a number of ways
3746 through the following properties:
3749 @cindex chordNameExceptions
3750 @item chordNameExceptions
3751 This is a list that contains the chords that have special formatting.
3753 @inputfileref{input/regression,chord-name-exceptions.ly}.
3754 @cindex exceptions, chord names.
3757 @cindex majorSevenSymbol
3758 @item majorSevenSymbol
3759 This property contains the markup object used for the 7th step, when
3760 it is major. Predefined options are @code{whiteTriangleMarkup} and
3761 @code{blackTriangleMarkup}. See
3762 @inputfileref{input/regression,chord-name-major7.ly} for an example.
3764 @cindex chordNameSeparator
3765 @item chordNameSeparator
3766 Different parts of a chord name are normally separated by a
3767 slash. By setting @code{chordNameSeparator}, you can specify other
3769 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
3770 \context ChordNames \chords {
3772 \property ChordNames.chordNameSeparator
3777 @cindex chordRootNamer
3778 @item chordRootNamer
3779 The root of a chord is usually printed as a letter with an optional
3780 alteration. The transformation from pitch to letter is done by this
3781 function. Special note names (for example, the German ``H'' for a
3782 B-chord) can be produced by storing a new function in this property.
3784 @cindex chordNoteNamer
3785 @item chordNoteNamer
3786 The default is to print single notes (as for instance the bass note)
3787 using the @code{chordRootNamer}. However, by setting this function to a non-null
3788 value you can specify a different function. I.e. you could use letters
3789 in lower case for the base note.
3794 There are also two other chord name schemes implemented: an alternate
3795 Jazz chord notation, and a systematic scheme called Banter chords. The
3796 alternate jazz notation is also shown on the chart in @ref{Chord name
3797 chart}. Turning on these styles is described in the input file
3798 @inputfileref{input/test/,chord-names-jazz.ly}.
3802 @cindex chords, jazz
3807 @refcommand germanChords
3808 @refcommand semiGermanChords
3815 @inputfileref{input/regression,chord-name-major7.ly},
3816 @inputfileref{input/regression,chord-name-exceptions.ly},
3817 @inputfileref{input/test,chord-names-jazz.ly},
3818 @inputfileref{input/test,chord-names-german.ly},
3819 @file{scm/chords-ignatzek.scm}, @file{scm/chord-entry.scm}
3824 Chord names are determined solely from the list of pitches. Chord
3825 inversions are not identified, and neither are added bass notes. This
3826 may result in strange chord names when chords are entered with the
3827 @code{<< .. >>} syntax.
3832 @node Orchestral music
3833 @section Orchestral music
3835 @cindex Writing parts
3837 Orchestral music involves some special notation, both in the full
3838 score and the individual parts. This section explains how to tackle
3839 some common problems in orchestral music.
3844 * Multiple staff contexts::
3847 * Instrument names::
3849 * Multi measure rests::
3850 * Automatic part combining::
3852 * Sound output for transposing instruments::
3855 @node Multiple staff contexts
3856 @subsection Multiple staff contexts
3858 Polyphonic scores consist of many staffs. These staffs can be
3859 constructed in three different ways:
3861 @item The group is started with a brace at the left. This is done with the
3862 @internalsref{GrandStaff} context.
3863 @item The group is started with a bracket. This is done with the
3864 @internalsref{StaffGroup} context
3865 @item The group is started with a vertical line. This is the default
3869 @cindex Staff, multiple
3870 @cindex bracket, vertical
3871 @cindex brace, vertical
3878 @node Rehearsal marks
3879 @subsection Rehearsal marks
3880 @cindex Rehearsal marks
3882 @cindex @code{\mark}
3884 To print a rehearsal mark, use the @code{\mark} command.
3885 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
3895 The mark is incremented automatically if you use @code{\mark
3896 \default}. The value to use is stored in the property
3897 @code{rehearsalMark} is used and automatically incremented.
3899 The @code{\mark} command can also be used to put signs like coda,
3900 segno and fermatas on a barline. Use @code{\markup} to
3901 to access the appropriate symbol.
3903 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,relative=1]
3904 c1 \mark \markup { \musicglyph #"scripts-ufermata" }
3908 In this case, during line breaks,
3909 marks must also be printed at the end of the line, and not at the
3910 beginning. Use the following to force that behavior
3912 \property Score.RehearsalMark \override
3913 #'break-visibility = #begin-of-line-invisible
3916 See @inputfileref{input/test,boxed-molecule.ly}. for putting boxes
3922 @cindex barlines, putting symbols on
3926 @internalsref{MarkEvent}, @internalsref{RehearsalMark},
3927 @inputfileref{input/test,boxed-molecule.ly}.
3931 @subsection Bar numbers
3935 @cindex measure numbers
3936 @cindex currentBarNumber
3938 Bar numbers are printed by default at the start of the line. The
3939 number itself is stored in the
3940 @code{currentBarNumber} property,
3941 which is normally updated automatically for every measure.
3943 Bar numbers can be typeset at regular intervals instead of at the
3944 beginning of each line. This is illustrated in the following example,
3945 whose source is available as
3946 @inputfileref{input/test,bar-number-every-fifth.ly}
3948 @lilypondfile[notexidoc]{bar-number-every-fifth.ly}
3950 The start of that numbering can also be reset, as demonstrated in
3951 @inputfileref{input/test,bar-number-every-five-reset.ly}.
3953 @lilypondfile[notexidoc]{bar-number-every-five-reset.ly}
3958 @internalsref{BarNumber}.
3959 @inputfileref{input/test,bar-number-every-five-reset.ly}.
3960 @inputfileref{input/test,bar-number-every-fifth.ly}
3964 Bar numbers can collide with the @internalsref{StaffGroup} bracket, if
3965 there is one at the top. To solve this, You have to twiddle with the
3966 @internalsref{padding} property of @internalsref{BarNumber} if your
3967 score starts with a @internalsref{StaffGroup}.
3969 @node Instrument names
3970 @subsection Instrument names
3972 In an orchestral score, instrument names are printed left of the
3975 This can be achieved by setting @internalsref{Staff}.@code{instrument}
3976 and @internalsref{Staff}.@code{instr}. This will print a string before
3977 the start of the staff. For the first start, @code{instrument} is
3978 used, for the next ones @code{instr} is used.
3980 @lilypond[verbatim,singleline]
3981 \property Staff.instrument = "ploink " { c''4 }
3984 You can also use markup texts to construct more complicated instrument
3987 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim,singleline]
3988 \notes \context Staff = treble {
3989 \property Staff.instrument = \markup {
3990 \column << "Clarinetti"
3992 \smaller \musicglyph #"accidentals--1"
4003 @internalsref{InstrumentName}
4007 When you put a name on a grand staff or piano staff the width of the
4008 brace is not taken into account. You must add extra spaces to the end of
4009 the name to avoid a collision.
4012 @subsection Transpose
4014 @cindex transposition of pitches
4015 @cindex @code{\transpose}
4017 A music expression can be transposed with @code{\transpose}. The syntax
4020 \transpose @var{from} @var{to} @var{musicexpr}
4023 This means that @var{musicexpr} is transposed by the interval
4024 between @var{from} and @var{to}.
4026 @code{\transpose} distinguishes between enharmonic pitches: both
4027 @code{\transpose c cis} or @code{\transpose c des} will transpose up
4028 half a tone. The first version will print sharps and the second
4029 version will print flats.
4031 @lilypond[singleline, verbatim]
4032 mus =\notes { \key d \major cis d fis g }
4033 \score { \notes \context Staff {
4036 \transpose c g' \mus
4037 \transpose c f' \mus
4043 @internalsref{TransposedMusic}, @internalsref{UntransposableMusic}.
4047 If you want to use both @code{\transpose} and @code{\relative}, then
4048 you must put @code{\transpose} outside of @code{\relative}, since
4049 @code{\relative} will have no effect music that appears inside a
4055 @node Multi measure rests
4056 @subsection Multi measure rests
4057 @cindex multi measure rests
4058 @cindex Rests, multi measure
4062 Multi measure rests are entered using `@code{R}'. It is specifically
4063 meant for full bar rests and for entering parts: the rest can expand to
4064 fill a score with rests, or it can be printed as a single multimeasure
4065 rest. This expansion is controlled by the property
4066 @code{Score.skipBars}. If this is set to true, Lily will not expand
4067 empty measures, and the appropriate number is added automatically.
4069 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
4070 \time 4/4 r1 | R1 | R1*2
4071 \property Score.skipBars = ##t R1*17 R1*4
4074 The @code{1} in @code{R1} is similar to the duration notation used for
4075 notes. Hence, for time signatures other than 4/4, you must enter other
4076 durations. This can be done with augmentation dots or fractions:
4078 @lilypond[fragment,verbatim]
4079 \property Score.skipBars = ##t
4087 A @code{R} spanning a single measure is printed as a whole rest
4088 centered in the measure (or a breve when the measure lasts longer than
4089 two whole notes), regardless of the time signature.
4093 @cindex text on multi-measure rest
4094 @cindex script on multi-measure rest
4095 @cindex fermata on multi-measure rest
4097 Texts can be added to multi-measure rests by using the
4098 @var{note}-@code{markup} syntax (see @ref{Text markup}). In this case, the number is
4099 replaced. If you need both texts and the number, you must add the
4100 number by hand. A variable (@code{\fermataMarkup}) is provided for
4104 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment]
4106 R2._\markup { "Ad lib" }
4111 @cindex whole rests for a full measure
4115 @internalsref{MultiMeasureRestEvent},
4116 @internalsref{MultiMeasureTextEvent},
4117 @internalsref{MultiMeasureRestMusicGroup},
4118 @internalsref{MultiMeasureRest},
4120 The layout object @internalsref{MultiMeasureRestNumber} is for the
4121 default number, and @internalsref{MultiMeasureRestText} for user
4126 It is not possible to use fingerings (e.g. @code{R1-4}) to put numbers
4127 over multi-measure rests.
4129 @cindex condensing rests
4131 There is no way to automatically condense multiple rests into a single
4132 multimeasure rest. Multi measure rests do not take part in rest
4135 Be careful when entering multimeasure rests followed by whole notes,
4139 will enter two notes lasting four measures each. When @code{skipBars}
4140 is set, then the result will look OK6, but the bar numbering will be
4143 @node Automatic part combining
4144 @subsection Automatic part combining
4145 @cindex automatic part combining
4146 @cindex part combiner
4149 Automatic part combining is used to merge two parts of music onto a
4150 staff. It is aimed at typesetting orchestral scores. When the two
4151 parts are identical for a period of time, only one is shown. In
4152 places where the two parts differ, they are typeset as separate
4153 voices, and stem directions are set automatically. Also, solo and
4154 @emph{a due} parts are identified and can be marked.
4158 The syntax for part combining is
4161 \partcombine @var{context} @var{musicexpr1} @var{musicexpr2}
4163 where the pieces of music @var{musicexpr1} and @var{musicexpr2} will be
4164 combined into one context of type @var{context}. The music expressions
4165 must be interpreted by contexts whose names should start with @code{one}
4168 The following example demonstrates the basic functionality of the part
4169 combiner: putting parts on one staff, and setting stem directions and
4172 @lilypond[verbatim,singleline,fragment]
4174 \context Voice=one \partcombine Voice
4175 \context Thread=one \relative c'' {
4178 \context Thread=two \relative c'' {
4184 The first @code{g} appears only once, although it was
4185 specified twice (once in each part). Stem, slur and tie directions are
4186 set automatically, depending whether there is a solo or unisono. The
4187 first part (with context called @code{one}) always gets up stems, and
4188 `solo', while the second (called @code{two}) always gets down stems and
4191 If you just want the merging parts, and not the textual markings, you
4192 may set the property @var{soloADue} to false.
4194 @lilypond[verbatim,singleline,fragment]
4196 \property Staff.soloADue = ##f
4197 \context Voice=one \partcombine Voice
4198 \context Thread=one \relative c'' {
4201 \context Thread=two \relative c'' {
4209 @internalsref{PartCombineMusic},
4210 @internalsref{Thread_devnull_engraver},
4211 @internalsref{Voice_devnull_engraver} and @internalsref{A2_engraver}.
4215 The syntax for naming contexts in inconsistent with the syntax for
4218 In @code{soloADue} mode, when the two voices play the same notes on and
4219 off, the part combiner may typeset @code{a2} more than once in a
4222 @lilypond[fragment,singleline]
4224 \context Voice=one \partcombine Voice
4225 \context Thread=one \relative c'' {
4228 \context Thread=two \relative c'' {
4234 The part combiner is slated to be rewritten [TODO: explain why].
4236 @cindex @code{Thread_devnull_engraver}
4237 @cindex @code{Voice_engraver}
4238 @cindex @code{A2_engraver}
4240 @node Frenched scores
4241 @subsection Frenched scores
4243 In orchestral scores, staff lines that only have rests are usually removed.
4244 This saves some space. This style is called `French Score'.
4248 This is supported through the @code{RemoveEmptyStaff}. This staff is
4249 removed when it turns out empty (or containing multimeasure rests)
4250 after the line-breaking process.
4252 For @internalsref{Lyrics}, @internalsref{LyricsVoice},
4253 @internalsref{ChordNames} and @internalsref{FiguredBass}, this is
4254 switched on by default. For normal staffs, it is available as a
4255 specialized @internalsref{Staff} context, with the name variable
4256 @code{\RemoveEmptyStaffContext}. Observe how the second staff in this
4257 example disappears in the second line.
4261 \notes \relative c' <
4262 \context Staff = SA { e4 f g a \break c1 }
4263 \context Staff = SB { c4 d e f \break R1 }
4267 \translator { \RemoveEmptyStaffContext }
4273 @node Sound output for transposing instruments
4274 @subsection Sound output for transposing instruments
4276 When you want to make a MIDI file from a score containing transposed
4277 and untransposed instruments, you have to instruct LilyPond the pitch
4278 offset (in semitones) for the transposed instruments. This is done
4279 using the @code{transposing} property. It does not affect printed
4282 @cindex @code{transposing}
4285 \property Staff.instrument = #"Cl. in B-flat"
4286 \property Staff.transposing = #-2
4290 @node Ancient notation
4291 @section Ancient notation
4293 @cindex Vaticana, Editio
4294 @cindex Medicaea, Editio
4299 @c [TODO: write introduction on ancient notation]
4302 * Ancient note heads::
4311 @node Ancient note heads
4312 @subsection Ancient note heads
4314 To get a longa note head, you have to use mensural note heads. This
4315 is accomplished by setting the @code{style} property of the
4316 NoteHead object to @code{mensural}. There is also a note head style
4317 @code{baroque} which gives mensural note heads for @code{\longa} and
4318 @code{\breve} but standard note heads for shorter notes.
4320 @lilypond[fragment,singleline,verbatim]
4321 \property Voice.NoteHead \set #'style = #'mensural
4326 @subsection Ancient clefs
4328 LilyPond supports a variety of clefs, many of them ancient.
4330 For modern clefs, see section @ref{Clef}. For the percussion clef, see
4331 section @ref{Percussion staves}. For the @code{TAB} clef, see section
4334 The following table shows all ancient clefs that are supported via the
4335 @code{\clef} command. Some of the clefs use the same glyph, but
4336 differ only with respect to the line they are printed on. In such
4337 cases, a trailing number in the name is used to enumerate these clefs.
4338 Still, you can manually force a clef glyph to be typeset on an
4339 arbitrary line, as described in section @ref{Clef}. The note printed
4340 to the right side of each clef in the example column denotes the
4341 @code{c'} with respect to that clef.
4343 @multitable @columnfractions .3 .3 .3 .1
4347 @b{Description} @tab
4348 @b{Supported Clefs} @tab
4352 @code{clefs-neo_mensural_c} @tab
4353 modern style mensural C clef @tab
4354 @code{neo_mensural_c1}, @code{neo_mensural_c2},
4355 @code{neo_mensural_c3}, @code{neo_mensural_c4} @tab
4356 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4357 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4358 \clef "neo_mensural_c2" c
4362 @code{clefs-petrucci_c1}
4363 @code{clefs-petrucci_c2}
4364 @code{clefs-petrucci_c3}
4365 @code{clefs-petrucci_c4}
4366 @code{clefs-petrucci_c5}
4369 petrucci style mensural C clefs, for use on different stafflines
4370 (the examples shows the 2nd staffline C clef).
4380 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4381 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4382 \clef "petrucci_c2" c
4386 @code{clefs-petrucci_f} @tab
4387 petrucci style mensural F clef @tab
4388 @code{petrucci_f} @tab
4389 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4390 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4391 \clef "petrucci_f" c
4395 @code{clefs-petrucci_g} @tab
4396 petrucci style mensural G clef @tab
4397 @code{petrucci_g} @tab
4398 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4399 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4400 \clef "petrucci_g" c
4404 @code{clefs-mensural_c'} @tab
4405 historic style mensural C clef @tab
4406 @code{mensural_c1}, @code{mensural_c2}, @code{mensural_c3},
4407 @code{mensural_c4} @tab
4408 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4409 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4410 \clef "mensural_c2" c
4414 @code{clefs-mensural_f} @tab
4415 historic style mensural F clef @tab
4416 @code{mensural_f} @tab
4417 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4418 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4419 \clef "mensural_f" c
4423 @code{clefs-mensural_g} @tab
4424 historic style mensural G clef @tab
4425 @code{mensural_g} @tab
4426 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4427 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4428 \clef "mensural_g" c
4432 @code{clefs-vaticana_do} @tab
4433 Editio Vaticana style do clef @tab
4434 @code{vaticana_do1}, @code{vaticana_do2}, @code{vaticana_do3} @tab
4435 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4437 \outputproperty #(make-type-checker 'staff-symbol-interface) #'line-count = #4
4438 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4439 \clef "vaticana_do2" c
4443 @code{clefs-vaticana_fa} @tab
4444 Editio Vaticana style fa clef @tab
4445 @code{vaticana_fa1}, @code{vaticana_fa2} @tab
4446 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4448 \outputproperty #(make-type-checker 'staff-symbol-interface) #'line-count = #4
4449 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4450 \clef "vaticana_fa2" c
4454 @code{clefs-medicaea_do} @tab
4455 Editio Medicaea style do clef @tab
4456 @code{medicaea_do1}, @code{medicaea_do2}, @code{medicaea_do3} @tab
4457 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4459 \outputproperty #(make-type-checker 'staff-symbol-interface) #'line-count = #4
4460 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4461 \clef "medicaea_do2" c
4465 @code{clefs-medicaea_fa} @tab
4466 Editio Medicaea style fa clef @tab
4467 @code{medicaea_fa1}, @code{medicaea_fa2} @tab
4468 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4470 \outputproperty #(make-type-checker 'staff-symbol-interface) #'line-count = #4
4471 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4472 \clef "medicaea_fa2" c
4476 @code{clefs-hufnagel_do} @tab
4477 historic style hufnagel do clef @tab
4478 @code{hufnagel_do1}, @code{hufnagel_do2}, @code{hufnagel_do3} @tab
4479 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4481 \outputproperty #(make-type-checker 'staff-symbol-interface) #'line-count = #4
4482 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4483 \clef "hufnagel_do2" c
4487 @code{clefs-hufnagel_fa} @tab
4488 historic style hufnagel fa clef @tab
4489 @code{hufnagel_fa1}, @code{hufnagel_fa2} @tab
4490 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4492 \outputproperty #(make-type-checker 'staff-symbol-interface) #'line-count = #4
4493 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4494 \clef "hufnagel_fa2" c
4498 @code{clefs-hufnagel_do_fa} @tab
4499 historic style hufnagel combined do/fa clef @tab
4500 @code{hufnagel_do_fa} @tab
4501 @lilypond[relative 0, notime]
4502 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t
4503 \clef "hufnagel_do_fa" c
4508 @c --- This should go somewhere else: ---
4509 @c @item modern style percussion clef (glyph: @code{clefs-percussion})
4512 @c @code{percussion}
4514 @c @lilypond{\property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t \clef "percussion" c'}
4516 @c @item modern style tab clef (glyph: @code{clefs-tab})
4521 @c @lilypond{\context Staff \outputproperty #(make-type-checker 'staff-symbol-interface) #'line-count = #6 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'transparent = ##t \clef "tab" c'}
4523 @emph{Modern style} means ``as is typeset in contemporary editions of
4524 transcribed mensural music''.
4526 @emph{Petrucci style} means ``inspired by printings published by the
4527 famous engraver Petrucci (1466-1539)''.
4529 @emph{Historic style} means ``as was typeset or written in historic
4530 editions (other than those of Petrucci)''.
4532 @emph{Editio XXX style} means ``as is/was printed in Editio XXX''.
4534 Petrucci used C clefs with differently balanced left-side vertical
4535 beams, depending on which staffline it is printed.
4539 @subsection Custodes
4544 A @emph{custos} (plural: @emph{custodes}; latin word for `guard') is a
4545 symbol that appears at the end of a staff. It anticipates the pitch
4546 of the first note(s) of the following line and thus helps the player
4547 or singer to manage line breaks during performance, thus enhancing
4548 readability of a score.
4550 Custodes were frequently used in music notation until the 17th
4551 century. Nowadays, they have survived only in a few particular forms
4552 of musical notation such as contemporary editions of Gregorian chant
4553 like the @emph{editio vaticana}. There are different custos glyphs
4554 used in different flavours of notational style.
4556 For typesetting custodes, just put a @internalsref{Custos_engraver} into the
4557 @internalsref{Staff} context when declaring the @code{\paper} block,
4558 as shown in the following example.
4564 \consists Custos_engraver
4565 Custos \override #'style = #'mensural
4570 The result looks like this:
4576 \property Staff.Custos \set #'style = #'mensural
4583 \consists Custos_engraver
4590 The custos glyph is selected by the @code{style} property. The styles
4591 supported are @code{vaticana}, @code{medicaea}, @code{hufnagel} and
4592 @code{mensural}. They are demonstrated in the following fragment:
4602 { " " \musicglyph #"custodes-vaticana-u0" }
4606 { " " \musicglyph #"custodes-medicaea-u0" }
4610 { " " \musicglyph #"custodes-hufnagel-u0" }
4614 { " " \musicglyph #"custodes-mensural-u0" }
4623 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
4627 \remove "Clef_engraver"
4628 \remove "Key_engraver"
4629 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
4630 \remove "Staff_symbol_engraver"
4631 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
4637 If the boolean property @code{adjust-if-on-staffline} is set to
4638 @code{#t} (which it is by default), lily typesets slightly different
4639 variants of the custos glyph, depending on whether the custos, is
4640 typeset on or between stafflines. The glyph will
4641 optically fit well into the staff, with the appendage on the right of
4642 the custos always ending at the same vertical position between two
4643 stafflines regardless of the pitch. If you set
4644 @code{adjust-if-on-staffline} to @code{#f}, then
4645 a compromise between both forms is used.
4647 Just like stems can be attached to noteheads in two directions
4648 @emph{up} and @emph{down}, each custos glyph is available with its
4649 appendage pointing either up or down. If the pitch of a custos is
4650 above a selectable position, the appendage will point downwards; if
4651 the pitch is below this position, the appendage will point upwards.
4652 Use property @code{neutral-position} to select this position. By
4653 default, it is set to @code{0}, such that the neutral position is the
4654 center of the staff. Use property @code{neutral-direction} to control
4655 what happens if a custos is typeset on the neutral position itself.
4656 By default, this property is set to @code{-1}, such that the appendage
4657 will point downwards. If set to @code{1}, the appendage will point
4658 upwards. Other values such as @code{0} are reserved for future
4659 extensions and should not be used.
4664 @internalsref{Custos}, @inputfileref{input/test,custos-style.ly} and
4665 @inputfileref{input/regression,custos.ly}.
4669 @subsection Divisiones
4675 A @emph{divisio} (plural: @emph{divisiones}; latin word for
4676 `division') is a staff context symbol that is used to structure
4677 Gregorian music into phrases and sections. The musical meaning of
4678 @emph{divisio minima}, @emph{divisio maior} and @emph{divisio maxima}
4679 can be characterized as short, medium and long pause, somewhat like
4680 @ref{Breath marks}. The @emph{finalis} sign not only marks the end of
4681 a chant, but is also frequently used within a single
4682 antiphonal/responsorial chant to mark the end of each section.
4686 To use divisiones, include the file @code{gregorian-init.ly}. It
4687 contains definitions that you can apply by just inserting
4688 @code{\divisioMinima}, @code{\divisioMaior}, @code{\divisioMaxima},
4689 and @code{\finalis} at proper places in the input. Some editions use
4690 @emph{virgula} or @emph{caesura} instead of divisio minima.
4691 Therefore, @code{gregorian-init.ly} also defines @code{\virgula} and
4695 @lilypondfile[notexidoc]{divisiones.ly}
4699 @internalsref{BreathingSign}, @internalsref{BreathingSignEvent},
4700 @inputfileref{input/test,divisiones.ly}, @ref{Breath marks}.
4703 @subsection Ligatures
4707 @c TODO: Should double check if I recalled things correctly when I wrote
4708 @c down the following paragraph by heart.
4710 In musical terminology, a ligature is a coherent graphical symbol that
4711 represents at least two different notes. Ligatures originally appeared
4712 in the manuscripts of Gregorian chant notation roughly since the 9th
4713 century as an allusion to the accent symbols of greek lyric poetry to
4714 denote ascending or descending sequences of notes. Both, the shape and
4715 the exact meaning of ligatures changed tremendously during the following
4716 centuries: In early notation, ligatures where used for monophonic tunes
4717 (Gregorian chant) and very soon denoted also the way of performance in
4718 the sense of articulation. With upcoming multiphony, the need for a
4719 metric system arised, since multiple voices of a piece have to be
4720 synchronized some way. New notation systems were invented that used
4721 the manifold shapes of ligatures to now denote rhythmical patterns
4722 (e.g. black mensural notation, mannered notation, ars nova). With the
4723 invention of the metric system of the white mensural notation, the need
4724 for ligatures to denote such patterns disappeared. Nevertheless,
4725 ligatures were still in use in the mensural system for a couple of
4726 decades until they finally disappeared during the late 16th / early 17th
4727 century. Still, ligatures have survived in contemporary editions of
4728 Gregorian chant such as the Editio Vaticana from 1905/08.
4732 Syntactically, ligatures are simply enclosed by @code{\[} and
4733 @code{\]}. Some ligature styles (such as Editio Vaticana) may need
4734 additional input syntax specific for this particular type of ligature.
4735 By default, the @internalsref{LigatureBracket} engraver just puts a
4736 square bracket above the ligature.
4738 @lilypond[singleline,verbatim]
4740 \notes \transpose c c' {
4748 To select a specific style of ligatures, a proper ligature engraver
4749 has to be added to the @internalsref{Voice} context, as explained in
4750 the following subsections. Currently, only white mensural ligatures
4751 are supported with certain limitations. Support for Editio Vaticana
4752 will be added in the future.
4755 * White mensural ligatures::
4756 * Gregorian square neumes ligatures::
4759 @node White mensural ligatures
4760 @subsubsection White mensural ligatures
4762 @cindex Mensural ligatures
4763 @cindex White mensural ligatures
4765 There is limited support for white mensural ligatures. The
4766 implementation is still experimental; it currently may output strange
4767 warnings or even crash in some cases or produce weird results on more
4768 complex ligatures. To engrave white mensural ligatures, in the paper
4769 block the @internalsref{Mensural_ligature_engraver} has to be put into
4770 the @internalsref{Voice} context, and remove the
4771 @internalsref{Ligature_bracket_engraver}:
4777 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
4778 \consists Mensural_ligature_engraver
4783 There is no additional input language to describe the shape of a
4784 white mensural ligature. The shape is rather determined solely from
4785 the pitch and duration of the enclosed notes. While this approach may
4786 take a new user a while to get accustomed, it has the great advantage
4787 that the full musical information of the ligature is known internally.
4788 This is not only required for correct MIDI output, but also allows for
4789 automatic transcription of the ligatures.
4794 \property Score.timing = ##f
4795 \property Score.defaultBarType = "empty"
4796 \property Voice.NoteHead \set #'style = #'neo_mensural
4797 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'style = #'neo_mensural
4799 \[ g\longa c\breve a\breve f\breve d'\longa \]
4801 \[ e1 f1 a\breve g\longa \]
4803 @lilypond[singleline]
4805 \notes \transpose c c' {
4806 \property Score.timing = ##f
4807 \property Score.defaultBarType = "empty"
4808 \property Voice.NoteHead \set #'style = #'neo_mensural
4809 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'style = #'neo_mensural
4811 \[ g\longa c\breve a\breve f\breve d'\longa \]
4813 \[ e1 f1 a\breve g\longa \]
4818 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
4819 \consists Mensural_ligature_engraver
4825 Without replacing @internalsref{Ligature_bracket_engraver} with
4826 @internalsref{Mensural_ligature_engraver}, the same music transcribes
4829 @lilypond[singleline]
4831 \notes \transpose c c' {
4832 \property Score.timing = ##f
4833 \property Score.defaultBarType = "empty"
4834 \property Voice.NoteHead \set #'style = #'neo_mensural
4835 \property Staff.TimeSignature \set #'style = #'neo_mensural
4837 \[ g\longa c\breve a\breve f\breve d'\longa \]
4839 \[ e1 f1 a\breve g\longa \]
4844 @node Gregorian square neumes ligatures
4845 @subsubsection Gregorian square neumes ligatures
4847 @cindex Square neumes ligatures
4848 @cindex Gregorian square neumes ligatures
4850 Gregorian square neumes notation (following the style of the Editio
4851 Vaticana) is under heavy development, but not yet really usable for
4852 production purposes. Core ligatures can already be typeset, but
4853 essential issues for serious typesetting are still under development,
4854 such as (among others) horizontal alignment of multiple ligatures,
4855 lyrics alignment and proper accidentals handling. Still, this section
4856 gives a sneak preview of what Gregorian chant may look like once it
4859 The following table contains the extended neumes table of the 2nd
4860 volume of the Antiphonale Romanum (@emph{Liber Hymnarius}), published
4861 1983 by the monks of Solesmes.
4863 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .2 .2 .2
4866 @b{Neuma aut@*Neumarum Elementa} @tab
4867 @b{Figurae@*Rectae} @tab
4868 @b{Figurae@*Liquescentes Auctae} @tab
4869 @b{Figurae@*Liquescentes Deminutae}
4871 @c TODO: \paper block is identical in all of the below examples.
4872 @c Therefore, it should somehow be included rather than duplicated all
4875 @c why not make identifiers in ly/engraver-init.ly? --hwn
4877 @c Because it's just used to typeset plain notes without
4878 @c a staff for demonstration purposes rather than something
4879 @c special of Gregorian chant notation. --jr
4884 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.5cm]
4885 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
4887 \notes \transpose c c' {
4890 \noBreak s^\markup {"a"} \noBreak
4892 % Punctum Inclinatum
4894 \noBreak s^\markup {"b"}
4900 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
4904 \remove "Clef_engraver"
4905 \remove "Key_engraver"
4906 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
4907 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
4908 \remove "Bar_engraver"
4909 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
4913 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
4914 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
4915 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
4916 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
4922 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=2.5cm]
4923 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
4925 \notes \transpose c c' {
4926 % Punctum Auctum Ascendens
4927 \[ \auctum \ascendens b \]
4928 \noBreak s^\markup {"c"} \noBreak
4930 % Punctum Auctum Descendens
4931 \[ \auctum \descendens b \]
4932 \noBreak s^\markup {"d"} \noBreak
4934 % Punctum Inclinatum Auctum
4935 \[ \inclinatum \auctum b \]
4936 \noBreak s^\markup {"e"}
4942 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
4946 \remove "Clef_engraver"
4947 \remove "Key_engraver"
4948 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
4949 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
4950 \remove "Bar_engraver"
4951 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
4955 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
4956 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
4957 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
4958 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
4964 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
4965 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
4967 \notes \transpose c c' {
4968 % Punctum Inclinatum Parvum
4969 \[ \inclinatum \deminutum b \]
4970 \noBreak s^\markup {"f"}
4976 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
4980 \remove "Clef_engraver"
4981 \remove "Key_engraver"
4982 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
4983 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
4984 \remove "Bar_engraver"
4985 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
4989 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
4990 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
4991 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
4992 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5001 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5002 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5004 \notes \transpose c c' {
5007 \noBreak s^\markup {"g"}
5013 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5017 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5018 \remove "Key_engraver"
5019 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5020 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5021 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5022 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5026 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5027 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5028 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5029 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5038 @code{3. Apostropha vel Stropha}
5040 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5041 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5043 \notes \transpose c c' {
5046 \noBreak s^\markup {"h"}
5052 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5056 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5057 \remove "Key_engraver"
5058 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5059 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5060 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5061 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5065 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5066 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5067 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5068 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5074 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5075 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5077 \notes \transpose c c' {
5079 \[ \stropha \auctum b \]
5080 \noBreak s^\markup {"i"}
5086 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5090 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5091 \remove "Key_engraver"
5092 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5093 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5094 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5095 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5099 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5100 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5101 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5102 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5112 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5113 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5115 \notes \transpose c c' {
5118 \noBreak s^\markup {"j"}
5124 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5128 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5129 \remove "Key_engraver"
5130 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5131 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5132 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5133 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5137 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5138 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5139 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5140 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5149 @code{5. Clivis vel Flexa}
5151 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5152 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5154 \notes \transpose c c' {
5163 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5167 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5168 \remove "Key_engraver"
5169 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5170 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5171 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5172 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5176 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5177 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5178 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5179 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5185 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=2.0cm]
5186 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5188 \notes \transpose c c' {
5189 % Clivis Aucta Descendens
5190 \[ b \flexa \auctum \descendens g \]
5191 \noBreak s^\markup {"l"} \noBreak
5193 % Clivis Aucta Ascendens
5194 \[ b \flexa \auctum \ascendens g \]
5195 \noBreak s^\markup {"m"}
5201 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5205 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5206 \remove "Key_engraver"
5207 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5208 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5209 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5210 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5214 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5215 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5216 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5217 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5223 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5224 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5226 \notes \transpose c c' {
5228 \[ b \flexa \deminutum g \]
5235 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5239 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5240 \remove "Key_engraver"
5241 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5242 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5243 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5244 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5248 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5249 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5250 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5251 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5258 @code{6. Podatus vel Pes}
5260 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5261 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5263 \notes \transpose c c' {
5272 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5276 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5277 \remove "Key_engraver"
5278 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5279 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5280 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5281 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5285 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5286 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5287 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5288 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5294 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=2.0cm]
5295 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5297 \notes \transpose c c' {
5298 % Pes Auctus Descendens
5299 \[ g \pes \auctum \descendens b \]
5300 \noBreak s^\markup {"p"} \noBreak
5302 % Pes Auctus Ascendens
5303 \[ g \pes \auctum \ascendens b \]
5304 \noBreak s^\markup {"q"}
5310 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5314 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5315 \remove "Key_engraver"
5316 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5317 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5318 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5319 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5323 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5324 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5325 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5326 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5332 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5333 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5335 \notes \transpose c c' {
5337 \[ g \pes \deminutum b \]
5344 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5348 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5349 \remove "Key_engraver"
5350 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5351 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5352 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5353 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5357 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5358 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5359 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5360 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5367 @code{7. Pes Quassus}
5369 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5370 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5372 \notes \transpose c c' {
5374 \[ \oriscus g \pes \virga b \]
5381 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5385 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5386 \remove "Key_engraver"
5387 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5388 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5389 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5390 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5394 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5395 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5396 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5397 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5403 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5404 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5406 \notes \transpose c c' {
5407 % Pes Quassus Auctus Descendens
5408 \[ \oriscus g \pes \auctum \descendens b \]
5415 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5419 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5420 \remove "Key_engraver"
5421 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5422 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5423 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5424 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5428 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5429 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5430 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5431 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5439 @code{8. Quilisma Pes}
5441 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5442 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5444 \notes \transpose c c' {
5446 \[ \quilisma g \pes b \]
5453 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5457 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5458 \remove "Key_engraver"
5459 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5460 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5461 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5462 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5466 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5467 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5468 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5469 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5475 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5476 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5478 \notes \transpose c c' {
5479 % Quilisma Pes Auctus Descendens
5480 \[ \quilisma g \pes \auctum \descendens b \]
5487 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5491 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5492 \remove "Key_engraver"
5493 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5494 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5495 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5496 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5500 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5501 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5502 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5503 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5511 @code{9. Podatus Initio Debilis}
5513 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5514 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5516 \notes \transpose c c' {
5517 % Pes Initio Debilis
5518 \[ \deminutum g \pes b \]
5525 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5529 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5530 \remove "Key_engraver"
5531 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5532 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5533 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5534 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5538 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5539 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5540 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5541 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5547 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5548 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5550 \notes \transpose c c' {
5551 % Pes Auctus Descendens Initio Debilis
5552 \[ \deminutum g \pes \auctum \descendens b \]
5559 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5563 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5564 \remove "Key_engraver"
5565 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5566 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5567 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5568 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5572 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5573 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5574 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5575 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5585 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5586 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5588 \notes \transpose c c' {
5590 \[ a \pes b \flexa g \]
5597 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5601 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5602 \remove "Key_engraver"
5603 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5604 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5605 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5606 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5610 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5611 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5612 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5613 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5619 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5620 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5622 \notes \transpose c c' {
5623 % Torculus Auctus Descendens
5624 \[ a \pes b \flexa \auctum \descendens g \]
5631 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5635 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5636 \remove "Key_engraver"
5637 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5638 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5639 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5640 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5644 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5645 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5646 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5647 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5653 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5654 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5656 \notes \transpose c c' {
5657 % Torculus Deminutus
5658 \[ a \pes b \flexa \deminutum g \]
5665 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5669 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5670 \remove "Key_engraver"
5671 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5672 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5673 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5674 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5678 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5679 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5680 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5681 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5688 @code{11. Torculus Initio Debilis}
5690 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5691 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5693 \notes \transpose c c' {
5694 % Torculus Initio Debilis
5695 \[ \deminutum a \pes b \flexa g \]
5702 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5706 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5707 \remove "Key_engraver"
5708 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5709 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5710 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5711 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5715 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5716 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5717 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5718 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5724 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5725 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5727 \notes \transpose c c' {
5728 % Torculus Auctus Descendens Initio Debilis
5729 \[ \deminutum a \pes b \flexa \auctum \descendens g \]
5736 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5740 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5741 \remove "Key_engraver"
5742 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5743 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5744 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5745 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5749 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5750 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5751 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5752 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5758 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5759 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5761 \notes \transpose c c' {
5762 % Torculus Deminutus Initio Debilis
5763 \[ \deminutum a \pes b \flexa \deminutum g \]
5770 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5774 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5775 \remove "Key_engraver"
5776 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5777 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5778 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5779 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5783 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5784 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5785 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5786 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5793 @code{12. Porrectus}
5795 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5796 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5798 \notes \transpose c c' {
5800 \[ a \flexa g \pes b \]
5807 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5811 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5812 \remove "Key_engraver"
5813 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5814 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5815 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5816 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5820 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5821 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5822 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5823 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5829 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5830 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5832 \notes \transpose c c' {
5833 % Porrectus Auctus Descendens
5834 \[ a \flexa g \pes \auctum \descendens b \]
5841 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5845 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5846 \remove "Key_engraver"
5847 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5848 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5849 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5850 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5854 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5855 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5856 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5857 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5863 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5864 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5866 \notes \transpose c c' {
5867 % Porrectus Deminutus
5868 \[ a \flexa g \pes \deminutum b \]
5875 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5879 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5880 \remove "Key_engraver"
5881 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5882 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5883 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5884 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5888 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5889 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5890 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5891 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5900 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5901 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5903 \notes \transpose c c' {
5905 \[ \virga b \inclinatum a \inclinatum g \]
5912 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5916 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5917 \remove "Key_engraver"
5918 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5919 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5920 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5921 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5925 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5926 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5927 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5928 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5934 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5935 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5937 \notes \transpose c c' {
5939 \[ \virga b \inclinatum a \inclinatum \auctum g \]
5946 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5950 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5951 \remove "Key_engraver"
5952 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5953 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5954 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5955 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5959 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5960 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5961 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5962 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
5968 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
5969 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
5971 \notes \transpose c c' {
5972 % Climacus Deminutus
5973 \[ \virga b \inclinatum a \inclinatum \deminutum g \]
5980 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
5984 \remove "Clef_engraver"
5985 \remove "Key_engraver"
5986 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
5987 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
5988 \remove "Bar_engraver"
5989 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
5993 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
5994 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
5995 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
5996 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
6003 @code{14. Scandicus}
6005 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
6006 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
6008 \notes \transpose c c' {
6010 \[ g \pes a \virga b \]
6017 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
6021 \remove "Clef_engraver"
6022 \remove "Key_engraver"
6023 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
6024 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
6025 \remove "Bar_engraver"
6026 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
6030 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
6031 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
6032 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
6033 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
6039 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
6040 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
6042 \notes \transpose c c' {
6043 % Scandicus Auctus Descendens
6044 \[ g \pes a \pes \auctum \descendens b \]
6051 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
6055 \remove "Clef_engraver"
6056 \remove "Key_engraver"
6057 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
6058 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
6059 \remove "Bar_engraver"
6060 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
6064 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
6065 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
6066 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
6067 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
6073 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
6074 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
6076 \notes \transpose c c' {
6077 % Scandicus Deminutus
6078 \[ g \pes a \pes \deminutum b \]
6085 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
6089 \remove "Clef_engraver"
6090 \remove "Key_engraver"
6091 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
6092 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
6093 \remove "Bar_engraver"
6094 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
6098 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
6099 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
6100 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
6101 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
6110 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
6111 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
6113 \notes \transpose c c' {
6115 \[ g \oriscus a \pes \virga b \]
6122 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
6126 \remove "Clef_engraver"
6127 \remove "Key_engraver"
6128 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
6129 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
6130 \remove "Bar_engraver"
6131 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
6135 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
6136 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
6137 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
6138 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
6144 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
6145 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
6147 \notes \transpose c c' {
6148 % Salicus Auctus Descendens
6149 \[ g \oriscus a \pes \auctum \descendens b \]
6156 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
6160 \remove "Clef_engraver"
6161 \remove "Key_engraver"
6162 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
6163 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
6164 \remove "Bar_engraver"
6165 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
6169 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
6170 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
6171 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
6172 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
6182 @lilypond[noindent, 26pt, nofragment, linewidth=1.0cm]
6183 \include "gregorian-init.ly"
6185 \notes \transpose c c' {
6187 \[ \stropha b \stropha b \stropha a \]
6194 \remove "Bar_number_engraver"
6198 \remove "Clef_engraver"
6199 \remove "Key_engraver"
6200 StaffSymbol \set #'transparent = ##t
6201 \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
6202 \remove "Bar_engraver"
6203 minimumVerticalExtent = ##f
6207 \remove Ligature_bracket_engraver
6208 \consists Vaticana_ligature_engraver
6209 NoteHead \set #'style = #'vaticana_punctum
6210 Stem \set #'transparent = ##t
6221 Unlike most other neumes notation systems, the input language for
6222 neumes does not necessarily reflect directly the typographical
6223 appearance, but is designed to solely focuse on musical meaning. For
6224 example, @code{\[ a \pes b \flexa g \]} produces a Torculus consisting
6225 of three Punctum heads, while @code{\[ a \flexa g \pes b \]} produces
6226 a torculus with a curved flexa shape and only a single Punctum head.
6227 There is no command to explicitly typeset the curved flexa shape; the
6228 decision of when to typeset a curved flexa shape is purely taken from
6229 the musical input. The idea of this approach is to separate the
6230 musical aspects of the input from the notation style of the output.
6231 This way, the same input can be reused to typeset the same music in a
6232 different style of Gregorian chant notation such as Hufnagel (also
6233 known as German gothic neumes) or Medicaea (kind of a very simple
6234 forerunner of the Editio Vaticana). As soon as Hufnagel ligature
6235 engraver and Medicaea ligature engraver will have been implemented, it
6236 will be as simple as replacing the ligature engraver in the
6237 VoiceContext to get the desired notation style from the same input.
6239 The following table shows the code fragments that produce the
6240 ligatures in the above neumes table. The letter in the first column
6241 in each line of the below table indicates to which ligature in the
6242 above table it refers. The second column gives the name of the
6243 ligature. The third column shows the code fragment that produces this
6244 ligature, using @code{g}, @code{a} and @code{b} as example pitches.
6246 @multitable @columnfractions .1 .4 .5
6260 Punctum Inclinatum @tab
6261 @code{\[ \inclinatum b \]}
6265 Punctum Auctum Ascendens @tab
6266 @code{\[ \auctum \ascendens b \]}
6270 Punctum Auctum Descendens @tab
6271 @code{\[ \auctum \descendens b \]}
6275 Punctum Inclinatum Auctum @tab
6276 @code{\[ \inclinatum \auctum b \]}
6280 Punctum Inclinatum Parvum @tab
6281 @code{\[ \inclinatum \deminutum b \]}
6286 @code{\[ \virga b \]}
6291 @code{\[ \stropha b \]}
6296 @code{\[ \stropha \auctum b \]}
6301 @code{\[ \oriscus b \]}
6305 Clivis vel Flexa @tab
6306 @code{\[ b \flexa g \]}
6310 Clivis Aucta Descendens @tab
6311 @code{\[ b \flexa \auctum \descendens g \]}
6315 Clivis Aucta Ascendens @tab
6316 @code{\[ b \flexa \auctum \ascendens g \]}
6321 @code{\[ b \flexa \deminutum g \]}
6325 Podatus vel Pes @tab
6326 @code{\[ g \pes b \]}
6330 Pes Auctus Descendens @tab
6331 @code{\[ g \pes \auctum \descendens b \]}
6335 Pes Auctus Ascendens @tab
6336 @code{\[ g \pes \auctum \ascendens b \]}
6341 @code{\[ g \pes \deminutum b \]}
6346 @code{\[ \oriscus g \pes \virga b \]}
6350 Pes Quassus Auctus Descendens @tab
6351 @code{\[ \oriscus g \pes \auctum \descendens b \]}
6356 @code{\[ \quilisma g \pes b \]}
6360 Quilisma Pes Auctus Descendens @tab
6361 @code{\[ \quilisma g \pes \auctum \descendens b \]}
6365 Pes Initio Debilis @tab
6366 @code{\[ \deminutum g \pes b \]}
6370 Pes Auctus Descendens Initio Debilis @tab
6371 @code{\[ \deminutum g \pes \auctum \descendens b \]}
6376 @code{\[ a \pes b \flexa g \]}
6380 Torculus Auctus Descendens @tab
6381 @code{\[ a \pes b \flexa \auctum \descendens g \]}
6385 Torculus Deminutus @tab
6386 @code{\[ a \pes b \flexa \deminutum g \]}
6390 Torculus Initio Debilis @tab
6391 @code{\[ \deminutum a \pes b \flexa g \]}
6395 Torculus Auctus Descendens Initio Debilis @tab
6396 @code{\[ \deminutum a \pes b \flexa \auctum \descendens g \]}
6400 Torculus Deminutus Initio Debilis @tab
6401 @code{\[ \deminutum a \pes b \flexa \deminutum g \]}
6406 @code{\[ a \flexa g \pes b \]}
6410 Porrectus Auctus Descendens @tab
6411 @code{\[ a \flexa g \pes \auctum \descendens b \]}
6415 Porrectus Deminutus @tab
6416 @code{\[ a \flexa g \pes \deminutum b \]}
6421 @code{\[ \virga b \inclinatum a \inclinatum g \]}
6425 Climacus Auctus @tab
6426 @code{\[ \virga b \inclinatum a \inclinatum \auctum g \]}
6430 Climacus Deminutus @tab
6431 @code{\[ \virga b \inclinatum a \inclinatum \deminutum g \]}
6436 @code{\[ g \pes a \virga b \]}
6440 Scandicus Auctus Descendens @tab
6441 @code{\[ g \pes a \pes \auctum \descendens b \]}
6445 Scandicus Deminutus @tab
6446 @code{\[ g \pes a \pes \deminutum b \]}
6451 @code{\[ g \oriscus a \pes \virga b \]}
6455 Salicus Auctus Descendens @tab
6456 @code{\[ g \oriscus a \pes \auctum \descendens b \]}
6461 @code{\[ \stropha b \stropha b \stropha a \]}
6467 Scandicus Deminutus: Punctum Auctum Ascendens overlaps with
6468 Semivocalis head; this looks awful.
6470 Trigonus: apply equal spacing, regardless of pitch.
6473 @subsection Figured bass
6475 @cindex Basso continuo
6477 @c TODO: musicological blurb about FB
6481 LilyPond has limited support for figured bass:
6483 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment]
6485 \context Voice \notes { \clef bass dis4 c d ais}
6486 \context FiguredBass
6488 < 6 >4 < 7 >8 < 6+ [_!] >
6494 The support for figured bass consists of two parts: there is an input
6495 mode, introduced by @code{\figures}, where you can enter bass figures
6496 as numbers, and there is a context called @internalsref{FiguredBass}
6497 that takes care of making @internalsref{BassFigure} objects.
6499 In figures input mode, a group of bass figures is delimited by
6500 @code{<} and @code{>}. The duration is entered after the @code{>}.
6505 \context FiguredBass
6509 Accidentals are added to the numbers if you alterate them by
6510 appending @code{-}, @code{!} and @code{+}.
6516 \context FiguredBass
6517 \figures { <4- 6+ 7!> }
6520 Spaces or dashes may be inserted by using @code{_}. Brackets are
6521 introduced with @code{[} and @code{]}.
6527 \context FiguredBass
6528 \figures { < [4 6] 8 [_ 12]> }
6531 Although the support for figured bass may superficially resemble chord
6532 support, it works much simpler. The @code{\figures} mode simply
6533 stores the numbers , and @internalsref{FiguredBass} context prints
6534 them as entered. There is no conversion to pitches, and no
6535 realizations of the bass are played in the MIDI file.
6537 Internally, the code produces markup texts. You can use any of the
6538 markup text properties to override formatting. For example, the
6539 vertical spacing of the figures may be set with @code{baseline-skip}.
6543 @internalsref{BassFigureEvent} music, @internalsref{BassFigure} object,
6544 @internalsref{FiguredBass} context
6548 Slash notation for alterations is not supported.
6551 @node Contemporary notation
6552 @section Contemporary notation
6554 In the 20th century, composers have greatly expanded the musical
6555 vocabulary. With this expansion, many innovations in musical notation
6556 have been tried. For a comprehensive overview, refer to @cite{Stone
6557 1980} (see @ref{Literature}). In general, the use of new, innovative
6558 notation makes a piece harder to understand and perform and its use
6559 should therefore be avoided if possible. For this reason, support for
6560 contemporary notation in LilyPond is limited.
6569 @subsection Clusters
6573 In musical terminology, a @emph{cluster} denotes a range of
6574 simultaneously sounding pitches that may change over time. The set of
6575 available pitches to apply usually depends on the accoustic source.
6576 Thus, in piano music, a cluster typically consists of a continous range
6577 of the semitones as provided by the piano's fixed set of a chromatic
6578 scale. In choral music, each singer of the choir typically may sing an
6579 arbitrary pitch within the cluster's range that is not bound to any
6580 diatonic, chromatic or other scale. In electronic music, a cluster
6581 (theoretically) may even cover a continuous range of pitches, thus
6582 resulting in coloured noise, such as pink noise.
6584 Clusters can be denoted in the context of ordinary staff notation by
6585 engraving simple geometrical shapes that replace ordinary notation of
6586 notes. Ordinary notes as musical events specify starting time and
6587 duration of pitches; however, the duration of a note is expressed by the
6588 shape of the note head rather than by the horizontal graphical extent of
6589 the note symbol. In contrast, the shape of a cluster geometrically
6590 describes the development of a range of pitches (vertical extent) over
6591 time (horizontal extent). Still, the geometrical shape of a cluster
6592 covers the area in wich any single pitch contained in the cluster would
6593 be notated as an ordinary note. From this point of view, it is
6594 reasonable to specify a cluster as the envelope of a set of notes.
6598 A cluster is engraved as the envelope of a set of cluster-notes. This
6599 is achieved by applying the function @code{notes-to-cluster} to a
6600 sequence of chords, eg.
6601 @lilypond[relative 2]
6602 \apply #notes-to-cluster { << c e >> <<b f'>> }
6605 The following example (from
6606 @inputfileref{input/regression,cluster.ly}) shows what the result
6609 @lilypondfile[notexidoc]{cluster.ly}
6611 By default, @internalsref{Cluster_engraver} is in the
6612 @internalsref{Voice} context. This allows putting ordinary notes and
6613 clusters together in the same staff, even simultaneously. In such a
6614 case no attempt is made to automatically avoid collisions between
6615 ordinary notes and clusters.
6619 @internalsref{Cluster}, @inputfileref{input/regression,cluster.ly},
6620 @internalsref{Cluster_engraver}, @internalsref{ClusterEvent}.
6624 When a cluster is active, note heads must be switched off manually using
6627 Music expressions like @code{< @{ g8 e8 @} a4 >} are not printed
6628 accurately. Use @code{<<g a>>8 <<e a>>8} instead.
6633 @subsection Fermatas
6639 Contemporary music notation frequently uses special fermata symbols to
6640 indicate fermatas of differing lengths.
6644 The following are supported
6646 @lilypond[singleline]
6669 \context Lyrics \lyrics {
6670 "shortfermata" "fermata" "longfermata" "verylongfermata"
6675 See @ref{Articulations} for general instructions how to apply scripts
6676 such as fermatas to a @code{\notes@{@}} block.
6679 @section Tuning output
6681 There are situations where default layout decisions are not
6682 sufficient. In this section we discuss ways to override these
6685 Formatting is internally done by manipulating so called objects (graphic
6686 objects). Each object carries with it a set of properties (object
6687 properties) specific to that object. For example, a stem object has
6688 properties that specify its direction, length and thickness.
6690 The most direct way of tuning the output is by altering the values of
6691 these properties. There are two ways of doing that: first, you can
6692 temporarily change the definition of one type of object, thus
6693 affecting a whole set of objects. Second, you can select one specific
6694 object, and set a object property in that object.
6698 * Constructing a tweak::
6707 @node Tuning objects
6708 @subsection Tuning objects
6710 @cindex object description
6712 The definition of an object is actually a list of default object
6713 properties. For example, the definition of the Stem object (available
6714 in @file{scm/define-grobs.scm}), includes the following definitions for
6719 (beamed-lengths . (0.0 2.5 2.0 1.5))
6720 (Y-extent-callback . ,Stem::height)
6725 By adding variables on top of these existing definitions, the system
6726 default is overridden, and the appearance of a layout objects is
6732 Changing a variable for only one object is commonly achieved with
6736 \once \property @var{context}.@var{objectname}
6737 \override @var{symbol} = @var{value}
6739 Here @var{symbol} is a Scheme expression of symbol type, @var{context}
6740 and @var{objectname} is a string and @var{value} is a Scheme expression.
6741 This command applies a setting only during one moment in the score.
6743 In the following example, only one @internalsref{Stem} object is
6744 changed from its original setting:
6746 @lilypond[verbatim, fragment, relative=1]
6748 \once \property Voice.Stem \set #'thickness = #4
6752 @cindex @code{\once}
6754 For changing more objects, the same command, without @code{\once} can
6757 \property @var{context}.@var{objectname} \override @var{symbol} = @var{value}
6759 This command adds @code{@var{symbol} = @var{value}} to the definition
6760 of @var{objectname} in the context @var{context}, and this definition
6761 stays in place until it is removed.
6763 An existing definition may be removed by the following command
6766 \property @var{context}.@var{objectname} \revert @var{symbol}
6769 All @code{\override} and @code{\revert} commands should be balanced.
6770 The @code{\set} shorthand, performs a revert followed by an override,
6771 and is often more convenient to use
6774 \property @var{context}.@var{objectname} \set @var{symbol} = @var{value}
6778 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
6779 c'4 \property Voice.Stem \override #'thickness = #4.0
6781 c'4 \property Voice.Stem \revert #'thickness
6785 The following example gives exactly the same result as the previous
6786 one (assuming the system default for stem thickness is 1.3).
6788 @lilypond[verbatim,quote]
6789 c'4 \property Voice.Stem \set #'thickness = #4.0
6791 c'4 \property Voice.Stem \set #'thickness = #1.3
6795 Reverting a setting which was not set in the first place has no
6796 effect. However, if the setting was set as a system default, this may
6797 remove the default value, and this may give surprising results,
6798 including crashes. In other words, @code{\override} and
6799 @code{\revert} must be carefully balanced.
6801 These are examples of correct nesting of @code{\override}, @code{\set},
6804 A clumsy but correct form:
6806 \override \revert \override \revert \override \revert
6809 Shorter version of the same:
6811 \override \set \set \revert
6814 A short form, using only @code{\set}. This requires you to know the
6817 \set \set \set \set @var{to default value}
6820 If there is no default (i.e. by default, the object property is unset),
6823 \set \set \set \revert
6826 For the digirati, the object description is an Scheme association
6827 list. Since a Scheme list is a singly linked list, we can treat it as
6828 a stack, and @code{\override} and @code{\revert} are push and pop
6829 operations. The association list is stored in a normal context
6832 \property Voice.NoteHead = #'()
6834 will effectively erase @internalsref{NoteHead}s from the current
6835 @internalsref{Voice}. However, this mechanism is not guaranteed to
6836 work, and may cause crashes or other anomalous behavior.
6840 @internalsref{OverrideProperty}, @internalsref{RevertProperty},
6841 @internalsref{PropertySet}, @internalsref{backend properties},
6842 @internalsref{All layout objects}.
6847 The backend is not very strict in type-checking object properties.
6848 Cyclic references in @var{value} cause hangs and/or crashes.
6849 Similarly, reverting properties that are system defaults may also lead
6852 @node Constructing a tweak
6853 @subsection Constructing a tweak
6856 @cindex internal documentation
6857 @cindex finding graphical objects
6858 @cindex graphical object descriptions
6860 @cindex @code{\override}
6862 @cindex internal documentation
6866 Using @code{\override} and @code{\set}, requires three pieces of
6867 information: the name of the layout object, the context and the name
6868 of the property. We demonstrate how to glean this information from
6869 the notation manual and the generated documentation.
6871 The generated documentation is a set of HTML pages which should be
6872 included if you installed a binary distribution, typically in
6873 @file{/usr/share/doc/lilypond}. They are also available on the web:
6874 go to the @uref{LilyPond website,http://lilypond.org}, click
6875 ``Documentation: Index'' on the side bar, look in the ``Information
6876 for users'' section, and click on ``Documentation of internals.'' It
6877 is advisable to bookmark either the local HTML files if possilbe. They
6878 will load faster than the ones on the web. If you use the version
6879 from the web, you must check whether the documentation matches the
6880 program version: the documentation is generated from the definitions
6881 that the program uses, and therefore it is strongly tied to the
6885 @c [TODO: revise for new site.]
6887 Suppose we want to move the fingering indication in the fragment below
6889 @lilypond[relative=2]
6895 If you visit the documentation of @code{Fingering} (in @ref{Fingering
6896 instructions}), you will notice that it says
6901 @internalsref{FingerEvent} and @internalsref{Fingering}.
6904 This implies that the fingerings, once entered, are internally stored
6905 as @code{FingerEvent} music objects. When printed, a @code{Fingering}
6906 layout object is created for every @code{FingerEvent}.
6909 When we follow the link of @internalsref{Fingering},
6912 When we look up @internalsref{Fingering} in the generated
6915 we see a list of interfaces. The Fingering object has a number of
6916 different functions, and each of those is captured in an interface.
6918 The @code{Fingering} object has a fixed size
6919 (@internalsref{item-interface}), the symbol is a piece of text
6920 (@internalsref{text-interface}), whose font can be set
6921 (@internalsref{font-interface}). It is centered horizontally
6922 (@internalsref{self-alignment-interface}), it is placed next to other
6923 objects (@internalsref{side-position-interface}) vertically, and its
6924 placement is coordinated with other scripts
6925 (@internalsref{text-script-interface}). It also has the standard
6926 @internalsref{grob-interface} (grob stands for Graphical object)
6928 @cindex graphical object
6929 @cindex layout object
6930 @cindex object, layout
6931 with all the variables that come with
6932 it. Finally, it denotes a fingering instruction, so it has
6933 @internalsref{finger-interface}.
6935 For the vertical placement, we have to look under
6936 @code{side-position-interface}.
6938 side-position-interface
6940 Position a victim object (this one) next to other objects (the
6941 support). In this case, the direction signifies where to put the
6942 victim object relative to the support (left or right, up or down?)
6944 below this description, the variable @code{padding} is described as
6948 (dimension, in staff space)
6950 add this much extra space between objects that are next to each
6951 other. Default value: @code{0.6}
6955 By increasing the value of @code{padding}, we can move away the
6956 fingering. The following command inserts 3 staff spaces of white
6957 between the note and the fingering
6959 \once \property Voice.Fingering \set #'padding = #3
6962 Before the object is created, we get
6963 @lilypond[relative=2,fragment]
6964 \once \property Voice.Fingering
6971 The context name @code{Voice} in the example above can be determined
6972 as follows. In the documentation for @internalsref{Fingering}, it says
6974 Fingering grobs are created by: @internalsref{Fingering_engraver}
6977 Clicking @code{Fingering_engraver} shows the documentation of
6978 the module responsible for interpreting the fingering instructions and
6979 translating them to a @code{Fingering} object. Such a module is called
6980 an @emph{engraver}. The documentation of the @code{Fingering_engraver}
6983 Fingering_engraver is part of contexts: Voice and TabVoice
6985 so tuning the settings for Fingering should be done using either
6987 \property Voice.Fingering \set @dots{}
6991 \property TabVoice.Fingering \set @dots{}
6994 Since the @code{TabVoice} is only used for tab notation, we see that
6995 the first guess @code{Voice} was indeed correct.
6997 Of course, the tweak may also done in a larger context than
6998 @code{Voice}, for example, @internalsref{Staff} or
6999 @internalsref{Score}.
7001 The internals document also contains alphabetical lists of
7002 @internalsref{All contexts}, @internalsref{All layout objects} and
7003 @internalsref{All music types}, so you can also find which objects to
7004 tweak by browsing the internals document.
7008 @subsection Applyoutput
7010 The most versatile way of tuning object is @code{\applyoutput}. Its
7013 \applyoutput @var{proc}
7015 where @var{proc} is a Scheme function, taking four arguments.
7017 When interpreted, the function @var{proc} is called for every layout object found
7018 in the context, with the following arguments:
7020 @item the layout object itself
7021 @item the context where the layout object was created
7022 @item the context where @code{\applyoutput} is processed.
7025 In addition, the cause of the layout object, i.e. the music
7026 expression or object that was responsible for creating it, is in the
7027 object property @code{cause}. For example, for a note head, this is a
7028 @internalsref{NoteHead} event, and for a @internalsref{Stem} object,
7029 this is a @internalsref{NoteHead} object.
7032 @node Outputproperty
7033 @subsection Outputproperty
7035 @cindex \outputproperty
7037 Another way of tuning objects is the more arcane @code{\outputproperty}
7038 feature. The syntax is as follows:
7040 \outputproperty @var{predicate} @var{symbol} = @var{value}
7042 Here @code{predicate} is a Scheme function taking an object argument, and
7043 returning a boolean. This statement is processed by the
7044 @code{Output_property_engraver}. It instructs the engraver to feed all
7045 objects that it sees to @var{predicate}. Whenever the predicate returns
7046 true, the object property @var{symbol} will be set to @var{value}.
7048 You will need to combine this statement with @code{\context} to select
7049 the appropriate context to apply this to.
7050 @inputfileref{input/regression,output-property.ly} shows an example of
7051 the use of @code{\outputproperty}.
7055 If possible, avoid this feature: the semantics are not very clean, and
7056 the syntax and semantics are up for rewrite.
7059 @node Font selection
7060 @subsection Font selection
7062 The most common thing to change about the appearance of fonts is
7063 their size. The font size of any context can be easily
7064 changed by setting the @code{fontSize} property for that context:
7066 @lilypond[fragment,relative=1,verbatim,quote]
7067 c4 c4 \property Voice.fontSize = #-1
7070 This command will set @code{font-relative-size} (see below),
7071 and does not change the size of variable symbols, such as
7072 beams or slurs. You can use this command to get smaller symbol for
7073 cue notes, but that involves some more subtleties. An elaborate
7074 example of those is in @inputfileref{input/test,cue-notes.ly}.
7076 @cindex magnification
7078 The size of the font may be scaled with the object property
7079 @code{font-magnification}. For example, @code{2.0} blows up all
7080 letters by a factor 2 in both directions.
7089 The font used for printing a object can be selected by setting
7090 @code{font-name}, e.g.
7092 \property Staff.TimeSignature
7093 \set #'font-name = #"cmr17"
7095 You may use any font which is available to @TeX{}, such as foreign
7096 fonts or fonts that do not belong to the Computer Modern font family.
7098 Font selection for the standard fonts, @TeX{}'s Computer Modern fonts,
7099 can also be adjusted with a more fine-grained mechanism. By setting
7100 the object properties described below, you can select a different font.
7101 All three mechanisms work for every object that supports
7102 @code{font-interface}.
7106 A symbol indicating the general class of the typeface. Supported are
7107 @code{roman} (Computer Modern), @code{braces} (for piano staff
7108 braces), @code{music} (the standard music font, including ancient
7109 glyphs), @code{dynamic} (for dynamic signs) and @code{typewriter}.
7112 A symbol indicating the shape of the font, there are typically several
7113 font shapes available for each font family. Choices are @code{italic},
7114 @code{caps} and @code{upright}
7117 A symbol indicating the series of the font. There are typically several
7118 font series for each font family and shape. Choices are @code{medium}
7121 @item font-relative-size
7122 A number indicating the size relative the standard size. For example,
7123 with 20pt staff height, relative size -1 corresponds to 16pt staff
7124 height, and relative size +1 corresponds to 23 pt staff height.
7126 There are small differences in design between fonts designed for
7127 different sizes, hence @code{font-relative-size} is preferred over
7128 @code{font-magnification} for changing font sizes.
7131 @item font-design-size
7132 A number indicating the design size of the font.
7134 This is a feature of the Computer Modern Font: each point size has a
7135 slightly different design. Smaller design sizes are relatively wider,
7136 which enhances readability.
7139 For any of these properties, the value @code{*} (i.e. the symbol
7140 @code{*}, entered as @code{#'*}), acts as a wildcard. This can be used
7141 to override default setting, which are always present. For example:
7143 \property Lyrics.LyricText \override #'font-series = #'bold
7144 \property Lyrics.LyricText \override #'font-family = #'typewriter
7145 \property Lyrics.LyricText \override #'font-shape = #'*
7148 @cindex @code{font-style}
7152 The following commands set @code{fontSize} for the current voice.
7156 @refcommand normalsize
7160 Relative size is not linked to any real size.
7162 There is no style sheet provided for other fonts besides the @TeX{}
7163 family, and the style sheet cannot be modified easily.
7165 @cindex font selection
7166 @cindex font magnification
7167 @cindex @code{font-interface}
7171 @subsection Text markup
7176 @cindex typeset text
7178 LilyPond has an internal mechanism to typeset texts. You can access it
7179 with the keyword @code{\markup}. Within markup mode, you can enter texts
7180 similar to lyrics: simply enter them, surrounded by spaces.
7183 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment,relative=1]
7184 c1^\markup { hello }
7185 c1_\markup { hi there }
7186 c1^\markup { hi \bold there, is \italic anyone home? }
7189 @cindex font switching
7191 The line of the example demonstrates font switching commands. The
7192 command only apply to the first following word; enclose a set of texts
7193 with braces to apply a command to more words.
7195 \markup @{ \bold @{ hi there @} @}
7197 For clarity, you can also do this for single arguments, e.g.
7199 \markup @{ is \italic @{ anyone @} home @}
7202 @cindex font size, texts
7204 The following size commands set abolute sizes
7220 You can also make letter larger or smaller relative to their neighbors,
7221 with the commands @code{\larger} and @code{\smaller}.
7225 @cindex font style, for texts
7231 The following font change commands are defined:
7234 This changes to the font used for dynamic signs. This font does not
7235 contain all characters of the alphabet, so when producing ``piu f'',
7236 the ``piu'' should be done in a different font.
7240 This changes to the font used for time signatures. It only contains
7241 numbers and a few punctuation marks.
7243 Changes @code{font-shape} to @code{italic}
7245 Changes @code{font-series} to @code{bold}
7248 @cindex raising text
7249 @cindex lowering text
7251 @cindex translating text
7256 Raising and lowering texts can be done with @code{\super} and
7259 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment,relative=1]
7260 c1^\markup { E "=" mc \super "2" }
7265 If you want to give an explicit amount for lowering or raising, use
7266 @code{\raise}. This command takes a Scheme valued first argument, and
7267 a markup object as second argument
7269 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment,relative=1,quote]
7270 c1^\markup { C \small \raise #1.0 \bold { "9/7+" }}
7272 The argument to @code{\raise} is the vertical displacement amount,
7273 measured in (global) staff spaces.
7275 Other commands taking single arguments include
7278 @item \bracket, \hbracket
7279 Bracket the argument markup with normal and horizontal brackets
7284 This is converted to a musical symbol, e.g. @code{\musicglyph
7285 #"accidentals-0"} will select the natural sign from the music font.
7286 See @ref{The Feta font} for a complete listing of the possible glyphs.
7288 This produces a single character, e.g. @code{\char #65} produces the
7292 @cindex \note @var{log} @var{dots} @var{dir}
7294 This produces a note with a stem pointing in @var{dir} direction, with
7295 duration log @var{log} and @var{dots} augmentation dots.
7297 @item \hspace #@var{amount}
7299 This produces a invisible object taking horizontal space.
7301 \markup @{ A \hspace #2.0 B @}
7303 will put extra space between A and B, on top of the space that is
7304 normally inserted before elements on a line.
7306 @item \fontsize #@var{size}
7308 This sets the relative font size, eg.
7310 A \fontsize #2 @{ B C @} D
7314 This will enlarge the B and the C by two steps.
7315 @item \translate #(cons @var{x} @var{y})
7317 This translates an object. Its first argument is a cons of numbers
7319 A \translate #(cons 2 -3) @{ B C @} D
7321 This moves `B C' 2 spaces to the right, and 3 down.
7323 @item \magnify #@var{mag}
7325 This sets the font magnification for the its argument. In the following
7326 example, the middle A will be 10% larger.
7328 A \magnify #1.1 @{ A @} A
7332 @item \override #(@var{key} . @var{value})
7334 This overrides a formatting property for its argument. The argument
7335 should be a key/value pair, e.g.
7337 m \override #'(font-family . math) m m
7341 In markup mode you can compose expressions, similar to mathematical
7342 expressions, XML documents and music expressions. The braces group
7343 notes into horizontal lines. Other types of lists also exist: you can
7344 stack expressions grouped with @code{<<}, and @code{>>} vertically with
7345 the command @code{\column}. Similarly, @code{\center} aligns texts by
7348 @lilypond[verbatim,fragment,relative=1]
7349 c1^\markup { \column << a bbbb c >> }
7350 c1^\markup { \center << a bbbb c >> }
7351 c1^\markup { \line << a b c >> }
7354 The markup mechanism is extensible. Refer to
7355 @file{scm/new-markup.scm} for more information on extending the markup
7362 @internalsref{Markup functions}, @file{scm/new-markup.scm}
7369 Text layout is ultimately done by @TeX{}, which does kerning of
7370 letters. LilyPond does not account for kerning, so texts will be
7371 spaced slightly too wide.
7373 Syntax errors for markup mode are confusing.
7377 @section Global layout
7379 The global layout determined by three factors: the page layout, the
7380 line breaks and the spacing. These all influence each other. The
7381 choice of spacing determines how densely each system of music is set,
7382 which influences where line breaks breaks are chosen, and thus
7383 ultimately how many pages a piece of music takes. In this section, the
7384 algorithm for spacing music is explained, and how spacing can be
7387 Globally spoken, this procedure happens in three steps: first,
7388 flexible distances (``springs'') are chosen, based on durations. All
7389 possible line breaking combination are tried, and the one with the
7390 best results---a layout that has uniform density and requires as
7391 little stretching or cramping as possible---is chosen. When the score
7392 is processed by @TeX{}, each page is filled with systems, and page breaks
7393 are chosen whenever the page gets full.
7398 * Vertical spacing::
7399 * Horizontal spacing::
7406 @node Vertical spacing
7407 @subsection Vertical spacing
7409 @cindex vertical spacing
7410 @cindex distance between staves
7411 @cindex staff distance
7412 @cindex between staves, distance
7413 @cindex staffs per page
7416 The height of each system is determined automatically by lilypond, to
7417 keep systems from bumping into each other, some minimum distances are
7418 set. By changing these, you can put staves closer together, and thus
7419 put more systems onto one page.
7421 Normally staves are stacked vertically. To make
7422 staves maintain a distance, their vertical size is padded. This is
7423 done with the property @code{minimumVerticalExtent}. It takes a pair
7424 of numbers, so if you want to make it smaller from its, then you could
7427 \property Staff.minimumVerticalExtent = #'(-4 . 4)
7429 This sets the vertical size of the current staff to 4 staff-space on
7430 either side of the center staff line. The argument of
7431 @code{minimumVerticalExtent} is interpreted as an interval, where the
7432 center line is the 0, so the first number is generally negative. The
7433 staff can be made larger at the bottom by setting it to @code{(-6
7436 The piano staves are handled a little differently: to make cross-staff
7437 beaming work correctly, it necessary that the distance between staves
7438 is fixed beforehand. This is also done with a
7439 @internalsref{VerticalAlignment} object, created in
7440 @internalsref{PianoStaff}. In this object the distance between the
7441 staves is fixed by setting @code{forced-distance}. If you want to
7442 override this, use a @code{\translator} block as follows:
7446 VerticalAlignment \override #'forced-distance = #9
7449 This would bring the staves together at a distance of 9 staff spaces,
7450 measured from the center line of each staff.
7454 Vertical aligment of staves is handled by the
7455 @internalsref{VerticalAlignment} object.
7459 @node Horizontal spacing
7460 @subsection Horizontal Spacing
7462 The spacing engine translates differences in durations into
7463 stretchable distances (``springs'') of differing lengths. Longer
7464 durations get more space, shorter durations get less. The shortest
7465 durations get a fixed amount of space (which is controlled by
7466 @code{shortest-duration-space} in the @internalsref{SpacingSpanner}
7467 object). The longer the duration, the more space it gets: doubling a
7468 duration adds a fixed amount (this amount is controlled by
7469 @code{spacing-increment}) of space to the note.
7471 For example, the following piece contains lots of half, quarter and
7472 8th notes, the eighth note is followed by 1 note head width (NHW).
7473 The quarter note is followed by 2 NHW, the half by 3 NHW, etc.
7474 @lilypond[fragment, verbatim, relative=1] c2 c4. c8 c4. c8 c4. c8 c8
7478 Normally, @code{shortest-duration-space} is set to 1.2, which is the
7479 width of a note head, and @code{shortest-duration-space} is set to
7480 2.0, meaning that the shortest note gets 2 NHW (2 times
7481 @code{shortest-duration-space}) of space. For normal notes, this space
7482 is always counted from the left edge of the symbol, so the shortest
7483 notes are generally followed by one NHW of space.
7485 If one would follow the above procedure exactly, then adding a single
7486 32th note to a score that uses 8th and 16th notes, would widen up the
7487 entire score a lot. The shortest note is no longer a 16th, but a 32nd,
7488 thus adding 2 noteheads of space to every note. To prevent this, the
7489 shortest duration for spacing is not the shortest note in the score,
7490 but the most commonly found shortest note. Notes that are even
7491 shorter this are followed by a space that is proportonial to their
7492 duration relative to the common shortest note. So if we were to add
7493 only a few 16th notes to the example above, they would be followed by
7496 @lilypond[fragment, verbatim, relative=2]
7497 c2 c4. c8 c4. c16-[ c-] c4. c8 c8 c8 c4 c4 c4
7500 The most common shortest duration is determined as follows: in every
7501 measure, the shortest duration is determined. The most common short
7502 duration, is taken as the basis for the spacing, with the stipulation
7503 that this shortest duration should always be equal to or shorter than
7504 1/8th note. The shortest duration is printed when you run lilypond
7505 with @code{--verbose}. These durations may also be customized. If you
7506 set the @code{common-shortest-duration} in
7507 @internalsref{SpacingSpanner}, then this sets the base duration for
7508 spacing. The maximum duration for this base (normally 1/8th), is set
7509 through @code{base-shortest-duration}.
7511 @cindex @code{common-shortest-duration}
7512 @cindex @code{base-shortest-duration}
7513 @cindex @code{stem-spacing-correction}
7514 @cindex @code{spacing}
7516 In the introduction it was explained that stem directions influence
7517 spacing. This is controlled with @code{stem-spacing-correction}
7518 property in @internalsref{NoteSpacing}, which are generated for every
7519 @internalsref{Voice} context. The @code{StaffSpacing} object
7520 (generated at @internalsref{Staff} context) contains the same property
7521 for controlling the stem/barline spacing. The following example
7522 shows these corrections, once with default settings, and once with
7523 exaggerated corrections.
7529 \property Staff.NoteSpacing \override #'stem-spacing-correction
7531 \property Staff.StaffSpacing \override #'stem-spacing-correction
7536 \paper { raggedright = ##t } }
7539 @cindex SpacingSpanner, overriding properties
7541 Properties of the @internalsref{SpacingSpanner} must be overridden
7542 from the @code{\paper} block, since the @internalsref{SpacingSpanner}
7543 is created before any @code{\property} statements are interpreted.
7545 \paper @{ \translator @{
7547 SpacingSpanner \override #'spacing-increment = #3.0
7554 @internalsref{SpacingSpanner}, @internalsref{NoteSpacing},
7555 @internalsref{StaffSpacing}, @internalsref{SeparationItem},
7556 @internalsref{SeparatingGroupSpanner}.
7560 Spacing is determined on a score wide basis. If you have a score that
7561 changes its character (measured in durations) halfway during the
7562 score, the part containing the longer durations will be spaced too
7565 There is no convenient mechanism to manually override spacing.
7570 @subsection Font size
7571 @cindex font size, setting
7572 @cindex staff size, setting
7573 @cindex @code{paper} file
7575 The Feta font provides musical symbols at seven different sizes.
7576 These fonts are 11 point, 13 point, 16 point, 20 point, 23 point, and
7577 26 point. The point size of a font is the height of the corresponding
7578 staff (excluding line thicknesses).
7580 Definitions for these sizes are the files @file{paperSZ.ly}, where
7581 @code{SZ} is one of 11, 13, 16, 20, 23 and 26. If you include any
7582 of these files, the variables @code{paperEleven},
7583 @code{paperThirteen}, @code{paperSixteen},
7584 @code{paperTwenty}, @code{paperTwentythree}, and @code{paperTwentysix}
7585 are defined respectively. The default @code{\paper} block is also
7586 set. These files should be imported at toplevel, i.e.
7588 \include "paper26.ly"
7592 The font definitions are generated using a Scheme function. For more
7593 details, see the file @file{scm/font.scm}.
7598 @subsection Line breaking
7601 @cindex breaking lines
7603 Line breaks are normally computed automatically. They are chosen such
7604 that lines look neither cramped nor loose, and that consecutive lines
7605 have similar density.
7607 Occasionally you might want to override the automatic breaks; you can
7608 do this by specifying @code{\break}. This will force a line break at
7609 this point. Line breaks can only occur at places where there are bar
7610 lines. If you want to have a line break where there is no bar line,
7611 you can force an invisible bar line by entering @code{\bar
7612 ""}. Similarly, @code{\noBreak} forbids a line break at a
7616 @cindex regular line breaks
7617 @cindex four bar music.
7619 If you want linebreaks at regular intervals, you can use the following:
7621 < \repeat unfold 7 @{ s1 * 4 \break @}
7622 @emph{the real music}
7625 This makes the following 28 measures (assuming 4/4 time) be broken every
7630 @internalsref{BreakEvent}
7634 @subsection Page layout
7637 @cindex breaking pages
7639 @cindex @code{indent}
7640 @cindex @code{linewidth}
7642 The most basic settings influencing the spacing are @code{indent} and
7643 @code{linewidth}. They are set in the @code{\paper} block. They
7644 control the indentation of the first line of music, and the lengths of
7647 If @code{raggedright} is set to true in the @code{\paper}
7648 block, then the lines are justified at their natural length. This
7649 useful for short fragments, and for checking how tight the natural
7653 @cindex vertical spacing
7655 The page layout process happens outside the LilyPond formatting
7656 engine: variables controlling page layout are passed to the output,
7657 and are further interpreted by @code{ly2dvi}. @code{ly2dvi} responds
7658 to the following variables in the @code{\paper} block. The variable
7659 @code{textheight} sets the total height of the music on each page.
7660 The spacing between systems is controlled with @code{interscoreline},
7661 its default is 16pt. The distance between the score lines will
7662 stretch in order to fill the full page @code{interscorelinefill} is
7663 set to a positive number. In that case @code{interscoreline}
7664 specifies the minimum spacing.
7666 @cindex @code{textheight}
7667 @cindex @code{interscoreline}
7668 @cindex @code{interscorelinefill}
7670 If the variable @code{lastpagefill} is defined,
7671 @c fixme: this should only be done if lastpagefill == #t
7672 systems are evenly distributed vertically on the last page. This
7673 might produce ugly results in case there are not enough systems on the
7674 last page. The @command{lilypond-book} command ignores
7675 @code{lastpagefill}. See @ref{lilypond-book manual} for more
7678 @cindex @code{lastpagefill}
7680 Page breaks are normally computed by @TeX{}, so they are not under
7681 direct control of LilyPond. However, you can insert a commands into
7682 the @file{.tex} output to instruct @TeX{} where to break pages. This
7683 is done by setting the @code{between-systems-strings} on the
7684 @internalsref{NonMusicalPaperColumn} where the system is broken.
7685 An example is shown in @inputfileref{input/regression,between-systems.ly}.
7686 The predefined command @code{\newpage} also does this.
7690 @cindex @code{papersize}
7692 To change the paper size, you must first set the
7693 @code{papersize} paper variable variable. Set it to
7694 the strings @code{a4}, @code{letter}, or @code{legal}. After this
7695 specification, you must set the font as described above. If you want
7696 the default font, then use the 20 point font.
7699 \paper@{ papersize = "a4" @}
7700 \include "paper16.ly"
7703 The file @code{paper16.ly} will now include a file named @file{a4.ly}, which
7704 will set the paper variables @code{hsize} and @code{vsize} (used by
7705 Lilypond and @code{ly2dvi})
7715 @ref{Invoking ly2dvi},
7716 @inputfileref{input/regression,between-systems.ly},
7717 @internalsref{NonMusicalPaperColumn}.
7721 There is no concept of page breaking, which makes it difficult to
7722 choose sensible page breaks in multi-page pieces.
7731 Entered music can also be converted to MIDI output. The performance
7732 is good enough for proof-hearing the music for errors.
7734 Ties, dynamics and tempo changes are interpreted. Dynamic marks,
7735 crescendi and decrescendi translate into MIDI volume levels. Dynamic
7736 marks translate to a fixed fraction of the available MIDI volume
7737 range, crescendi and decrescendi make the volume vary linearly between
7738 their two extremities. The fractions be adjusted by
7739 @code{dynamicAbsoluteVolumeFunction} in @internalsref{Voice} context.
7740 For each type of MIDI instrument, a volume range can be defined. This
7741 gives you basic equalizer control, which can enhance the quality of
7742 the MIDI output remarkably. The equalizer can be controlled by
7743 setting @code{instrumentEqualizer}.
7747 Many musically interesting effects, such as swing, articulation,
7748 slurring, etc., are not translated to MIDI.
7753 * MIDI instrument names::
7758 @subsection MIDI block
7762 The MIDI block is analogous to the paper block, but it is somewhat
7763 simpler. The @code{\midi} block can contain:
7767 @item a @code{\tempo} definition
7768 @item context definitions
7771 Assignments in the @code{\midi} block are not allowed.
7775 @cindex context definition
7777 Context definitions follow precisely the same syntax as within the
7778 \paper block. Translation modules for sound are called performers.
7779 The contexts for MIDI output are defined in @file{ly/performer-init.ly}.
7782 @node MIDI instrument names
7783 @subsection MIDI instrument names
7785 @cindex instrument names
7786 @cindex @code{Staff.midiInstrument}
7787 @cindex @code{Staff.instrument}
7789 The MIDI instrument name is set by the @code{Staff.midiInstrument}
7790 property or, if that property is not set, the @code{Staff.instrument}
7791 property. The instrument name should be chosen from the list in
7792 @ref{MIDI instruments}.
7796 If the selected string does not exactly match, then LilyPond uses the
7797 default (Grand Piano). It is not possible to select an instrument by