@c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*- @node Changing defaults @chapter Changing defaults The purpose of LilyPond's design is to provide the finest output quality as a default. Nevertheless, it may happen that you need to change this default layout. The layout is controlled through a large number of proverbial ``knobs and switches.'' This chapter does not list each and every knob. Rather, it outlines what groups of controls are available and explains how to lookup which knob to use for a particular effect. @cindex Program reference The controls available for tuning are described in a separate document, the @internalsref{Program reference} manual. That manual lists all different variables, functions and options available in LilyPond. It is written as a HTML document, which is available @uref{http://@/lilypond@/.org/@/doc/@/Documentation/@/user/@/out@/-www/@/lilypond@/-internals/,on@/-line}, but is also included with the LilyPond documentation package. There are three areas where the default settings may be changed: @itemize @bullet @item Output: changing the appearance of individual objects. For example, changing stem directions or the location of subscripts. @item Context: changing aspects of the translation from music events to notation. For example, giving each staff a separate time signature. @item Global layout: changing the appearance of the spacing, line breaks, and page dimensions. @end itemize Then there are separate systems for typesetting text (like @emph{ritardando}) and selecting different fonts. This chapter also discusses these. Internally, LilyPond uses Scheme (a LISP dialect) to provide infrastructure. Overriding layout decisions in effect accesses the program internals, which requires Scheme input. Scheme elements are introduced in a @code{.ly} file with the hash mark @code{#}.@footnote{@ref{Scheme tutorial} contains a short tutorial on entering numbers, lists, strings, and symbols in Scheme.} @menu * Interpretation contexts:: * The \override command:: * Fonts:: * Text markup:: * Global layout:: * File structure:: @end menu @node Interpretation contexts @section Interpretation contexts When music is printed, a lot of notational elements must be added to the input, which is often bare bones. For example, compare the input and output of the following example: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2,fragment] cis4 cis2. g4 @end lilypond The input is rather sparse, but in the output, bar lines, accidentals, clef, and time signature are added. LilyPond @emph{interprets} the input. During this step, the musical information is inspected in time order, similar to reading a score from left to right. While reading, the input, the program remembers where measure boundaries are, and what pitches need explicit accidentals. This information can be presented on several levels. For example, the effect of an accidental is limited to a single staff, while a bar line must be synchronized across the entire score. Within LilyPond, these rules and bits of information are grouped in so-called Contexts. Examples of context are @context{Voice}, @context{Staff}, and @context{Score}. They are hierarchical, for example, a @context{Staff} can contain many @context{Voice}s, and a @context{Score} can contain many @context{Staff} contexts. Each context has the responsibility for enforcing some notation rules, creating some notation objects and maintaining the associated properties. So, the synchronization of bar lines is handled at @context{Score} context. The @context{Voice} may introduce an accidental and then the @context{Staff} context maintains the rule to show or suppress the accidental for the remainder of the measure. For simple scores, contexts are created implicitly, and you need not be aware of them. For larger pieces, such as piano music, they must be created explicitly to make sure that you get as many staves as you need, and that they are in the correct order. For typesetting pieces with specialized notation, it can be useful to modify existing or to define new contexts. A complete description of all available contexts is in the program reference, see @ifhtml @internalsref{Contexts}. @end ifhtml @ifnothtml Translation @arrow{} Context. @end ifnothtml @c [TODO: describe propagation] @menu * Creating contexts:: * Changing context properties on the fly:: * Modifying context plug-ins:: * Layout tunings within contexts:: * Changing context default settings:: * Defining new contexts:: @end menu @node Creating contexts @subsection Creating contexts For scores with only one voice and one staff, correct contexts are created automatically. For more complex scores, it is necessary to create them by hand. There are three commands that do this. The easiest command is @code{\new}, and it also the quickest to type. It is prepended to a music expression, for example @cindex @code{\new} @cindex new contexts @cindex Context, creating @example \new @var{type} @var{music expression} @end example @noindent where @var{type} is a context name (like @code{Staff} or @code{Voice}). This command creates a new context, and starts interpreting the @var{music expression} with that. A practical application of @code{\new} is a score with many staves. Each part that should be on its own staff, is preceded with @code{\new Staff}. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2,raggedright,fragment] << \new Staff { c4 c } \new Staff { d4 d } >> @end lilypond @cindex @code{\context} Like @code{\new}, the @code{\context} command also directs a music expression to a context object, but gives the context an extra name. The syntax is @example \context @var{type} = @var{id} @var{music} @end example This form will search for an existing context of type @var{type} called @var{id}. If that context does not exist yet, it is created. This is useful if the context is referred to later on. For example, when setting lyrics the melody is in a named context @example \CONtext Voice = "@b{tenor}" @var{music} @end example @noindent so the texts can be properly aligned to its notes, @example \new Lyrics \lyricsto "@b{tenor}" @var{lyrics} @end example @noindent Another possibility is funneling two different music expressions into one context. In the following example, articulations and notes are entered separately, @example music = @{ c4 c4 @} arts = @{ s4-. s4-> @} @end example They are combined by sending both to the same @context{Voice} context, @example << \new Staff \context Voice = "A" \music \context Voice = "A" \arts >> @end example @lilypond[quote,raggedright] music = { c4 c4 } arts = { s4-. s4-> } \relative c'' << \new Staff \context Voice = "A" \music \context Voice = "A" \arts >> @end lilypond With this mechanism, it is possible to define an Urtext (original edition), with the option to put several distinct articulations on the same notes. @cindex @code{\context} @cindex creating contexts The third command for creating contexts is @example \context @var{type} @var{music} @end example @noindent This is similar to @code{\context} with @code{= @var{id}}, but matches any context of type @var{type}, regardless of its given name. This variant is used with music expressions that can be interpreted at several levels. For example, the @code{\applyoutput} command (see @ref{Running a function on all layout objects}). Without an explicit @code{\context}, it is usually applied to @context{Voice} @example \applyoutput #@var{function} % apply to Voice @end example To have it interpreted at the @context{Score} or @context{Staff} level use these forms @example \context Score \applyoutput #@var{function} \context Staff \applyoutput #@var{function} @end example @node Changing context properties on the fly @subsection Changing context properties on the fly @cindex properties @cindex @code{\set} @cindex changing properties Each context can have different @emph{properties}, variables contained in that context. They can be changed during the interpretation step. This is achieved by inserting the @code{\set} command in the music, @example \set @var{context}.@var{prop} = #@var{value} @end example For example, @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2,fragment] R1*2 \set Score.skipBars = ##t R1*2 @end lilypond This command skips measures that have no notes. The result is that multi-rests are condensed. The value assigned is a Scheme object. In this case, it is @code{#t}, the boolean True value. If the @var{context} argument is left out, then the current bottom-most context (typically @context{ChordNames}, @context{Voice}, or @context{Lyrics}) is used. In this example, @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2,fragment] c8 c c c \set autoBeaming = ##f c8 c c c @end lilypond @noindent the @var{context} argument to @code{\set} is left out, so automatic beaming is switched off in the current @internalsref{Voice}. Note that the bottom-most context does not always contain the property that you wish to change -- for example, attempting to set the @code{skipBars} property (of the bottom-most context, in this case @code{Voice}) will have no effect. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2,fragment] R1*2 \set skipBars = ##t R1*2 @end lilypond Contexts are hierarchical, so if a bigger context was specified, for example @context{Staff}, then the change would also apply to all @context{Voice}s in the current stave. The change is applied `on-the-fly', during the music, so that the setting only affects the second group of eighth notes. @cindex @code{\unset} There is also an @code{\unset} command, @example \unset @var{context}.@var{prop} @end example @noindent which removes the definition of @var{prop}. This command removes the definition only if it is set in @var{context}, so @example \set Staff.autoBeaming = ##f @end example @noindent introduces a property setting at @code{Staff} level. The setting also applies to the current @code{Voice}. However, @example \unset Voice.autoBeaming @end example @noindent does not have any effect. To cancel this setting, the @code{\unset} must be specified on the same level as the original @code{\set}. In other words, undoing the effect of @code{Staff.autoBeaming = ##f} requires @example \unset Staff.autoBeaming @end example Like @code{\set}, the @var{context} argument does not have to be specified for a bottom context, so the two statements @example \set Voice.autoBeaming = ##t \set autoBeaming = ##t @end example @noindent are equivalent. @cindex \once Settings that should only apply to a single time-step can be entered with @code{\once}, for example in @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2,fragment] c4 \once \set fontSize = #4.7 c4 c4 @end lilypond the property @code{fontSize} is unset automatically after the second note. A full description of all available context properties is in the program reference, see @ifhtml @internalsref{Tunable context properties}. @end ifhtml @ifnothtml Translation @arrow{} Tunable context properties. @end ifnothtml @node Modifying context plug-ins @subsection Modifying context plug-ins Notation contexts (like Score and Staff) not only store properties, they also contain plug-ins, called ``engravers'' that create notation elements. For example, the Voice context contains a @code{Note_head_engraver} and the Staff context contains a @code{Key_signature_engraver}. For a full a description of each plug-in, see @ifhtml @internalsref{Engravers}. @end ifhtml @ifnothtml Program reference @arrow Translation @arrow{} Engravers. @end ifnothtml Every context described in @ifhtml @internalsref{Contexts} @end ifhtml @ifnothtml Program reference @arrow Translation @arrow{} Context. @end ifnothtml lists the engravers used for that context. It can be useful to shuffle around these plug-ins. This is done by starting a new context, with @code{\new} or @code{\context}, and modifying it like this, @example \new @var{context} \with @{ \consists @dots{} \consists @dots{} \remove @dots{} \remove @dots{} @emph{etc.} @} @emph{..music..} @end example @noindent where the @dots{} should be the name of an engraver. Here is a simple example which removes @code{Time_signature_engraver} and @code{Clef_engraver} from a @code{Staff} context, @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim,fragment] << \new Staff { f2 g } \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" \remove "Clef_engraver" } { f2 g2 } >> @end lilypond In the second staff there are no time signature or clef symbols. This is a rather crude method of making objects disappear since it will affect the entire staff. The spacing is adversely influenced too. A more sophisticated method of blanking objects is shown in @ref{Common tweaks}. The next example shows a practical application. Bar lines and time signatures are normally synchronized across the score. This is done by the @code{Timing_engraver}. This plug-in keeps an administration of time signature, location within the measure, etc. By moving the @code{Timing_engraver} engraver from @code{Score} to @code{Staff} context, we can have a score where each staff has its own time signature. @cindex polymetric scores @cindex Time signatures, multiple @lilypond[quote,relative=1,raggedright,verbatim,fragment] \new Score \with { \remove "Timing_engraver" } << \new Staff \with { \consists "Timing_engraver" } { \time 3/4 c4 c c c c c } \new Staff \with { \consists "Timing_engraver" } { \time 2/4 c4 c c c c c } >> @end lilypond @node Layout tunings within contexts @subsection Layout tunings within contexts Each context is responsible for creating certain types of graphical objects. The settings used for printing these objects are also stored by context. By changing these settings, the appearance of objects can be altered. The syntax for this is @example \override @var{context}.@var{name} #'@var{property} = #@var{value} @end example Here @var{name} is the name of a graphical object, like @code{Stem} or @code{NoteHead}, and @var{property} is an internal variable of the formatting system (`grob property' or `layout property'). The latter is a symbol, so it must be quoted. The subsection @ref{Constructing a tweak} explains what to fill in for @var{name}, @var{property}, and @var{value}. Here we only discuss the functionality of this command. The command @verbatim \override Staff.Stem #'thickness = #4.0 @end verbatim @noindent makes stems thicker (the default is 1.3, with staff line thickness as a unit). Since the command specifies @context{Staff} as context, it only applies to the current staff. Other staves will keep their normal appearance. Here we see the command in action: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2,fragment] c4 \override Staff.Stem #'thickness = #4.0 c4 c4 c4 @end lilypond The @code{\override} command changes the definition of the @code{Stem} within the current @context{Staff}. After the command is interpreted all stems are thickened. Analogous to @code{\set}, the @var{context} argument may be left out, causing it to default to @context{Voice}, and adding @code{\once} applies the change during one timestep only @lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim,relative=2] c4 \once \override Stem #'thickness = #4.0 c4 c4 @end lilypond The @code{\override} must be done before the object is started. Therefore, when altering @emph{Spanner} objects, like slurs or beams, the @code{\override} command must be executed at the moment when the object is created. In this example, @lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim,relative=2] \override Slur #'thickness = #3.0 c8[( c \override Beam #'thickness = #0.6 c8 c]) @end lilypond @noindent the slur is fatter but the beam is not. This is because the command for @code{Beam} comes after the Beam is started. Therefore it has no effect. Analogous to @code{\unset}, the @code{\revert} command for a context undoes an @code{\override} command; like with @code{\unset}, it only affects settings that were made in the same context. In other words, the @code{\revert} in the next example does not do anything. @example \override Voice.Stem #'thickness = #4.0 \revert Staff.Stem #'thickness @end example @seealso Internals: @internalsref{OverrideProperty}, @internalsref{RevertProperty}, @internalsref{PropertySet}, @internalsref{All-backend-properties}, and @internalsref{All layout objects}. @refbugs The back-end is not very strict in type-checking object properties. Cyclic references in Scheme values for properties can cause hangs or crashes, or both. @node Changing context default settings @subsection Changing context default settings The adjustments of the previous subsections (@ref{Changing context properties on the fly}, @ref{Modifying context plug-ins}, and @ref{Layout tunings within contexts}) can also be entered separately from the music, in the @code{\layout} block, @example \layout @{ @dots{} \context @{ \Staff \set fontSize = #-2 \override Stem #'thickness = #4.0 \remove "Time_signature_engraver" @} @} @end example Here @example \Staff @end example @noindent takes the existing definition for context @context{Staff} from the identifier @code{\Staff}. The statements @example \set fontSize = #-2 \override Stem #'thickness = #4.0 \remove "Time_signature_engraver" @end example @noindent affect all staves in the score. Other contexts can be modified analogously. The @code{\set} keyword is optional within the @code{\layout} block, so @example \context @{ @dots{} fontSize = #-2 @} @end example @noindent will also work. @refbugs It is not possible to collect context changes in a variable, and apply them to one @code{\context} definition by referring to that variable. The @code{\RemoveEmptyStaffContext} will override your current @code{\Staff} variable. If you wish to change the defaults for a staff that uses @code{\RemoveEmptyStaffContext}, you must do so after calling @code{\RemoveemptyStaffContext}, ie @example \layout @{ \context @{ \RemoveEmptyStaffContext \override Stem #'thickness = #4.0 @} @} @end example @node Defining new contexts @subsection Defining new contexts Specific contexts, like @context{Staff} and @code{Voice}, are made of simple building blocks, and it is possible to compose engraver plug-ins in different combinations, thereby creating new types of contexts. The next example shows how to build a different type of @context{Voice} context from scratch. It will be similar to @code{Voice}, but prints centered slash noteheads only. It can be used to indicate improvisation in Jazz pieces, @lilypond[quote,raggedright] \layout { \context { \name ImproVoice \type "Engraver_group_engraver" \consists "Note_heads_engraver" \consists "Text_engraver" \consists Pitch_squash_engraver squashedPosition = #0 \override NoteHead #'style = #'slash \override Stem #'transparent = ##t \alias Voice } \context { \Staff \accepts "ImproVoice" }} \relative c'' { a4 d8 bes8 \new ImproVoice { c4^"ad lib" c c4 c^"undress" c_"while playing :)" c } a1 } @end lilypond These settings are again done within a @code{\context} block inside a @code{\layout} block, @example \layout @{ \context @{ @dots{} @} @} @end example In the following discussion, the example input shown should go on the @dots{} in the previous fragment. First, the context gets a name. Instead of @context{Voice} it will be called @context{ImproVoice}, @example \name ImproVoice @end example Since it is similar to the @context{Voice}, we want commands that work on (existing) @context{Voice}s to remain working. This is achieved by giving the new context an alias @context{Voice}, @example \alias Voice @end example The context will print notes, and instructive texts @example \consists Note_heads_engraver \consists Text_engraver @end example but only on the center line, @example \consists Pitch_squash_engraver squashedPosition = #0 @end example The @internalsref{Pitch_squash_engraver} modifies note heads (created by @internalsref{Note_heads_engraver}) and sets their vertical position to the value of @code{squashedPosition}, in this case@tie{}@code{0}, the center line. The notes look like a slash, without a stem, @example \override NoteHead #'style = #'slash \override Stem #'transparent = ##t @end example All these plug-ins have to cooperate, and this is achieved with a special plug-in, which must be marked with the keyword @code{\type}. This should always be @internalsref{Engraver_group_engraver}, @example \type "Engraver_group_engraver" @end example Put together, we get @example \context @{ \name ImproVoice \type "Engraver_group_engraver" \consists "Note_heads_engraver" \consists "Text_engraver" \consists Pitch_squash_engraver squashedPosition = #0 \override NoteHead #'style = #'slash \override Stem #'transparent = ##t \alias Voice @} @end example Contexts form hierarchies. We want to hang the @context{ImproVoice} under @context{Staff}, just like normal @code{Voice}s. Therefore, we modify the @code{Staff} definition with the @code{\accepts} command,@footnote{The opposite of @code{\accepts} is @code{\denies}, which is sometimes needed when reusing existing context definitions.} @example \context @{ \Staff \accepts ImproVoice @} @end example Putting both into a @code{\layout} block, like @example \layout @{ \context @{ \name ImproVoice @dots{} @} \context @{ \Staff \accepts "ImproVoice" @} @} @end example Then the output at the start of this subsection can be entered as @example \relative c'' @{ a4 d8 bes8 \new ImproVoice @{ c4^"ad lib" c c4 c^"undress" c c_"while playing :)" @} a1 @} @end example @node The \override command @section The \override command In the previous section, we have already touched on a command that changes layout details: the @code{\override} command. In this section, we will look in more detail at how to use the command in practice. First, we will give a few versatile commands that are sufficient for many situations. The next section will discuss the general use of @code{\override}. @menu * Common tweaks:: * Constructing a tweak:: * Navigating the program reference:: * Layout interfaces:: * Determining the grob property:: * Difficult tweaks:: @end menu @node Common tweaks @subsection Common tweaks @c Should we point at ly/property-init.ly ? -gp Some overrides are so common that predefined commands are provided as short-cuts, for example, @code{\slurUp} and @code{\stemDown}. These commands are described in @ifhtml the @end ifhtml @ref{Notation manual}, under the sections for slurs and stems respectively. The exact tuning possibilities for each type of layout object are documented in the program reference of the respective object. However, many layout objects share properties, which can be used to apply generic tweaks. We mention a few of these: @itemize @bullet @item The @code{extra-offset} property, which @cindex @code{extra-offset} has a pair of numbers as value, moves objects around in the printout. The first number controls left-right movement; a positive number will move the object to the right. The second number controls up-down movement; a positive number will move it higher. The units of these offsets are staff-spaces. The @code{extra-offset} property is a low-level feature: the formatting engine is completely oblivious to these offsets. In the following example, the second fingering is moved a little to the left, and 1.8 staff space downwards: @cindex setting object properties @lilypond[quote,fragment,relative=1,verbatim] \stemUp f-5 \once \override Fingering #'extra-offset = #'(-0.3 . -1.8) f-5 @end lilypond @item Setting the @code{transparent} property will cause an object to be printed in `invisible ink': the object is not printed, but all its other behavior is retained. The object still takes up space, it takes part in collisions, and slurs, ties, and beams can be attached to it. @cindex transparent objects @cindex removing objects @cindex hiding objects @cindex invisible objects The following example demonstrates how to connect different voices using ties. Normally, ties only connect two notes in the same voice. By introducing a tie in a different voice, @lilypond[quote,fragment,relative=2] << { b8~ b8\noBeam } \\ { b[ g8] } >> @end lilypond @noindent and blanking the first up-stem in that voice, the tie appears to cross voices: @lilypond[quote,fragment,relative=2,verbatim] << { \once \override Stem #'transparent = ##t b8~ b8\noBeam } \\ { b[ g8] } >> @end lilypond @item The @code{padding} property for objects with @cindex @code{padding} @code{side-position-interface} can be set to increase the distance between symbols that are printed above or below notes. We only give an example; a more elaborate explanation is in @ref{Constructing a tweak}: @lilypond[quote,fragment,relative=1,verbatim] c2\fermata \override Script #'padding = #3 b2\fermata @end lilypond @end itemize More specific overrides are also possible. The next section discusses in depth how to figure out these statements for yourself. @node Constructing a tweak @subsection Constructing a tweak The general procedure of changing output, that is, entering a command like @example \override Voice.Stem #'thickness = #3.0 @end example @noindent means that we have to determine these bits of information: @itemize @item the context: here @context{Voice}. @item the layout object: here @code{Stem}. @item the layout property: here @code{thickness} @item a sensible value: here @code{3.0} @end itemize @cindex internal documentation @cindex finding graphical objects @cindex graphical object descriptions @cindex tweaking @cindex @code{\override} @cindex internal documentation We demonstrate how to glean this information from the notation manual and the program reference. @node Navigating the program reference @subsection Navigating the program reference Suppose we want to move the fingering indication in the fragment below: @lilypond[quote,fragment,relative=2,verbatim] c-2 \stemUp f @end lilypond If you visit the documentation on fingering instructions (in @ref{Fingering instructions}), you will notice that there is written: @quotation @seealso Program reference: @internalsref{FingerEvent} and @internalsref{Fingering}. @end quotation This fragment points to two parts of the program reference: a page on @code{FingerEvent} and one on @code{Fingering}. The page on @code{FingerEvent} describes the properties of the music expression for the input @code{-2}. The page contains many links forward. For example, it says @quotation Accepted by: @internalsref{Fingering_engraver}, @end quotation @noindent That link brings us to the documentation for the Engraver, the plug-in, which says @quotation This engraver creates the following layout objects: @internalsref{Fingering}. @end quotation In other words, once the @code{FingerEvent}s are interpreted, the @code{Fingering_engraver} plug-in will process them. The @code{Fingering_engraver} is also listed to create @internalsref{Fingering} objects, Lo and behold, that is also the second bit of information listed under @b{See also} in the Notation manual. By clicking around in the program reference, we can follow the flow of information within the program, either forward (like we did here), or backwards, following links like this: @itemize @bullet @item @internalsref{Fingering}: @internalsref{Fingering} objects are created by: @b{@internalsref{Fingering_engraver}} @item @internalsref{Fingering_engraver}: Music types accepted: @b{@internalsref{fingering-event}} @item @internalsref{fingering-event}: Music event type @code{fingering-event} is in Music expressions named @b{@internalsref{FingerEvent}} @end itemize This path goes against the flow of information in the program: it starts from the output, and ends at the input event. The program reference can also be browsed like a normal document. It contains a chapter on @ifhtml @internalsref{Music definitions}, @end ifhtml @ifnothtml @code{Music definitions} @end ifnothtml on @internalsref{Translation}, and the @internalsref{Backend}. Every chapter lists all the definitions used, and all properties that may be tuned. @node Layout interfaces @subsection Layout interfaces @cindex interface, layout @cindex layout interface The HTML page that we found in the previous section, describes the layout object called @internalsref{Fingering}. Such an object is a symbol within the score. It has properties that store numbers (like thicknesses and directions), but also pointers to related objects. A layout object is also called @emph{grob}, @cindex grob which is short for Graphical Object. The page for @code{Fingering} lists the definitions for the @code{Fingering} object. For example, the page says @quotation @code{padding} (dimension, in staff space): @code{0.6} @end quotation @noindent which means that the number will be kept at a distance of at least 0.6 of the note head. Each layout object may have several functions as a notational or typographical element. For example, the Fingering object has the following aspects @itemize @bullet @item Its size is independent of the horizontal spacing, unlike slurs or beams. @item It is a piece of text. Granted, it is usually a very short text. @item That piece of text is typeset with a font, unlike slurs or beams. @item Horizontally, the center of the symbol should be aligned to the center of the notehead. @item Vertically, the symbol is placed next to the note and the staff. @item The vertical position is also coordinated with other super- and subscript symbols. @end itemize Each of these aspects is captured in so-called @emph{interface}s, which are listed on the @internalsref{Fingering} page at the bottom @quotation This object supports the following interfaces: @internalsref{item-interface}, @internalsref{self-alignment-interface}, @internalsref{side-position-interface}, @internalsref{text-interface}, @internalsref{text-script-interface}, @internalsref{font-interface}, @internalsref{finger-interface}, and @internalsref{grob-interface}. @end quotation Clicking any of the links will take you to the page of the respective object interface. Each interface has a number of properties. Some of them are not user-serviceable (``Internal properties''), but others are. We have been talking of @emph{the} @code{Fingering} object, but actually it does not amount to much. The initialization file @file{scm/@/define@/-grobs@/.scm} shows the soul of the `object', @example (Fingering . ((print-function . ,Text_interface::print) (padding . 0.6) (staff-padding . 0.6) (self-alignment-X . 0) (self-alignment-Y . 0) (script-priority . 100) (font-size . -5) (meta . ((interfaces . (finger-interface font-interface text-script-interface text-interface side-position-interface self-alignment-interface item-interface)))))) @end example @noindent As you can see, the @code{Fingering} object is nothing more than a bunch of variable settings, and the webpage in the Program Reference is directly generated from this definition. @node Determining the grob property @subsection Determining the grob property Recall that we wanted to change the position of the @b{2} in @lilypond[quote,fragment,relative=2,verbatim] c-2 \stemUp f @end lilypond Since the @b{2} is vertically positioned next to its note, we have to meddle with the interface associated with this positioning. This is done using @code{side-position-interface}. The page for this interface says @quotation @code{side-position-interface} Position a victim object (this one) next to other objects (the support). The property @code{direction} signifies where to put the victim object relative to the support (left or right, up or down?) @end quotation @cindex padding @noindent below this description, the variable @code{padding} is described as @quotation @table @code @item padding (dimension, in staff space) Add this much extra space between objects that are next to each other. @end table @end quotation By increasing the value of @code{padding}, we can move away the fingering. The following command inserts 3 staff spaces of white between the note and the fingering: @example \once \override Voice.Fingering #'padding = #3 @end example Inserting this command before the Fingering object is created, i.e., before @code{c2}, yields the following result: @lilypond[quote,relative=2,fragment,verbatim] \once \override Voice.Fingering #'padding = #3 c-2 \stemUp f @end lilypond In this case, the context for this tweak is @context{Voice}. This fact can also be deduced from the program reference, for the page for the @internalsref{Fingering_engraver} plug-in says @quotation Fingering_engraver is part of contexts: @dots{} @b{@internalsref{Voice}} @end quotation @node Difficult tweaks @subsection Difficult tweaks There are two classes of difficult adjustments. First, when there are several of the same objects at one point, and you want to adjust only one. For example, if you want to change only one note head in a chord. In this case, the @code{\applyoutput} function must be used. The next example defines a Scheme function @code{set-position-font-size} that sets the @code{font-size} property, but only on objects that have @internalsref{note-head-interface} and are at the right Y-position. @lilypond[quote,verbatim] #(define ((set-position-font-size pos size) grob origin current) (let* ((interfaces (ly:grob-property grob 'interfaces)) (position (ly:grob-property grob 'staff-position))) (if (and ; is this a note head? (memq 'note-head-interface interfaces) ; is the Y coordinate right? (= pos position)) ; then do it. (set! (ly:grob-property grob 'font-size) size)))) \relative { c \applyoutput #(set-position-font-size -2 4) } @end lilypond @noindent A similar technique can be used for accidentals. In that case, the function should check for @code{accidental-interface}. Another difficult adjustment is the appearance of spanner objects, such as slur and tie. Initially, only one of these objects is created, and they can be adjusted with the normal mechanism. However, in some cases the spanners cross line breaks. If this happens, these objects are cloned. A separate object is created for every system that it is in. These are clones of the original object and inherit all properties, including @code{\override}s. In other words, an @code{\override} always affects all pieces of a broken spanner. To change only one part of a spanner at a line break, it is necessary to hook into the formatting process. The @code{after-line-breaking-callback} property contains the Scheme procedure that is called after the line breaks have been determined, and layout objects have been split over different systems. In the following example, we define a procedure @code{my-callback}. This procedure @itemize @bullet @item determines if we have been split across line breaks @item if yes, retrieves all the split objects @item checks if we are the last of the split objects @item if yes, it sets @code{extra-offset}. @end itemize This procedure is installed into @internalsref{Tie}, so the last part of the broken tie is translated up. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,raggedright] #(define (my-callback grob) (let* ( ; have we been split? (orig (ly:grob-original grob)) ; if yes, get the split pieces (our siblings) (siblings (if (ly:grob? orig) (ly:spanner-broken-into orig) '() ))) (if (and (>= (length siblings) 2) (eq? (car (last-pair siblings)) grob)) (ly:grob-set-property! grob 'extra-offset '(-2 . 5))))) \relative c'' { \override Tie #'after-line-breaking-callback = #my-callback c1 ~ \break c2 ~ c } @end lilypond @noindent When applying this trick, the new @code{after-line-breaking-callback} should also call the old @code{after-line-breaking-callback}, if there is one. For example, if using this with @code{Slur}, @code{Slur::after_line_breaking} should also be called. @node Fonts @section Fonts This section details the ways that the font can be changed. @menu * Selecting font sizes:: * Font selection:: @end menu @node Selecting font sizes @subsection Selecting font sizes The easiest method of setting the font size of any context, is by setting the @code{fontSize} property. @lilypond[quote,fragment,relative=1,verbatim] c8 \set fontSize = #-4 c f \set fontSize = #3 g @end lilypond @noindent It does not change the size of variable symbols, such as beams or slurs. Internally, the @code{fontSize} context property will cause the @code{font-size} property to be set in all layout objects. The value of @code{font-size} is a number indicating the size relative to the standard size for the current staff height. Each step up is an increase of approximately 12% of the font size. Six steps is exactly a factor two. The Scheme function @code{magstep} converts a @code{font-size} number to a scaling factor. @lilypond[quote,fragment,relative=1,verbatim] c8 \override NoteHead #'font-size = #-4 c f \override NoteHead #'font-size = #3 g @end lilypond LilyPond has fonts in different design sizes. The music fonts for smaller sizes are chubbier, while the text fonts are relatively wider. Font size changes are achieved by scaling the design size that is closest to the desired size. The standard font size (for @code{font-size} equals 0), depends on the standard staff height. For a 20pt staff, a 10pt font is selected. The @code{font-size} mechanism does not work for fonts selected through @code{font-name}. These may be scaled with @code{font-magnification}. The @code{font-size} property can only be set on layout objects that use fonts; these are the ones supporting the @internalsref{font-interface} layout interface. @refcommands The following commands set @code{fontSize} for the current voice: @cindex @code{\tiny} @code{\tiny}, @cindex @code{\small} @code{\small}, @cindex @code{\normalsize} @code{\normalsize}. @cindex magnification @cindex cue notes @node Font selection @subsection Font selection @cindex font selection @cindex font magnification @cindex @code{font-interface} By setting the object properties described below, you can select a font from the preconfigured font families. LilyPond has default support for the feta music fonts and @TeX{}'s Computer Modern text fonts. @itemize @bullet @item @code{font-encoding} is a symbol that sets layout of the glyphs. This should only be set to select different types of non-text fonts, eg. @code{fetaBraces} for piano staff braces, @code{fetaMusic} the standard music font, including ancient glyphs, @code{fetaDynamic} for dynamic signs and @code{fetaNumber} for the number font. @item @code{font-family} is a symbol indicating the general class of the typeface. Supported are @code{roman} (Computer Modern), @code{sans}, and @code{typewriter}. @item @code{font-shape} is a symbol indicating the shape of the font. There are typically several font shapes available for each font family. Choices are @code{italic}, @code{caps}, and @code{upright}. @item @code{font-series} is a symbol indicating the series of the font. There are typically several font series for each font family and shape. Choices are @code{medium} and @code{bold}. @end itemize Fonts selected in the way sketched above come from a predefined style sheet. The font used for printing a object can be selected by setting @code{font-name}, e.g., @example \override Staff.TimeSignature #'font-name = #"cmr17" @end example @noindent Any font can be used, as long as it is available to @TeX{}. Possible fonts include foreign fonts or fonts that do not belong to the Computer Modern font family. The size of fonts selected in this way can be changed with the @code{font-magnification} property. For example, @code{2.0} blows up all letters by a factor 2 in both directions. @cindex font size @cindex font magnification @seealso Init files: @file{ly/@/declarations@/-init@/.ly} contains hints how new fonts may be added to LilyPond. @node Text markup @section Text markup @cindex text markup @cindex markup text @cindex typeset text The internal mechanism to typeset texts is accessed with the keyword @code{\markup}. Within markup mode, you can enter texts similar to lyrics. They are simply entered, while commands use the backslash @code{\}. @cindex markup @lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment,relative=1] c1^\markup { hello } c1_\markup { hi there } c1^\markup { hi \bold there, is \italic anyone home? } @end lilypond @cindex font switching The markup in the example demonstrates font switching commands. The command @code{\bold} and @code{\italic} apply to the first following word only; enclose a set of texts with braces to apply a command to more words: @example \markup @{ \bold @{ hi there @} @} @end example @noindent For clarity, you can also do this for single arguments, e.g., @example \markup @{ is \italic @{ anyone @} home @} @end example @cindex font size, texts In markup mode you can compose expressions, similar to mathematical expressions, XML documents, and music expressions. You can stack expressions grouped vertically with the command @code{\column}. Similarly, @code{\center-align} aligns texts by their center lines: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment,relative=1] c1^\markup { \column { a bbbb \line { c d } } } c1^\markup { \center-align { a bbbb c } } c1^\markup { \line { a b c } } @end lilypond Markups can be stored in variables and these variables may be attached to notes, like @example allegro = \markup @{ \bold \large @{ Allegro @} @} @{ a^\allegro b c d @} @end example Some objects have alignment procedures of their own, which cancel out any effects of alignments applied to their markup arguments as a whole. For example, the @internalsref{RehearsalMark} is horizontally centered, so using @code{\mark \markup @{ \left-align .. @}} has no effect. Similarly, for moving whole texts over notes with @code{\raise}, use the following trick: @lilypond[quote,verbatim] { c'^\markup { \raise #0.5 not-raised } c'^\markup { "" \raise #0.5 raised } } @end lilypond On the second note, the text @code{raised} is moved relative to the empty string @code{""} which is not visible. Alternatively, complete objects can be moved with layout properties such as @code{padding} and @code{extra-offset}. @seealso Init files: @file{scm/@/new@/-markup@/.scm}. @refbugs Kerning or generation of ligatures is only done when the @TeX{} backend is used. In this case, LilyPond does not account for them so texts will be spaced slightly too wide. Syntax errors for markup mode are confusing. @menu * Text encoding:: * Nested scores:: * Overview of text markup commands:: * New dynamic marks:: @end menu @node Text encoding @subsection Text encoding LilyPond uses the Pango library to format multi-lingual texts, and does not perform any input-encoding conversions. This means that any text, be it title, lyric text, or musical instruction containing non-ASCII characters, must be utf-8. Easiest to enter such texts is by using a Unicode-aware editor, and save using utf-8 encoding. Most popular modern editors have utf-8 support, for example, vim, Emacs, jEdit, and GEdit do. Depending on the fonts installed, the following fragment shows Hebrew and Cyrillic lyrics, @cindex Cyrillic @cindex Hebrew @cindex ASCII, non @lilypondfile{utf8.ly} The @TeX{} backend does not handle encoding specially at all. Strings in the input are put in the output as-is. Extents of text items in the @TeX{} backend, are determined by reading a file created via the @file{texstr} backend, @example lilypond -b texstr input/les-nereides.ly latex les-nereides.texstr @end example The last command produces @file{les-nereides.textmetrics}, which is read when you execute @example lilypond -b tex input/les-nereides.ly @end example Both @file{les-nereides.texstr} and @file{les-nereides.tex} need suitable LaTeX wrappers to load appropriate La@TeX{} packages for interpreting non-ASCII strings. @seealso @inputfileref[fontload]{input/regression,utf8.ly} @node Nested scores @subsection Nested scores It is possible to nest music inside markups, by adding a @code{\score} block to a markup expression. Such a score must contain a @code{\layout} block. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,raggedright] \relative { c4 d^\markup { \score { \relative { c4 d e f } \layout { } } } e f } @end lilypond @node Overview of text markup commands @subsection Overview of text markup commands The following commands can all be used inside @code{\markup @{ @}}. @include markup-commands.tely @node New dynamic marks @subsection New dynamic marks It is possible to print new dynamic marks or text that should be aligned with dynamics. Use @code{make-dynamic-script} to create these marks. @cindex make-dynamic-script @lilypond[quote,verbatim,raggedright] sfzp = #(make-dynamic-script "sfzp") \relative c' { c4 c c\sfzp c } @end lilypond @cindex Dynamics, editorial @cindex Dynamics, parenthesis It is also possible to print dynamics in round parenthesis or square brackets. These are often used for adding editorial dynamics. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,raggedright] \version "2.4.2" rndf = \markup{ \center-align {\line { \bold{\italic (} \dynamic f \bold{\italic )} }} } boxf = \markup{ \bracket { \dynamic f } } { c'1_\rndf c'1_\boxf } @end lilypond @node Global layout @section Global layout The global layout is determined by three factors: the page layout, the line breaks, and the spacing. These all influence each other. The choice of spacing determines how densely each system of music is set. This influences where line breaks are chosen, and thus ultimately, how many pages a piece of music takes. Globally spoken, this procedure happens in three steps: first, flexible distances (``springs'') are chosen, based on durations. All possible line breaking combinations are tried, and the one with the best results -- a layout that has uniform density and requires as little stretching or cramping as possible -- is chosen. After spacing and linebreaking, the systems are distributed across pages, taking into account the size of the page, and the size of the titles. @menu * Setting global staff size:: * Paper size:: * Page layout:: * Vertical spacing:: * Vertical spacing of piano staves:: * Horizontal spacing:: * Line length:: * Line breaking:: * Page breaking:: * Multiple movements:: * Creating titles:: @end menu @node Setting global staff size @subsection Setting global staff size @cindex font size, setting @cindex staff size, setting @cindex @code{layout} file To set the global staff size, use @code{set-global-staff-size}. @example #(set-global-staff-size 14) @end example @noindent This sets the global default size to 14pt staff height and scales all fonts accordingly. The Feta font provides musical symbols at eight different sizes. Each font is tuned for a different staff size: at a smaller size the font becomes heavier, to match the relatively heavier staff lines. The recommended font sizes are listed in the following table: @quotation @multitable @columnfractions .15 .2 .22 .2 @item @b{font name} @tab @b{staff height (pt)} @tab @b{staff height (mm)} @tab @b{use} @item feta11 @tab 11.22 @tab 3.9 @tab pocket scores @item feta13 @tab 12.60 @tab 4.4 @tab @item feta14 @tab 14.14 @tab 5.0 @tab @item feta16 @tab 15.87 @tab 5.6 @tab @item feta18 @tab 17.82 @tab 6.3 @tab song books @item feta20 @tab 20 @tab 7.0 @tab standard parts @item feta23 @tab 22.45 @tab 7.9 @tab @item feta26 @tab 25.2 @tab 8.9 @tab @c modern rental material? @end multitable @end quotation These fonts are available in any sizes. The context property @code{fontSize} and the layout property @code{staff-space} (in @internalsref{StaffSymbol}) can be used to tune the size for individual staves. The sizes of individual staves are relative to the global size. @example @end example @seealso This manual: @ref{Selecting font sizes}. @node Paper size @subsection Paper size @cindex paper size @cindex page size @cindex @code{papersize} To change the paper size, there are two equal commands, @example #(set-default-paper-size "a4") \paper @{ #(set-paper-size "a4") @} @end example The first command sets the size of all pages. The second command sets the size of the pages that the @code{\paper} block applies to -- if the @code{\paper} block is at the top of the file, then it will apply to all pages. If the @code{\paper} block is inside a @code{\score}, then the paper size will only apply to that score. The following paper sizes are supported: @code{a6}, @code{a5}, @code{a4}, @code{a3}, @code{legal}, @code{letter}, @code{tabloid}. @cindex orientation @cindex landscape If the symbol @code{landscape} is supplied as an argument to @code{set-default-paper-size}, the pages will be rotated by 90 degrees, and wider line widths will be set correspondingly. @example #(set-default-paper-size "a6" 'landscape) @end example @node Page layout @subsection Page layout @cindex page layout @cindex margins @cindex header, page @cindex footer, page LilyPond will do page layout, set margins, and add headers and footers to each page. The default layout responds to the following settings in the @code{\paper} block. @cindex \paper @quotation @table @code @item firstpagenumber The value of the page number of the first page. Default is@tie{}1. @item printfirstpagenumber If set to true, will print the page number in the first page. Default is false. @item hsize The width of the page. @item vsize The height of the page. @item topmargin Margin between header and top of the page. @item bottommargin Margin between footer and bottom of the page. @item leftmargin Margin between the left side of the page and the beginning of the music. @item linewidth The length of the systems. @item headsep Distance between the top-most music system and the page header. @item footsep Distance between the bottom-most music system and the page footer. @item raggedbottom If set to true, systems will not be spread across the page. This should be set false for pieces that have only two or three systems per page, for example orchestral scores. @item raggedlastbottom If set to false, systems will be spread to fill the last page. Pieces that amply fill two pages or more should have this set to true. @item betweensystemspace This dimensions determines the distance between systems. It is the ideal distance between the center of the bottom staff of one system and the center of the top staff of the next system. Increasing this will provide a more even appearance of the page at the cost of using more vertical space. @item betweensystempadding This dimension is the minimum amount of white space that will always be present between the bottom-most symbol of one system, and the top-most of the next system. Increasing this will put systems whose bounding boxes almost touch farther apart. @item aftertitlespace Amount of space between the title and the first system. @item beforetitlespace Amount of space between the last system of the previous piece and the title of the next. @item betweentitlespace Amount of space between consecutive titles (e.g., the title of the book and the title of a piece). @item systemSeparatorMarkup This contains a markup object, which will be inserted between systems. This is often used for orchestral scores. The markup command @code{\slashSeparator} is provided as a sensible default, for example @lilypond[raggedright] \paper { systemSeparatorMarkup = \slashSeparator } \relative { c1 \break c1 } @end lilypond @end table @end quotation Example: @example \paper@{ hsize = 2\cm topmargin = 3\cm bottommargin = 3\cm raggedlastbottom = ##t @} @end example You can also define these values in Scheme. In that case @code{mm}, @code{in}, @code{pt}, and @code{cm} are variables defined in @file{paper-defaults.ly} with values in millimeters. That's why the value has to be multiplied in the example @example \paper @{ #(define bottommargin (* 2 cm)) @} @end example @cindex copyright @cindex tagline The default footer is empty, except for the first page, where the @code{copyright} field from @code{\header} is inserted, and the last page, where @code{tagline} from @code{\header} is added. The default tagline is ``Engraved by LilyPond (@var{version})''.@footnote{Nicely printed parts are good PR for us, so please leave the tagline if you can.} The header and footer are created by the functions @code{make-footer} and @code{make-header}, defined in @code{\paper}. The default implementations are in @file{scm/@/page@/-layout@/.scm}. The following settings influence the header and footer layout. @quotation @table @code @item printpagenumber this boolean controls whether a pagenumber is printed. @end table @end quotation The page layout itself is done by two functions in the @code{\paper} block, @code{page-music-height} and @code{page-make-stencil}. The former tells the line-breaking algorithm how much space can be spent on a page, the latter creates the actual page given the system to put on it. @refbugs The option rightmargin is defined but doesn't set the right margin yet. The value for the right margin has to be defined adjusting the values of the leftmargin and linewidth. The default page header puts the page number and the @code{instrument} field from the @code{\header} block on a line. @node Vertical spacing @subsection Vertical spacing @cindex vertical spacing @cindex distance between staves @cindex staff distance @cindex between staves, distance @cindex staves per page @cindex space between staves The height of each system is determined automatically. To prevent systems from bumping into each other, some minimum distances are set. By changing these, you can put staves closer together, and thus put more systems onto one page. Normally staves are stacked vertically. To make staves maintain a distance, their vertical size is padded. This is done with the property @code{minimumVerticalExtent}. It takes a pair of numbers, so if you want to make it smaller than its default @code{#'(-4 . 4)}, then you could set @example \set Staff.minimumVerticalExtent = #'(-3 . 3) @end example @noindent This sets the vertical size of the current staff to 3 staff spaces on either side of the center staff line. The argument of @code{minimumVerticalExtent} is interpreted as an interval, where the center line is the 0, so the first number is generally negative. The staff can be made larger at the bottom by setting it to @code{(-6 . 4)}. To change the amount of space between systems, use @code{betweensystemspace}. A score with only one staff is still considered to have systems, so setting @code{betweensystemspace} will be much more useful than changing @code{minimumVerticalExtent}. @example \layout @{ betweensystemspace = 10\mm @} @end example @seealso Internals: Vertical alignment of staves is handled by the @internalsref{VerticalAlignment} object. @refbugs @code{minimumVerticalExtent} is syntactic sugar for setting @code{minimum-Y-extent} of the @internalsref{VerticalAxisGroup} of the current context. It can only be changed score wide. @node Vertical spacing of piano staves @subsection Vertical spacing of piano staves The distance between staves of a @internalsref{PianoStaff} cannot be computed during formatting. Rather, to make cross-staff beaming work correctly, that distance has to be fixed beforehand. The distance of staves in a @code{PianoStaff} is set with the @code{forced-distance} property of the @internalsref{VerticalAlignment} object, created in @internalsref{PianoStaff}. It can be adjusted as follows @example \new PianoStaff \with @{ \override VerticalAlignment #'forced-distance = #7 @} @{ ... @} @end example @noindent This would bring the staves together at a distance of 7 staff spaces, measured from the center line of each staff. The difference is demonstrated in the following example, @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \relative << \new PianoStaff \with { \override VerticalAlignment #'forced-distance = #7 } << \new Staff { c1 } \new Staff { c } >> \new PianoStaff << \new Staff { c } \new Staff { c } >> >> @end lilypond @refbugs @code{forced-distance} cannot be changed per system. @node Horizontal spacing @subsection Horizontal Spacing The spacing engine translates differences in durations into stretchable distances (``springs'') of differring lengths. Longer durations get more space, shorter durations get less. The shortest durations get a fixed amount of space (which is controlled by @code{shortest-duration-space} in the @internalsref{SpacingSpanner} object). The longer the duration, the more space it gets: doubling a duration adds a fixed amount (this amount is controlled by @code{spacing-increment}) of space to the note. For example, the following piece contains lots of half, quarter, and 8th notes; the eighth note is followed by 1 note head width (NHW). The quarter note is followed by 2 NHW, the half by 3 NHW, etc. @lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim,relative=1] c2 c4. c8 c4. c8 c4. c8 c8 c8 c4 c4 c4 @end lilypond Normally, @code{spacing-increment} is set to 1.2 staff space, which is approximately the width of a note head, and @code{shortest-duration-space} is set to 2.0, meaning that the shortest note gets 2.4 staff space (2.0 times the @code{spacing-increment}) of horizontal space. This space is counted from the left edge of the symbol, so the shortest notes are generally followed by one NHW of space. If one would follow the above procedure exactly, then adding a single 32nd note to a score that uses 8th and 16th notes, would widen up the entire score a lot. The shortest note is no longer a 16th, but a 32nd, thus adding 1 NHW to every note. To prevent this, the shortest duration for spacing is not the shortest note in the score, but rather the one which occurs most frequently. The most common shortest duration is determined as follows: in every measure, the shortest duration is determined. The most common shortest duration is taken as the basis for the spacing, with the stipulation that this shortest duration should always be equal to or shorter than an 8th note. The shortest duration is printed when you run @code{lilypond} with the @code{--verbose} option. These durations may also be customized. If you set the @code{common-shortest-duration} in @internalsref{SpacingSpanner}, then this sets the base duration for spacing. The maximum duration for this base (normally an 8th), is set through @code{base-shortest-duration}. @cindex @code{common-shortest-duration} @cindex @code{base-shortest-duration} @cindex @code{stem-spacing-correction} @cindex @code{spacing} Notes that are even shorter than the common shortest note are followed by a space that is proportional to their duration relative to the common shortest note. So if we were to add only a few 16th notes to the example above, they would be followed by half a NHW: @lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim,relative=2] c2 c4. c8 c4. c16[ c] c4. c8 c8 c8 c4 c4 c4 @end lilypond In the introduction (see @ref{Engraving}), it was explained that stem directions influence spacing. This is controlled with the @code{stem-spacing-correction} property in the @internalsref{NoteSpacing}, object. These are generated for every @internalsref{Voice} context. The @code{StaffSpacing} object (generated in @internalsref{Staff} context) contains the same property for controlling the stem/bar line spacing. The following example shows these corrections, once with default settings, and once with exaggerated corrections: @lilypond[quote,raggedright] { c'4 e''4 e'4 b'4 | b'4 e''4 b'4 e''4| \override Staff.NoteSpacing #'stem-spacing-correction = #1.5 \override Staff.StaffSpacing #'stem-spacing-correction = #1.5 c'4 e''4 e'4 b'4 | b'4 e''4 b'4 e''4| } @end lilypond @seealso Internals: @internalsref{SpacingSpanner}, @internalsref{NoteSpacing}, @internalsref{StaffSpacing}, @internalsref{SeparationItem}, and @internalsref{SeparatingGroupSpanner}. @refbugs Spacing is determined on a score wide basis. If you have a score that changes its character (measured in durations) halfway during the score, the part containing the longer durations will be spaced too widely. There is no convenient mechanism to manually override spacing. The following work-around may be used to insert extra space into a score. @example \once \override Score.SeparationItem #'padding = #1 @end example No work-around exists for decreasing the amount of space. @node Line length @subsection Line length @cindex page breaks @cindex breaking pages @cindex @code{indent} @cindex @code{linewidth} @c Although linewidth can be set in \layout, it should be set in paper @c block, to get page layout right. @c Setting indent in \paper block makes not much sense, but it works. @c Bit verbose and vague, use examples? The most basic settings influencing the spacing are @code{indent} and @code{linewidth}. They are set in the @code{\layout} block. They control the indentation of the first line of music, and the lengths of the lines. If @code{raggedright} is set to true in the @code{\layout} block, then the lines are justified at their natural length. This is useful for short fragments, and for checking how tight the natural spacing is. @cindex page layout @cindex vertical spacing The option @code{raggedlast} is similar to @code{raggedright}, but only affects the last line of the piece. No restrictions are put on that line. The result is similar to formatting text paragraphs. In a paragraph, the last line simply takes its natural length. @c Note that for text there are several options for the last line. @c While Knuth TeX uses natural length, lead typesetters use the same @c stretch as the previous line. eTeX uses \lastlinefit to @c interpolate between both these solutions. @node Line breaking @subsection Line breaking @cindex line breaks @cindex breaking lines Line breaks are normally computed automatically. They are chosen so that lines look neither cramped nor loose, and that consecutive lines have similar density. Occasionally you might want to override the automatic breaks; you can do this by specifying @code{\break}. This will force a line break at this point. Line breaks can only occur at places where there are bar lines. If you want to have a line break where there is no bar line, you can force an invisible bar line by entering @code{\bar ""}. Similarly, @code{\noBreak} forbids a line break at a point. @cindex regular line breaks @cindex four bar music. For line breaks at regular intervals use @code{\break} separated by skips and repeated with @code{\repeat}: @example << \repeat unfold 7 @{ s1 \noBreak s1 \noBreak s1 \noBreak s1 \break @} @emph{the real music} >> @end example @noindent This makes the following 28 measures (assuming 4/4 time) be broken every 4 measures, and only there. @refcommands @code{\break}, and @code{\noBreak}. @cindex @code{\break} @cindex @code{\noBreak} @seealso Internals: @internalsref{BreakEvent}. @node Page breaking @subsection Page breaking The default page breaking may be overriden by inserting @code{\pageBreak} or @code{\noPageBreak} commands. These commands are analogous to @code{\break} and @code{\noBreak}. They should be inserted at a bar line. These commands force and forbid a page-break from happening. Of course, the @code{\pageBreak} command also forces a line break. Page breaks are computed by the @code{page-breaking} function in the @code{\paper} block. @refcommands @cindex @code{\pageBreak} @code{\pageBreak} @cindex @code{\noPageBreak} @code{\noPageBreak} @node Multiple movements @subsection Multiple movements @cindex bibliographic information @cindex titles @cindex composer @cindex Engraved by LilyPond A document may contain multiple pieces of music. Examples of these are an etude book, or an orchestral part with multiple movements. Each movement is entered with a @code{\score} block, @example \score @{ @var{..music..} @} @end example The movements are combined together in a @code{\book} block, like @example \book @{ \score @{ @var{..} @} \score @{ @var{..} @} @} @end example The header for each piece of music can be put inside the @code{\score} block. The @code{piece} name from the header will be printed before each movement. The title for the entire book can be put inside the @code{\book}, but if it is not present, the @code{\header} which is at the top of the file is inserted. @cindex Engraved by LilyPond @cindex signature line @example \book @{ \header @{ title = "Eight miniatures" composer = "Igor Stravinsky" @} \score @{ @dots{} \header @{ piece = "Romanze" @} @} \score @{ @dots{} \header @{ piece = "Menuetto" @} @} @} @end example @node Creating titles @subsection Creating titles Titles are created for each @code{\score} block, and over a @code{\book}. The contents of the titles are taken from the @code{\header} blocks. The header block for a book supports the following @table @code @item title The title of the music. Centered on top of the first page. @item subtitle Subtitle, centered below the title. @item subsubtitle Subsubtitle, centered below the subtitle. @item poet Name of the poet, flush-left below the subtitle. @item composer Name of the composer, flush-right below the subtitle. @item meter Meter string, flush-left below the poet. @item opus Name of the opus, flush-right below the composer. @item arranger Name of the arranger, flush-right below the opus. @item instrument Name of the instrument, centered below the arranger. @item dedication To whom the piece is dedicated. @item piece Name of the piece, flush-left below the instrument. @cindex page breaks, forcing @item breakbefore This forces the title to start on a new page. @end table Here is a demonstration of the fields available, @lilypond[quote,verbatim,linewidth=11.0\cm] \paper { linewidth = 9.0\cm vsize = 10.0\cm } \book { \header { title = "Title," subtitle = "the subtitle," subsubtitle = "and the sub sub title" poet = "Poet" composer = "Composer" texttranslator = "Text Translator" meter = "Meter" arranger = "Arranger" instrument = "Instrument" piece = "Piece" } \score { \header { piece = "piece1" opus = "opus1" } { c'1 } } \score { \header { piece = "piece2" opus = "opus2" } { c'1 } } } @end lilypond Different fonts may be selected for each element by using @code{\markup}, e.g., @example \header @{ title = \markup @{ \italic @{ The italic title @} @} @} @end example A more advanced option is to change the definitions of the following variables in the @code{\paper} block. The init file @file{ly/titling-init.ly} lists the default layout. @table @code @item bookTitleMarkup This is the title put over an entire @code{\book} block. Typically, it has the composer and the title of the piece @item scoreTitleMarkup This is the title put over a @code{\score} block within a @code{\book}. Typically, it has the name of the movement (@code{piece} field). @item oddHeaderMarkup This is the page header for odd-numbered pages. @item evenHeaderMarkup This is the page header for even-numbered pages. If unspecified, the odd header is used instead. By default, headers are defined such that the page number is on the outside edge, and the instrument is centered. @item oddFooterMarkup This is the page footer for odd-numbered pages. @item evenFooterMarkup This is the page footer for even-numbered pages. If unspecified, the odd header is used instead. By default, the footer has the copyright notice on the first, and the tagline on the last page. @end table @cindex \paper @cindex header @cindex footer @cindex page layout @cindex titles The following definition will put the title flush left, and the composer flush right on a single line. @verbatim \paper { bookTitleMarkup = \markup { \fill-line @{ \fromproperty #'header:title \fromproperty #'header:composer @} } } @end verbatim @node File structure @section File structure The major part of this manual is concerned with entering various forms of music in LilyPond. However, many music expressions are not valid input on their own, for example, a @code{.ly} file containing only a note @example c'4 @end example @noindent will result in a parsing error. Instead, music should be inside other expressions, which may be put in a file by themselves. Such expressions are called toplevel expressions. This section enumerates them all. A @code{.ly} file contains any number of toplevel expressions, where a toplevel expression is one of the following @itemize @bullet @item An output definition, such as @code{\paper}, @code{\midi}, and @code{\layout}. Such a definition at the toplevel changes the default settings for the block entered. @item A @code{\header} block. This sets the global header block. This is the block containing the definitions for book-wide settings, like composer, title, etc. @item An @code{\addquote} statement. See @ref{Quoting other voices} for more information. @item A @code{\score} block. This score will be collected with other toplevel scores, and combined as a single @code{\book}. This behavior can be changed by setting the variable @code{toplevel-score-handler} at toplevel. The default handler is defined in the init file @file{scm/@/lily@/.scm}. @item A @code{\book} block logically combines multiple movements (i.e., multiple @code{\score} blocks) in one document. A number of @code{\scores} creates a single output file, where all movement are concatenated. This behavior can be changed by setting the variable @code{toplevel-book-handler} at toplevel. The default handler is defined in the init file @file{scm/@/lily@/.scm}. @item A compound music expression, such as @example @{ c'4 d' e'2 @} @end example This will add the piece in a @code{\score} and format it in a single book together with all other toplevel @code{\score}s and music expressions. This behavior can be changed by setting the variable @code{toplevel-music-handler} at toplevel. The default handler is defined in the init file @file{scm/@/lily@/.scm}. @item An indentifier, such as @example foo = @{ c4 d e d @} @end example This can be used later on in the file by entering @code{\foo}. @end itemize The following example shows three things that may be entered at toplevel @example \layout @{ % movements are non-justified by default raggedright = ##t @} \header @{ title = "Do-re-mi" @} @{ c'4 d' e2 @} @end example At any point in a file, any of the following lexical instructions can be entered: @itemize @bullet @item @code{\version} @item @code{\include} @item @code{\renameinput} @end itemize