1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
3 Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
5 When revising a translation, copy the HEAD committish of the
6 version that you are working on. See TRANSLATION for details.
12 Since LilyPond input files are text, there are two issues to
13 consider when working with vocal music:
17 Song texts must be entered as text, not notes. For example, the
18 input@tie{}@code{d} should be interpreted as a one letter syllable, not the
22 Song texts must be aligned with the notes of their melody.
25 There are a few different ways to define lyrics; we shall begin
26 by examining the simplest method, and gradually increase complexity.
30 * Aligning lyrics to a melody::
31 * Vocals and variables::
32 * Flexibility in placement::
34 * More about stanzas::
39 Checking to make sure that text scripts and lyrics are within the margins is
40 a relatively large computational task. To speed up processing, lilypond does
41 not perform such calculations by default; to enable it, use
44 \override Score.PaperColumn #'keep-inside-line = ##t
47 To make lyrics avoid bar lines as well, use
53 \consists "Bar_engraver"
54 \consists "Separating_line_group_engraver"
55 \override BarLine #'transparent = ##t
62 @subsection Simple lyrics
65 * Setting simple songs::
69 @node Setting simple songs
70 @unnumberedsubsubsec Setting simple songs
74 The easiest way to add lyrics to a melody is to append
77 \addlyrics @{ @var{the lyrics} @}
81 to a melody. Here is an example,
83 @lilypond[ragged-right,verbatim,fragment,quote]
85 \relative { c2 e4 g2. }
86 \addlyrics { play the game }
89 More stanzas can be added by adding more
90 @code{\addlyrics} sections
92 @lilypond[ragged-right,verbatim,fragment,quote]
94 \relative { c2 e4 g2. }
95 \addlyrics { play the game }
96 \addlyrics { speel het spel }
97 \addlyrics { joue le jeu }
100 The command @code{\addlyrics} cannot handle polyphony settings. For these
101 cases you should use @code{\lyricsto} and @code{\lyricmode}, as will be
102 introduced in @ref{Entering lyrics}.
106 @node Entering lyrics
107 @unnumberedsubsubsec Entering lyrics
112 @cindex spaces, in lyrics
113 @cindex quotes, in lyrics
115 Lyrics are entered in a special input mode, which can be introduced
116 by the keyword @code{\lyricmode}, or by using @code{\addlyrics} or
117 @code{\lyricsto}. In this mode you can enter lyrics,
118 with punctuation and accents, and the input @code{d} is not parsed as
119 a pitch, but rather as a one letter syllable. Syllables are entered
120 like notes, but with pitches replaced by text. For example,
123 \lyricmode @{ Twin-4 kle4 twin- kle litt- le star2 @}
126 There are two main methods to specify the horizontal placement
127 of the syllables, either by specifying the duration of each syllable
128 explicitly, like in the example above, or by automatically aligning
129 the lyrics to a melody or other voice of music, using @code{\addlyrics}
132 @c For more details see @ref{The Lyrics context}.
134 A word or syllable of lyrics begins with an alphabetic character, and ends
136 any space or digit. The following characters can be any character
137 that is not a digit or white space.
139 Any character that is not a digit or white space will be regarded as
140 part of the syllable; one important consequence of this is that a word
141 can end with @code{@}}, which often leads to the following mistake:
144 \lyricmode @{ lah- lah@}
147 In this example, the @code{@}} is included in the final syllable, so the
148 opening brace is not balanced and the input file will probably not
152 @funindex \property in \lyricmode
155 Similarly, a period which follows an alphabetic sequence is included in
156 the resulting string. As a consequence, spaces must be inserted around
157 property commands: do @emph{not} write
160 \override Score.LyricText #'font-shape = #'italic
167 \override Score . LyricText #'font-shape = #'italic
171 @cindex spaces, in lyrics
172 @cindex quotes, in lyrics
173 @cindex ties, in lyrics
175 In order to assign more than one syllable to a single note, you can
176 surround them with quotes or use a @code{_} character, to get spaces
177 between syllables, or use tilde symbol (@code{~}) to get a lyric tie.
179 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
181 \relative { c2 e4 g2 e4 }
182 \addlyrics { gran- de_a- mi- go }
183 \addlyrics { pu- "ro y ho-" nes- to }
184 \addlyrics { pu- ro~y~ho- nes- to }
187 The lyric tie is implemented with the Unicode character U+203F, so be
188 sure to have a font (Like DejaVuLGC) installed that includes this
192 To enter lyrics with characters from non-English languages, or with
193 accented and special characters (such as the heart symbol or slanted quotes),
194 simply insert the characters directly into the input file and save
195 it with utf-8 encoding. See @ref{Text encoding}, for more info.
197 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
198 \relative { e4 f e d e f e2 }
199 \addlyrics { He said: “Let my peo ple goâ€
\9d. }
202 To use normal quotes in lyrics, add a backslash before the
205 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
206 \relative c' { \time 3/4 e4 e4. e8 d4 e d c2. }
207 \addlyrics { "\"I" am so lone- "ly\"" said she }
210 The full definition of a word start in Lyrics mode is somewhat more
213 A word in Lyrics mode begins with: an alphabetic character, @code{_},
214 @code{?}, @code{!}, @code{:}, @code{'}, the control characters @code{^A}
215 through @code{^F}, @code{^Q} through @code{^W}, @code{^Y}, @code{^^},
216 any 8-bit character with ASCII code over 127, or a two-character
217 combination of a backslash followed by one of @code{`}, @code{'},
218 @code{"}, or @code{^}.
220 To define variables containing lyrics, the function @code{lyricmode}
224 verseOne = \lyricmode @{ Joy to the world the Lord is come @}
227 \new Voice = "one" \relative c'' @{
230 c4 b8. a16 g4. f8 e4 d c2
232 \addlyrics @{ \verseOne @}
240 Internals Reference: @internalsref{LyricText}, @internalsref{LyricSpace}.
243 @node Aligning lyrics to a melody
244 @subsection Aligning lyrics to a melody
251 Lyrics are printed by interpreting them in the context called
252 @internalsref{Lyrics}.
255 \new Lyrics \lyricmode @dots{}
258 There are two main methods to specify the horizontal placement
263 by automatically aligning
264 the lyrics to a melody or other voice of music, using @code{\addlyrics}
268 or by specifying the duration of each syllable
269 explicitly, using @code{\lyricmode}
273 * Automatic syllable durations::
274 * Another way of entering lyrics::
275 * Assigning more than one syllable to a single note::
276 * More than one note on a single syllable::
277 * Extenders and hyphens::
280 @node Automatic syllable durations
281 @unnumberedsubsubsec Automatic syllable durations
283 @cindex automatic syllable durations
284 @cindex lyrics and melodies
286 The lyrics can be aligned under a given melody
287 automatically. This is achieved by combining the
288 melody and the lyrics with the @code{\lyricsto} expression
291 \new Lyrics \lyricsto @var{name} @dots{}
294 This aligns the lyrics to the
295 notes of the @internalsref{Voice} context called @var{name}, which must
296 already exist. Therefore normally the @code{Voice} is specified first, and
297 then the lyrics are specified with @code{\lyricsto}. The command
298 @code{\lyricsto} switches to @code{\lyricmode} mode automatically, so the
299 @code{\lyricmode} keyword may be omitted.
301 The following example uses different commands for entering lyrics.
303 @lilypond[quote,fragment,ragged-right,verbatim]
305 \new Voice = "one" \relative c'' {
308 c4 b8. a16 g4. f8 e4 d c2
310 \new Lyrics \lyricmode { Joy4 to8. the16 world!4. the8 Lord4 is come.2 }
311 \new Lyrics \lyricmode { Joy to the earth! the Sa -- viour reigns. }
312 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "one" { No more let sins and sor -- rows grow. }
316 The second stanza is not properly aligned because the durations
317 were not specified. A solution for that would be to use @code{\lyricsto}.
319 The @code{\addlyrics} command is actually just a convenient way
320 to write a more complicated LilyPond structure that sets up the
325 \addlyrics @{ LYRICS @}
332 \new Voice = "blah" @{ music @}
333 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "blah" @{ LYRICS @}
336 @node Another way of entering lyrics
337 @unnumberedsubsubsec Another way of entering lyrics
339 Lyrics can also be entered without @code{\addlyrics} or
340 @code{\lyricsto}. In this case,
341 syllables are entered like notes -- but with pitches replaced by text -- and the
342 duration of each syllable must be entered explicitly. For example:
349 The alignment to a melody can be specified with the
350 @code{associatedVoice} property,
353 \set associatedVoice = #"lala"
357 The value of the property (here: @code{"lala"}) should be the name of
358 a @internalsref{Voice} context. Without this setting, extender lines
359 will not be formatted properly.
361 Here is an example demonstrating manual lyric durations,
363 @lilypond[relative=1,ragged-right,verbatim,fragment,quote]
364 << \new Voice = "melody" {
368 \new Lyrics \lyricmode {
369 \set associatedVoice = #"melody"
376 Internals Reference: @internalsref{Lyrics}.
379 @node Assigning more than one syllable to a single note
380 @unnumberedsubsubsec Assigning more than one syllable to a single note
384 @cindex ties, in lyrics
386 In order to assign more than one syllable to a single note, you can
387 surround them with quotes or use a @code{_} character, to get spaces
388 between syllables, or use tilde symbol (@code{~}) to get a lyric
389 tie@footnote{The lyric ties is implemented with the Unicode character
391 sure to have a font (Like DejaVuLGC) installed that includes this
394 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
396 \relative { c2 e4 g2 e4 }
397 \addlyrics { gran- de_a- mi- go }
398 \addlyrics { pu- "ro y ho-" nes- to }
399 \addlyrics { pu- ro~y~ho- nes- to }
404 Internals Reference: @internalsref{LyricCombineMusic}.
406 @c Here come the section which used to be "Melismata"
407 @c the new title might be more self-explanatory
410 @node More than one note on a single syllable
411 @unnumberedsubsubsec More than one note on a single syllable
415 @cindex phrasing, in lyrics
417 Sometimes, particularly in Medieval music, several notes are to be sung on one
418 single syllable; such vocalises are called melismas, or melismata.
420 @c this method seems to be the simplest; therefore
421 @c it might be better to present it first - vv
423 You can define melismata entirely in the lyrics, by entering @code{_}
425 that is part of the melisma.
427 @lilypond[relative=1,verbatim,fragment,quote]
428 { \set melismaBusyProperties = #'()
429 c d( e) f f( e) e e }
431 { Ky -- _ _ ri __ _ _ _ e }
434 In this case, you can also have ties and slurs in the melody if you
435 set @code{melismaBusyProperties}, as is done in the example above.
437 However, the @code{\lyricsto} command can also
438 detect melismata automatically: it only puts one
439 syllable under a tied or slurred group of notes. If you want to force
440 an unslurred group of notes to be a melisma, insert @code{\melisma}
441 after the first note of the group, and @code{\melismaEnd} after the
444 @lilypond[quote,relative=2,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
446 \new Voice = "lala" {
454 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "lala" {
460 In addition, notes are considered a melisma if they are manually
461 beamed, and automatic beaming (see @ref{Setting automatic beam
462 behavior}) is switched off.
464 @c TODO: there might be some more relevant place for
465 @c the following link (?)
470 A complete example of a SATB score setup is in section
471 @rlearning{Vocal ensembles}.
476 @code{\melisma}, @code{\melismaEnd}
477 @funindex \melismaEnd
482 Internals Reference: @internalsref{Melisma_translator}.
484 @lsr{vocal,lyric@/-combine.ly}.
488 Melismata are not detected automatically, and extender lines must be
491 @node Extenders and hyphens
492 @unnumberedsubsubsec Extenders and hyphens
497 @c leave this as samp. -gp
498 Melismata are indicated with a horizontal line centered between a syllable
499 and the next one. Such a line is called an extender line, and it is entered
500 as @samp{ __ } (note the spaces before and after the two underscore
505 @c leave this as samp. -gp
506 Centered hyphens are entered as @samp{ -- } between syllables of a same word
507 (note the spaces before and after the two hyphen characters). The hyphen
508 will be centered between the syllables, and its length will be adjusted
509 depending on the space between the syllables.
511 In tighly engraved music, hyphens can be removed. Whether this
512 happens can be controlled with the @code{minimum-distance} (minimum
513 distance between two syllables) and the @code{minimum-length}
514 (threshold below which hyphens are removed).
518 Internals Reference: @internalsref{LyricExtender},
519 @internalsref{LyricHyphen}
522 @node Vocals and variables
523 @subsection Vocals and variables
526 * Working with lyrics and variables::
529 @node Working with lyrics and variables
530 @unnumberedsubsubsec Working with lyrics and variables
532 @cindex lyrics, variables
534 To define variables containing lyrics, the function @code{\lyricmode}
535 must be used. You do not have to enter durations though, if you add
536 @code{\addlyrics} or @code{\lyricsto}
537 when invoking your variable.
540 verseOne = \lyricmode @{ Joy to the world the Lord is come @}
543 \new Voice = "one" \relative c'' @{
546 c4 b8. a16 g4. f8 e4 d c2
548 \addlyrics @{ \verseOne @}
553 For different or more complex orderings, the best way is to setup the
554 hierarchy of staves and lyrics first, e.g.,
557 \new Voice = "soprano" @{ @emph{music} @}
558 \new Lyrics = "sopranoLyrics" @{ s1 @}
559 \new Lyrics = "tenorLyrics" @{ s1 @}
560 \new Voice = "tenor" @{ @emph{music} @}
564 and then combine the appropriate melodies and lyric lines
567 \context Lyrics = sopranoLyrics \lyricsto "soprano"
573 The final input would resemble
576 <<\new ChoirStaff << @emph{setup the music} >>
577 \lyricsto "soprano" @emph{etc}
578 \lyricsto "alto" @emph{etc}
585 @c TODO: document \new Staff << Voice \lyricsto >> bug
586 Internals Reference: @internalsref{LyricCombineMusic},
587 @internalsref{Lyrics}.
590 @node Flexibility in placement
591 @subsection Flexibility in placement
593 Often, different stanzas of one song are put to one melody in slightly
594 differing ways. Such variations can still be captured with
598 * Lyrics to multiple notes of a melisma::
600 * Switching the melody associated with a lyrics line::
601 * Lyrics independent of notes::
605 @node Lyrics to multiple notes of a melisma
606 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lyrics to multiple notes of a melisma
608 One possibility is that the text has a melisma in one stanza, but
609 multiple syllables in another one. One solution is to make the faster
610 voice ignore the melisma. This is done by setting
611 @code{ignoreMelismata} in the Lyrics context.
613 There is one tricky aspect: the setting for @code{ignoreMelismata}
614 must be set one syllable @emph{before} the non-melismatic syllable
615 in the text, as shown here,
617 @c TODO: breaks compile
618 @lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
621 \relative \new Voice = "lahlah" {
622 \set Staff.autoBeaming = ##f
628 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "lahlah" {
631 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "lahlah" {
632 \set ignoreMelismata = ##t % applies to "fas"
634 \unset ignoreMelismata
642 The @code{ignoreMelismata} applies to the syllable @q{fas}, so it
643 should be entered before @q{go}.
645 The reverse is also possible: making a lyric line slower than the
646 standard. This can be achieved by insert @code{\skip}s into the
647 lyrics. For every @code{\skip}, the text will be delayed another note.
650 @lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
660 @unnumberedsubsubsec Divisi lyrics
662 You can display alternate (or divisi) lyrics by naming voice
663 contexts and attaching lyrics to those specific contexts.
665 @lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
667 \new Voice = "melody" {
672 \new Voice = "splitpart" { \voiceTwo c4 }
677 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "melody" { we shall not o- ver- come }
678 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "splitpart" { will }
683 You can use this trick to display different lyrics for a repeated
686 @lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
688 \new Voice = "melody" \relative c' {
690 \new Voice = "verse" \repeat volta 2 {c4 d e f | g1 | }
692 \new Lyrics = "mainlyrics" \lyricsto melody \lyricmode {
695 \context Lyrics = "mainlyrics" \lyricsto verse \lyricmode {
697 \new Lyrics = "repeatlyrics" \lyricsto verse \lyricmode {
698 dodo rere mimi fafa solsol }
705 @node Switching the melody associated with a lyrics line
706 @unnumberedsubsubsec Switching the melody associated with a lyrics line
708 More complex variations in text underlay are possible. It is possible
709 to switch the melody for a line of lyrics during the text. This is
710 done by setting the @code{associatedVoice} property. In the example
712 @lilypond[ragged-right,quote]
714 \relative \new Voice = "lahlah" {
715 \set Staff.autoBeaming = ##f
718 \new Voice = "alternative" {
721 % show associations clearly.
722 \override NoteColumn #'force-hshift = #-3
733 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "lahlah" {
734 Ju -- ras -- sic Park
736 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "lahlah" {
737 % Tricky: need to set associatedVoice
738 % one syllable too soon!
739 \set associatedVoice = alternative % applies to "ran"
743 \set associatedVoice = lahlah % applies to "rus"
749 the text for the first stanza is set to a melody called @q{lahlah},
752 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "lahlah" @{
753 Ju -- ras -- sic Park
758 The second stanza initially is set to the @code{lahlah} context, but
759 for the syllable @q{ran}, it switches to a different melody.
760 This is achieved with
762 \set associatedVoice = alternative
766 Here, @code{alternative} is the name of the @code{Voice} context
767 containing the triplet.
769 Again, the command must be one syllable too early, before @q{Ty} in
773 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "lahlah" @{
774 \set associatedVoice = alternative % applies to "ran"
778 \set associatedVoice = lahlah % applies to "rus"
784 The underlay is switched back to the starting situation by assigning
785 @code{lahlah} to @code{associatedVoice}.
788 @node Lyrics independent of notes
789 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lyrics independent of notes
791 In some complex vocal music, it may be desirable to place
792 lyrics completely independently of notes. Music defined
793 inside @code{lyricrhythm} disappears into the
794 @code{Devnull} context, but the rhythms can still be used
797 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
800 \tag #'music { c''2 }
801 \tag #'lyricrhythm { c''4. c''8 }
805 lyr = \lyricmode { I like my cat! }
808 \new Staff \keepWithTag #'music \voice
809 \new Devnull="nowhere" \keepWithTag #'lyricrhythm \voice
810 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "nowhere" \lyr
811 \new Staff { c'8 c' c' c' c' c' c' c'
812 c' c' c' c' c' c' c' c' }
818 @subsection Spacing vocals
825 @unnumberedsubsubsec Spacing lyrics
827 @cindex Spacing lyrics
828 @cindex Lyrics, increasing space between
830 To increase the spacing between lyrics, set the minimum-distance property of
833 @lilypond[relative,verbatim,fragment,quote,ragged-right]
836 \override Lyrics.LyricSpace #'minimum-distance = #1.0
840 longtext longtext longtext longtext
841 longtext longtext longtext longtext
845 To make this change for all lyrics in the score, set the property in the
848 @lilypond[relative,verbatim,quote,ragged-right]
855 longtext longtext longtext longtext
856 longtext longtext longtext longtext
861 \override LyricSpace #'minimum-distance = #1.0
868 @node More about stanzas
869 @subsection More about stanzas
872 * Adding stanza numbers ::
873 * Adding dynamics marks::
874 * Adding singer names::
875 * Printing stanzas at the end ::
876 * Printing stanzas at the end in multiple columns ::
880 @node Adding stanza numbers
881 @unnumberedsubsubsec Adding stanza numbers
883 @cindex stanza number
885 Stanza numbers can be added by setting @code{stanza}, e.g.,
887 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,relative=2,fragment]
889 \time 3/4 g2 e4 a2 f4 g2.
895 Oh, ché -- ri, je t'aime
900 These numbers are put just before the start of the first syllable.
903 @node Adding dynamics marks
904 @unnumberedsubsubsec Adding dynamics marks
906 Stanzas differing in loudness may be indicated by putting a
907 dynamics mark before each stanza. In Lilypond, everthing coming in
908 front of a stanza goes into the @code{StanzaNumber} object; dynamics marks
909 are no different. For technical reasons, you have to set the stanza
910 outside @code{\lyricmode}:
912 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
914 \set stanza = \markup { \dynamic "ff" "1. " }
921 \new Voice = "tune" {
925 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "tune" \text
929 @node Adding singer names
930 @unnumberedsubsubsec Adding singer names
933 @cindex name of singer
935 Names of singers can also be added. They are printed at the start of
936 the line, just like instrument names. They are created by setting
937 @code{vocalName}. A short version may be entered as @code{shortVocalName}.
939 @lilypond[fragment,ragged-right,quote,verbatim,relative=2]
941 \time 3/4 g2 e4 a2 f4 g2.
943 \set vocalName = "Bert "
946 \set vocalName = "Ernie "
947 Oh, che -- ri, je t'aime
952 @node Printing stanzas at the end
953 @unnumberedsubsubsec Printing stanzas at the end
955 Sometimes it is appropriate to have one stanza set
956 to the music, and the rest added in verse form at
957 the end of the piece. This can be accomplished by adding
958 the extra verses into a @code{\markup} section outside
959 of the main score block. Notice that there are two
960 different ways to force linebreaks when using
963 @lilypond[ragged-right,verbatim,quote]
964 melody = \relative c' {
970 \set stanza = "1." Ma- ry had a lit- tle lamb,
971 its fleece was white as snow.
975 \new Voice = "one" { \melody }
976 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "one" \text
982 \line{ All the children laughed and played }
983 \line{ To see a lamb at school. }
990 Mary took it home again,
992 It was against the rule."
997 @node Printing stanzas at the end in multiple columns
998 @unnumberedsubsubsec Printing stanzas at the end in multiple columns
1000 When a piece of music has many verses, they are often printed in
1001 multiple columns across the page. An outdented verse number often
1002 introduces each verse. The following example shows how to produce such
1005 @lilypond[ragged-right,quote,verbatim]
1006 melody = \relative c' {
1011 \set stanza = "1." This is verse one.
1016 \new Voice = "one" { \melody }
1017 \new Lyrics \lyricsto "one" \text
1024 \hspace #0.1 % moves the column off the left margin; can be removed if
1025 % space on the page is tight
1029 "This is verse two."
1033 \hspace #0.1 % adds vertical spacing between verses
1036 "This is verse three."
1041 \hspace #0.1 % adds horizontal spacing between columns; if they are
1042 % still too close, add more " " pairs until the result
1047 "This is verse four."
1051 \hspace #0.1 % adds vertical spacing between verses
1054 "This is verse five."
1059 \hspace #0.1 % gives some extra space on the right margin; can
1060 % be removed if page space is tight
1068 Internals Reference: @internalsref{LyricText}, @internalsref{StanzaNumber},
1069 @internalsref{VocalName}.
1071 @c TODO: stick elsewhere
1073 @n ode Other vocal issues
1074 @s ubsection Other vocal issues
1076 yeah, I'm giving up somewhat by stuffing a bunch of things in
1077 here. But at least they're in the manual now; it's easier to
1078 move them around in the manual once they're already here.
1080 Besides, if users complain about everything stuffed in here, I
1081 can ask them for specific instructions about where to move these
1082 examples, and that might get them more involved in the docs. -gp
1085 @q{Parlato} is spoken without pitch but still with rhythm; it is
1086 notated by cross noteheads. This is demonstrated in
1087 @ref{Special noteheads}.