@c -*-texinfo-*- @node Tutorial @chapter Tutorial @menu * Introduction:: Introduction * Running LilyPond:: Getting started * The first tune:: The first tune * Lyrics and chords:: Lyrics and chords * More movements:: More than one movement in a file * Piano music:: Piano music * end of tutorial:: The end @end menu @node Introduction @section Introduction LilyPond prints music from a specification that you, the user, supply. You have to give that specification using a @emph{language}. This chapter is a gentle introduction to that language. This tutorial will demonstrate how to use Lilypond by presenting examples of input along with resulting output. We will use English terms for notation. In case you are not familiar with those, you may consult the glossary that is distributed with LilyPond. @cindex examples, tutorial The examples discussed are included in the distribution, in the subdirectory @file{input/tutorial/}.@footnote{When we refer to filenames, they are relative to the top directory of the source package. @cindex file names } We recommend that you experiment with writing Lilypond input yourself, to get a feel for how the program behaves. @node Running LilyPond @section Running LilyPond Before we dive into describing the input language of LilyPond, we first show you through the procedure for getting notes on your screen and out of your printer. The first step is creating an input file. Using your favorite text-editor, create @file{test.ly} containing @example \header @{ title = "Test"; @} \score @{ \notes @{ c'4 e'4 g'4 @} \paper @{ @} @} @end example @unnumberedsubsec Unix @cindex Unix, Running lilypond on If you run Unix, proceed as follows: run lilypond on the file, i.e., @example lilypond test @end example You will the following on your screen: @example GNU LilyPond 1.3.125. Now processing: `input/tutorial/test.ly' Parsing... Interpreting music...[1] Preprocessing elements... Calculating column positions... [2] paper output to test.tex... @end example Now, run @TeX{}@footnote{@TeX{} is a text-typesetting system that is especially suited for typesetting mathematics}. The result should resemble this: @example This is TeX, Version 3.14159 (Web2C 7.3.1) (test.tex (/home/hanwen/usr/share/lilypond/tex/lilyponddefs.tex (/home/hanwen/usr/share/lilypond/tex/lilypond-plaintex.tex LilyPond Plain TeX settings) (/home/hanwen/usr/src/ ... (/home/hanwen/usr/share/lilypond/tex/lily-ps-defs.tex) [footer empty] (/home/hanwen/usr/share/lilypond/tex/fetdefs.tex)) [1] ) Output written on test.dvi (1 page, 3716 bytes). Transcript written on test.log. @end example The result of the @TeX{} run is a @TeX{} ``DeVice Independent'' file (@file{test.dvi}). @cindex DVI file @cindex @TeX{} @cindex Viewing music @cindex @code{xdvi} To view the output, run Xdvi, i.e. @example xdvi test @end example You should will see this @lilypond \header { title = "Test"; } \score { \notes { c'4 e'4 g'4 } \paper { } } @end lilypond along with some buttons in a window. @cindex postscript, converting to When you're satisfied with the result, you can print it. For printing, you have to generate a postscript file: @example dvips -o test.ps test.dvi @end example which looks like this: @example This is dvips(k) 5.86 Copyright 1999 Radical Eye Soft ... ' TeX output 2001.01.27:1806' -> test.ps . [1] @end example @cindex PostScript @cindex Printing output @cindex GhostScript @cindex @code{lpr} PostScript is a page description language, similar to PDF. Some printers can understand a postscript file directly, but the cheapers need the intervention of GhostScript, a PostScript emulator that runs on your computer instead of your printer. Most Linux distributions nowadays have GhostScript running ``in the background'', so any configured printer will act as a PostScript printer. Assuming this, the following command will print the file @example lpr test.ps @end example If this does not make your printer produce a page of music, then you should look into installing and configuring ghostscript. Refer to GhostScript's website at @uref{http://www.ghostscript.com}. There are two different routes: firstly, you can add titling to the output. This is done by a separate program called ly2dvi: this program first calls LilyPond to process the @file{.ly} file, and then runs @TeX{} on it to produce a @file{.dvi} file with proper margin settings and titling. @cindex titles, adding @cindex ly2dvi @example ly2dvi test.ly @end example After some disk-activity, you should end up with a @file{.dvi} file. 6 Secondly, you can generate PostScript directly. This is not very useful currently, but here goes: @cindex PostScript output @example lilypond -f ps test.ly @end example [treat FAQs here, eg. about env vars.] @unnumberedsubsec Windows [todo] @node The first tune @section The first tune To demonstrate what LilyPond input looks like, we start off with a full-fledged, yet simple example. It is a convoluted version of the famous menuet in J. S. Bach's @emph{Klavierb@"uchlein}. The file is included in the distribution as @file{menuet.ly}. @cindex Bach, Johann Sebastian @lilypond[verbatim] % lines preceded by a percent are comments which % are ignored by Lilypond. \include "paper16.ly" \score { \notes \relative c'' \sequential{ \time 3/4; \key g \major; \repeat "volta" 2 { d4 g,8 a b c d4 g, g | e'4 c8 d e fis g4 g, g | c4 d8()c b a( )b4 c8 b a g | a4 [b8 a] [g fis] g2. | } b'4 g8 a b g a4 d,8 e fis d | g4 e8 fis g d cis4 b8 cis a4 | a8-. b-. cis-. d-. e-. fis-. g4 fis e | fis a, r8 cis8 d2.-\fermata \bar "|."; } \paper { % standard settings are too wide for a book linewidth = 14.0 \cm; } } @end lilypond We will analyse the input, line by line. @example % lines preceded by a percent are comments which % are ignored by Lilypond. @end example The percent sign, @code{%}, introduces a line comment. If you want to make larger comments, you can use block comments. These are delimited by @code{%@{} and @code{%@}} @cindex comment @cindex block comment @cindex line comment @example \include "paper16.ly" @end example @cindex @code{\include} @cindex point, printer's @cindex staff size setting By default, LilyPond will use definitions for a staff that is 20 point@footnote {A point is the standard measure of length for printing; one point is 1/72.27 inch. [TODO: mm vs. pt]} high. We want smaller output (16 point staff height), so we must import the settings for that size, which is done here. @example \score @{ @end example A lilypond file combines music with directions for outputting that music. The music is combined with the output directions by putting them into a @code{\score} block. @example \notes @end example This makes LilyPond ready for accepting notes. @example \relative c'' @end example @cindex octaves, choosing @cindex pitch As we will see, pitches are combinations of octave, note name and chromatic alteration. In this scheme, the octave is indicated by using raised quotes (@code{'}) and ``lowered'' quotes (commas: @code{,}). The central C is denoted by @code{c'}. The C one octave higher is @code{c''}. One and two octaves below the central C is denoted by @code{c} and @code{c,} respectively. @cindex relative For pitches in a long piece you might have to type many quotes. To remedy this, LilyPond has a ``relative'' octave entry mode. In this mode, octaves of notes without quotes are chosen such that a note is as close as possible (graphically, on the staff) to the the preceding note. If you add a high-quote an extra octave is added. The lowered quote (a comma) will subtract an extra octave. Because the first note has no predecessor, you have to give the (absolute) pitch of the note to start with. @example \sequential @{ @end example What follows is sequential music, i.e., @cindex sequential music notes that are to be played and printed after each other. @example \time 3/4; @end example @cindex time signature, setting @cindex @code{\time} This command changes the time signature of the current piece: a 3/4 sign is printed. This command is also used to generate bar lines in the right spots. @example \key g \major; @end example @cindex key signature, setting @cindex @code{\key} This command changes the current key signature to G-major. Although this command comes after the @code{\time} command, in the output, the key signature comes before the time signature: LilyPond knows about music typesetting conventions. @example \repeat "volta" 2 @end example This command tells LilyPond that the following piece of music must be played twice. The first argument indicates the type of repeat. In this case, @code{"volta"} means that volta brackets are be used for alternatives---if there were any. @example @{ @end example The subject of the repeat is again sequential music. Since @code{\sequential} is such a common construct, a shorthand is provided: just leave off @code{\sequential}, and the result is the same. @example d4 @end example This is a note with pitch @code{d} (determined up to octaves). The relative music was started with a @code{c''}, so the real pitch of this note is @code{d''}. The @code{4} designates the duration of the note (it is a quarter note). @example a b @end example These are notes with pitch @code{a} and @code{b}. Because their duration is the same as the @code{g}, there is no need to enter the duration (You may enter it anyway, e.g. @code{a4 b4}) @example d4 g, g | @end example @cindex bar check @cindex @code{|} @cindex errors, finding Three more notes. The @code{|} character is a `bar check'. When processing the music, LilyPond will verify that bar checks are found at the start of a measure. This can help you track down errors. @cindex alteration, chromatic @cindex chromatic alteration So far, no notes were chromatically altered. Here is the first one that is: @code{fis}. Lilypond by default uses Dutch note names, and ``Fis'' is the Dutch note name for ``F sharp''. However, there is no sharp sign in the output. The program keeps track of key signatures, and will only print accidentals if they are needed. @example c8 d e fis @end example LilyPond guesses were beams can be added to eighth and shorter notes. In this case, a beam over 4 eighths is added. @example c4 d8( )c b a( )b4 c8 b a g | @end example The next line shows how to make a slur: the beginning and ending note of the slur is marked with an opening and closing parenthesis respectively. In the line shown above, this is done for two slurs. Slur markers (parentheses) are put between the slurred notes. @example a4 [b8 a] [g fis] @end example Automatic beaming can be overridden by inserting beam marks (brackets). Brackets are put around the notes you want beamed. @example g2. | @end example @cindex augmentation dot @cindex dot A duration with augmentation dot is notated with the duration number followed by a period. @example @} @end example This ends the sequential music to be repeated. LilyPond will typeset a repeat bar. @example cis'4 b8 cis a4 | @end example This line shows that Lily will print an accidental if that is needed: the first C sharp of the bar will be printed with an accidental, the second one without. @example a8-. b-. cis-. d-. e-. fis-. @end example @cindex articulation You can enter articulation signs either in a verbose form using a shorthand. Here we demonstrate the shorthand: it is formed by a dash and the character for the articulation to use, e.g. @code{-.} for staccato as shown above. @example fis a, r8 cis8 @end example Rests are denoted by the special notename @code{r}. @example d2.-\fermata @end example All articulations have a verbose form, like @code{\fermata}. The command @code{\fermata} is not part of the core of the language (most of the other discussed elements are), but it is a shorthand for a more complicated description of a fermata. @code{\fermata} names that description and is therefore called an identifier. @cindex identifier @cindex @code{\fermata} @example @} @end example Here the music ends. @example \paper @{ linewidth = 14.0\cm; @} @end example This specifies a conversion from music to notation output. Most of the details of this conversions (font sizes, dimensions, etc.) have been taken care of, but to fit the output in this document, it has to be smaller. We do this by setting the line width to 14 centimeters (approximately 5.5 inches). @example @} @end example The last brace ends the @code{\score} block. @node Lyrics and chords @section Lyrics and chords In this section we show how to typeset a song.@footnote{The author would welcome information about the origin of this song.}. This file is included as @file{flowing.ly}. @example \header @{ title = "The river is flowing"; composer = "Traditional (?)"; @} \include "paper16.ly" melody = \notes \relative c' @{ \partial 8; \key c \minor; g8 | c4 c8 d [es () d] c4 | f4 f8 g [es() d] c g | c4 c8 d [es () d] c4 | d4 es8 d c4. \bar "|."; @} text = \lyrics @{ The ri -- ver is flo- __ wing, flo -- wing and gro -- wing, the ri -- ver is flo -- wing down to the sea. @} accompaniment =\chords @{ r8 c2:3- f:3-.7 d:min es4 c8:min r8 c2:min f:min7 g:7^3.5 c:min @} \score @{ \simultaneous @{ % \accompaniment \context ChordNames \accompaniment \addlyrics \context Staff = mel @{ \property Staff.noAutoBeaming = ##t \property Staff.automaticMelismata = ##t \melody @} \context Lyrics \text @} \midi @{ \tempo 4=72;@} \paper @{ linewidth = 10.0\cm; @} @} @end example The result would look this@footnote{The titling and font size shown may differ, since the titling in this document is not generated by @file{ly2dvi}.}. @center @strong{The river is flowing} @center Traditional @lilypond[center] \header { title = "The river is flowing"; composer = "Traditional (?)"; } \include "paper16.ly" melody = \notes \relative c' { \partial 8; \key c \minor; g8 | c4 c8 d [es () d] c4 | f4 f8 g [es() d] c g | c4 c8 d [es () d] c4 | d4 es8 d c4. \bar "|."; } text = \lyrics { The ri -- ver is flo- __ wing, flo -- wing and gro -- wing, the ri -- ver is flo -- wing down to the sea. } accompaniment =\chords { r8 c2:3- f:3-.7 d:min es4 c8:min r8 c2:min f:min7 g:7^3.5 c:min } \score { \simultaneous { % \accompaniment \context ChordNames \accompaniment \addlyrics \context Staff = mel { \property Staff.noAutoBeaming = ##t \property Staff.automaticMelismata = ##t \melody } \context Lyrics \text } \midi { \tempo 4=72;} \paper { linewidth = 10.0\cm; } } @end lilypond Again, we will dissect the file line by line. @example \header @{ @end example @cindex @code{\header} Information about the music you are about to typeset goes into a @code{\header} block. The information in this block is not used by LilyPond, but it is passed into the output. @file{ly2dvi} uses this information to print titles above the music. @example title = "The river is flowing"; composer = "Traditional (?)"; @end example @cindex assignments @cindex identifier assignment the @code{\header} block contains assignments. An assignment starts with a string. (which is unquoted, in this case). Then comes the equal sign. After the equal sign comes the expression you want to store. In this case, you want to put in strings. The information has to be quoted here, because it contains spaces. Each assignment is finished with a semicolon. @example \include "paper16.ly" @end example Smaller size for inclusion in a book. @example melody = \notes \relative c' @{ @end example The structure of the file will be the same as the previous one, a @code{\score} block with music in it. To keep things readable, we will give names to the different parts of music, and use the names to construct the music within the score block. @example \partial 8; @end example @cindex @code{\partial} @cindex anacrusis The piece starts with an anacrusis of one eighth. @example \key c \minor; @end example The key is C minor: we have three flats. @example c4 c8 d [es () d] c4 | f4 f8 g [es() d] c g | c4 c8 d [es () d] c4 | d4 es8 d c4. \bar "|."; @end example @cindex manual beaming @cindex automatic beaming, turning off We use explicit beaming. Since this is a song, we will turn automatic beams off, and use explicit beaming where needed. @example @} @end example This ends the definition of @code{melody}. Note that there are no semicolons after assignments at top level. @example text = \lyrics @{ @end example @cindex lyrics @cindex identifier assignment @cindex syllables, entering Another identifier assignment. This one is for the lyrics. Lyrics are formed by syllables that have duration, and not by notes. To make LilyPond parse words as syllables, switch it into lyrics mode with @code{\lyrics}. Again, the brace after @code{\lyrics} is a shorthand for @code{\sequential @{}. @example The4 ri -- ver is flo- __ wing, flo -- wing and gro -- wing, the ri- ver is flo- __ wing down to the sea. @} @end example @cindex extenders, lyric @cindex hyphens, lyric The syllables themselves are separated by spaces. You can get syllable extenders by entering @code{__}, and centered hyphens with `@code{-}@code{-}'. We enter the syllables as if they are all quarter notes in length (hence the @code{4}), and use a feature to align the syllables to the music (which obviously isn't all quarter notes.) @example accompaniment =\chords @{ @end example @cindex chords @cindex mode, chords We'll put chords over the music, to enter them, there is a special mode, called @code{\chords}. There is a special mode (analogous to @code{\lyrics} and @code{\notes} mode) where you can give the names of the chords you want, instead of the notes comprising the chord. @example r8 @end example There is no accompaniment during the anacrusis. @example c2:3- f:3-.7 @end example @cindex tonic @cindex chord modifier @cindex modifier, chord A chord is started by the tonic of the chord. The first one lasts a half note. An unadorned note creates a major triad, while a minor triad is wanted. @code{3-} modifies the third to be small. @code{7} modifies (adds) a seventh, which is small by default to create the @code{f a c es} chord. Multiple modifiers must be separated by a dot. @example d:min es4 c8:min r8 @end example Some modifiers have predefined names, eg. @code{min} is the same as @code{3-}, so @code{d-min} is a minor @code{d} chord. @example c2:min f:min7 g:7^3.5 c:min @} @end example @cindex named modifier A named modifier @code{min} and a normal modifier @code{7} do not have to be separated by a dot. Tones from a chord are removed with chord subtractions. Subtractions are started with a caret, and they are also separated by dots. In this example, @code{g:7^3.5} produces a minor seventh. The brace ends the sequential music. @example \score @{ \simultaneous @{ @end example We assemble the music in the @code{\score} block. Melody, lyrics and accompaniment have to sound at the same time, so they should be @code{\simultaneous}. @cindex @code{\simultaneous} @example %\accompaniment @end example Chord mode generates notes grouped in @code{\simultaneous} music. If you remove the comment sign, you can see the chords in normal notation: they will be printed as note heads on a separate staff. @example \context ChordNames \accompaniment @end example @cindex context @cindex interpretation context @cindex notation context Normally, the notes that you enter are transformed into note heads. The note heads alone make no sense, they need surrounding information: a key signature, a clef, staff lines, etc. They need @emph{context}. In LilyPond, these symbols are created by objects called `interpretation contexts'. Interpretation contexts only exist during a run of LilyPond. Interpretation contexts that are for printing music (as opposed to playing music) are called `notation contexts'. By default, LilyPond will create a Staff context for you. If you removed the @code{%} sign in the previous line, you would see that mechanism in action. We don't want that default here, because we want chord names, not note heads. An interpretation context can also created upon explicit request. The keyword for such a request is @code{\context}. It takes two arguments. The first is the name of an interpretation context. The name is a string, it can be quoted with double quotes). The second argument is the music that should be interpreted in this context. For the previous line, we could have written @code{\context Staff \accompaniment}, and get the same effect. @example \addlyrics @end example @cindex @code{\addlyrics} @cindex lyrics and melody, combining @cindex combining lyrics and melody The lyrics need to be aligned with the melody. This is done by combining both with @code{\addlyrics}. @code{\addlyrics} takes two pieces of music (usually a melody and lyrics, in that order) and aligns the syllables of the second piece under the notes of the first piece. If you would reverse the order, the notes would be aligned on the lyrics, which is not very useful. (Besides, it looks silly.) @example \context Staff = mel @{ @end example This is the argument of @code{\addlyrics}. We instantiate a @code{Staff} context explicitly: should you chose to remove the comment before the ``note heads'' version of the accompaniment, the accompaniment will be on a nameless staff. The melody has to be on a different staff as the accompaniment. This is accomplished by giving the melody staff a different name. @example \property Staff.noAutoBeaming = ##t @end example @cindex \property @cindex context variables @cindex setting context variables An interpretation context has variables that tune its behaviour. One of the variables is @code{noAutoBeaming}. If set to @code{##t}, which is the boolean value @var{true}, LilyPond will not try to put automatic beaming on the current staff. @cindex GUILE @cindex Scheme @cindex accessinng Scheme @cindex evaluating Scheme @cindex LISP LilyPond internally uses GUILE, a Scheme-interpreter@footnote{Scheme is a language from the LISP family. You can learn more about Scheme at @uref{http://www.scheme.org}.} to represent data throughout the whole program. The hash-sign (@code{#}) accesses GUILE directly: the code following the hash-sign is evaluated as Scheme. The boolean value @var{true} is @code{#t} in Scheme, so for LilyPond @var{true} looks like @code{##t} @example \property Staff.automaticMelismata = ##t @end example @cindex automaticMelismata @cindex melismata @cindex @code{\addlyrics} and slurs Similarly, we don't want to print a syllable when there is a slur. This sets up @code{\addlyrics} to not put lyrics under notes while there is a slur. @example \melody @} @end example Finally, we put the melody on the current staff. Note that the @code{\property} directives and @code{\melody} are grouped in sequential music, so the property settings are done before the melody is processed. @example \context Lyrics \text @end example The second argument of @code{\addlyrics} is the text. The text also should not land on a Staff, but on a interpretation context for syllables, extenders, hyphens etc. This context is called Lyrics. @example @} @end example This ends @code{\simultaneous}. @example \midi @{ \tempo 4=72;@} @end example This makes the music go to a MIDI file. MIDI is great for checking music you enter. You listen to the MIDI file: if you hear something unexpected, it's probably a typing error. @code{\midi} starts an output definition, a declaration that specifies how to output music analogous to @code{\paper @{ @}}. You can specify the tempo using the @code{\tempo} command, in this case the tempo of quarter notes is set to 72 beats per minute. @example \paper @{ linewidth = 10.0\cm; @} @end example We also want notation output. The linewidth is short so the piece will be set in two lines. @example @} @end example End the score block. @node More movements @section More movements You probably ran @file{ly2dvi} on the last example, and ended up with a viewable @file{.dvi} file. However, between there are a few steps of which LilyPond is only one. To enhance your understanding of what's happening under the hood when you run @code{ly2dvi}, we explain what programs are run. @code{ly2dvi} is a program that calls a number of programs in sequence. The first thing it does, is running LilyPond on the input file. After some calculations, a @file{.tex} is produced. The contents of this file are very low-level instructions. For example, the following file (@file{layout.ly}) @example \version "1.3.124"; \header @{ title = "Two miniatures"; @} #(set! point-and-click #t) \paper @{ linewidth = -1.0; @} \score @{ \notes @{ c'4 d'4 @} \header @{ opus = "Opus 1."; piece = "Up"; @} @} \score @{ \notes @{ d'4 c'4 @} \header @{ opus = "Opus 2."; piece = "Down"; @} @} @end example results in something like this@footnote{The titling in this manual was not generated by ly2dvi, so details will differ.} @center @strong{Two miniatures} @flushright Opus 1. @end flushright @flushleft @var{Up} @end flushleft @lilypond \score { \notes { c'4 d'4 } \paper { linewidth = -1.0; } } @end lilypond @flushright Opus 2. @end flushright @flushleft @var{Down} @end flushleft @lilypond \score { \notes { d'4 c'4 } \paper { linewidth = -1.0; } } @end lilypond This file is produced by ly2dvi in a few stages, with the help of text formatting tools. LilyPond produces two output files, @file{layout.tex} and @file{layout-1.tex}. They both look like this: @example ... \placebox@{-5 \outputscale @}% @{ 8.7229 \outputscale @}% @{\magfontWXGEomMMBo\char90 @}% \placebox@{-4 \outputscale @}% @{ 81.0647 \outputscale @}% ... @end example @file{ly2dvi} analyses the progress indication that LilyPond spews out, and generates a file called @file{layout_ly1.tex}. This file contains formatting instructions for the title and page layout. A fragment might look like @example \geometry@{width=540.602362pt,headheight=2mm, ... \renewcommand@{\@@oddfoot@}@{\parbox@{\textwidth@}@{\mbox@{@} ... \begin@{document@} \lilypondtitle@{foo@}% \makelilytitle \input@{ly2dvi.tex@} @end example @file{ly2dvi} runs it through LaTeX. LaTeX is a text-formatting system built on top of @TeX{}. It's very popular in the academic world. If LaTeX is successful, this will produce a @file{.dvi} file, containing both the titling and notes. @code{ly2dvi} completes its task by deleting the two temporary files, leaving only @file{layout.dvi}. Next, now we'll look at the examples line by line to explain new things. @example \version "1.3.124"; @end example Lilypond and its language are still under development, and occasionally, details of the syntax are changed. This fragment indicates for which version the input file was written. When you compile this file, the version number will be checked, and you will get a warning when the file is too old. This version number is also used by the @code{convert-ly} program (See @ref{convert-ly}), which uses it update the file to the latest lily version. @example \header @{ title = "Two miniatures"; @} @end example This sets the titling information for the entire file. @example #(set! point-and-click #t) @end example This is Scheme code. It sets the variable @code{point-and-click} to the value @var{true}. Editing input files can be quite complicated if you're working with large files: if you're digitizing existing music, you have to synchronize the .ly file, the sheet music on your lap and the sheet music on the screen. The point-and-click mechanism makes it easy to find the origin of an error in the .ly file: @footnote{This feature is presently only available on X-windows using patched versions of Xdvi and emacs} when you view the file with Xdvi and click on a note using control-right button, [checkme], you editor will jump to the spot where that note was entered. More information is in in @ref{Point and click} @example \paper @{ @end example The @code{\score} blocks that follow in the file don't have @code{\paper} sections, so the settings of this block are substituted: A paper block, at top-level, i.e. not in a @code{\score} block sets the default page layout. @example linewidth = -1.0; @} @end example The variable @code{linewidth} normally sets the length of the systems on the page. However, a negative value has a special meaning. If @code{linewidth} is less than 0, no line breaks are inserted into the score, and the spacing is set to natural length: a short phrase takes up little space, a longer phrase more space. @example \score @{ \notes @{ c'4 d'4 @} @end example In previous examples, notes were specified in relative octaves, i.e. each note was put in the octave that would put it closest to its predecessor. Besides relative, there is also absolute octave specification, and it is turned on by default. In this input mode, the central C is denoted by @code{c'}. Going down, you get @code{c} @code{c,} @code{c,,} etc. Going up, you get @code{c''} @code{c'''} etc. When you're copying music from existing sheet music, relative octaves are probably the easiest to use: it's less typing work and errors are easily spotted. However, if you write LilyPond input, either by hand (ie. composing) or by computer, absolute octaves are probably less work. @example \header @{ @end example The @code{\header} is normally at the top of the file, where it sets values for the rest of the file. If you want to typeset different pieces from one file (for example, if there are multiple movements, or if you're making a etude-book), you can put different @code{\score} blocks into the input file. ly2dvi will assemble all LilyPond output files into a big document. The contents of \header blocks specified within each score, are used for the titling of each movement. @example opus = "Opus 1."; piece = "Up"; @} @end example For example, the Opus number is put at the right, and the piece string will be at the left. @node Piano music @section Piano music Our third subject is a piece of piano music. The fragment in the input file is a piano reduction of the G major Sinfonia by Giovanni Battista Sammartini. It was composed around 1740. It's in the source package under the name @file{sammartini.ly}. @lilypond[verbatim] \include "paper16.ly"; stemdown = \property Voice.Stem \override #'direction = #-1 stemup = \property Voice.Stem \override #'direction = #1 stemboth = \property Voice.Stem \revert #'direction viola = \notes \relative c' \context Voice = viola { \stemdown g'8. b,16 s1 s2. r4 g } oboes = \notes \relative c'' \context Voice = oboe { \stemup s4 g8. b,16 c8 r \grace \times 2/3 { } < { \times 2/3 { a8 g c } \! c2 } \context Voice = oboeTwo { \stemdown \grace { \property Grace.Stem \override #'direction = #-1 [f,16 g] } f8 e e2 } > \stemboth \grace <)b8. d8.-\trill> | [ < )f8. a>] <)b,8 d> r [ ] r | [ < )e8. g>] } hoomPah = \repeat unfold 8 \notes \transpose c' { c8 \stemdown c'8 \stemup } bassvoices = \notes \relative c' { c4 g8. b,16 \autochange Staff \hoomPah \translator Staff = down \stemdown [c8 c'8] r4 r4 < {\stemup r2 } \context Voice = reallyLow {\stemdown g2 ~ | g4 c8 } > } \score { \context PianoStaff \notes < \context Staff = up < \time 2/2; \viola \oboes > \context Staff = down < \time 2/2; \clef bass; \bassvoices > > \midi { } \paper { indent = 0.0; linewidth = 15.0 \cm; } } @end lilypond If it looks like incomprehensible gibberish to you, then you are right. This example has been doctored to have as many quirks as possible. @example stemdown = \property Voice.Stem \override #'direction = #-1 @end example As you can see, this example features more voices on one staff. To make room for those voices, their notes have to be stemmed in opposite directions. These are the commands to make that happen. The symbols that are printed, are internally represented by so-called Graphical Objects (or more colloquially: Grobs). These statements concern the grob called `Stem'. Each grob is described by a bunch of settings. These setting determine the fonts, offsets, sub-routines to be called on the grob, etc. The initial values of these settings are set in the Scheme file @file{scm/grob-description.scm}. This statement adds a the setting for all Stem grobs in the current Voice: @code{direction} is set to @code{-1}, which encodes down. The setting remains in effect until it is reverted. @example \property Voice.Stem \revert #'direction @end example This statement reverts the old setting. If you do this, the effect of a @code{\stemdown} or @code{\stemup} is neutralised. @code{\override} and @code{\revert} function like a stack: you can push values onto the grob-setting-stack with @code{\override} and you pop them with @code{\revert}. LilyPond includes the identifiers @code{\stemUp}, @code{\stemDown} along with some more often used formatting instructions, but to explain how it works, we wrote our own here. Of course, you should use predefined identifiers like these if possible: then you will be affected less by the implementation changes we occasionally make. @example viola = \notes \relative c' \context Voice = viola @{ @end example In this example, you can see multiple parts on a staff. Each part is associated with one notation context. This notation context handles stems and dynamics (among others). The name of this context is @code{Voice}. For each part we have to make sure that there is precisely one @code{Voice} context, so we give it an unique name (`@code{viola}'). @example @end example The delimiters @code{<} and @code{>} are shorthands for @code{\simultaneous @{} and @code{@}}. The expression enclosed in @code{<} and @code{>} is a chord. @cindex dynamics @cindex loudness @cindex forte @cindex arpeggio @code{\f} places a forte symbol under the chord. The forte applies to the whole chord, but the syntax requires that commands like forte and arpeggio are attached to a note, so here we attach them to the first note. @code{\arpeggio} draws an vertical wavy line before the chord, signifying an arpeggio. @example \stemdown @end example @example g'8. b,16 @end example Relative octaves work a little differently with chords. The starting point for the note following a chord is the first note of the chord. So the @code{g} gets an octave up quote: it is a fifth above the starting note of the previous chord (the central C). @example s1 s2. r4 @end example @code{s} is a spacer rest. It does not print anything, but it does have the duration of a rest. It is useful for filling up voices that temporarily don't play. In this case, the viola doesn't come until one and a half measure later. @example oboes = \notes \relative c'' \context Voice = oboe @{ @end example Now comes a part for two oboes. They play homophonically, so we print the notes as one voice that makes chords. Again, we insure that these notes are indeed processed by precisely one context with @code{\context}. @example \stemup s4 g8. b,16 c8 r @end example @code{\stemup} is a reference to the @code{\property \override} command defined above. . @example \grace < d4 f> @end example @cindex @code{\grace} @cindex ornaments @cindex grace notes @code{\grace} introduces grace notes. It takes one argument, in this case a chord. @ignore The slur started on the @code{e} of the chord will be attached to the next note.@footnote{LilyPond will squirm about unended Slurs. In this case, you can ignore the warning}. @end ignore @example \times 2/3 @end example @cindex tuplet @cindex triplets Tuplets are made with the @code{\times} keyword. It takes two arguments: a fraction and a piece of music. The duration of the piece of music is multiplied by the fraction. Triplets make notes occupy 2/3 of their notated duration, so in this case the fraction is 2/3. @example @{ @} @end example The piece of music to be `tripletted' is sequential music containing three notes. On the first chord, a crescendo is started with @code{\<}. To be precise, the crescendo start is syntactically attached to the preceding note, the @code{d}. @cindex dynamics @cindex crescendo @cindex @code{\<} @example < @end example At this point, the homophonic music splits into two rhythmically different parts. We can't use a sequence of chords to enter this, so we make a `chord' of sequences to do it. We start with the upper voice, which continues with upward stems: @example @{ \times 2/3 @{ a8 g c @} \! c2 @} @end example @cindex @code{\!} The crescendo is ended at the half note by the escaped exclamation mark @code{\!}. @example \context Voice = oboeTwo @{ \stemDown @end example We can't share stems with the other voice, so we have to create a new @code{Voice} context. We give it the name @code{oboeTwo} to distinguish it from the other context. Stems go down in this voice. @example \grace @{ @end example @cindex Grace context When a grace section is processed, a @code{Grace} context is created. This context acts like a miniature score of its own. It has its own time bookkeeping, and you can make notes, beams, slurs etc. Here we fiddle with a property and make a beam. The argument of @code{\grace} is sequential music. @example \property Grace.Stem \override #'direction = #-1 [f,16 g] @} @end example Normally, grace notes are always stem up, but in this case, the upper voice interferes. We set the stems down here. As far as relative mode is concerned, the previous note is the @code{c'''2} of the upper voice, so we have to go an octave down for the @code{f}. @example f8 e e2 @} > @end example This ends the two-part section. @example \stemboth \grace <)b8. d8.-\trill> | @end example @cindex trill @cindex stemboth @code{\stemBoth} ends the forced stem directions. From here, stems are positioned as if it were single part music. The bass has a little hoom-pah melody to demonstrate parts switching between staffs. Since it is repetitive, we use repeats: @example hoomPah = \repeat unfold 8 @end example @cindex unfolded @code{\repeat} This repeat print the following sequence notes eight times. @example \notes \transpose c' @{ @end example @cindex transposing @cindex relative mode and transposing Transposing can be done with @code{\transpose}. It takes two arguments; the first specifies what central C should be transposed to. The second is the to-be-transposed music. As you can see, in this case, the transposition is a no-op, as central C stay at central C. The purpose of this no-op is circumventing relative mode. Relative mode can not be used together with transposition, so @code{\relative} will leave the contents of @code{\hoomPah} alone. We can use it without having to worry about getting the motive in a wrong octave. @example bassvoices = \notes \relative c' @{ c4 g8. b,16 \autochange Staff \hoomPah @end example @cindex staff switch, automatic @cindex cross staff voice, automatic @cindex @code{\autochange} Voices can switch between staffs. The easiest way to get this, is to use @code{\autochange}. This command looks at the pitch of each note, and if necessary, will cross to the other staff. For this to work, the two staffs must be called @code{"up"} and @code{"down"}. @example \translator Staff = down @end example @cindex staff switch @cindex cross staff voice The rest of this melody must be in the lower staff, so we do a manual staff switch here. @example \context Voice = reallyLow @{\stemDown g2 ~ | g4 c8 @} > @end example @cindex tie @cindex @code{~} After skipping some lines, we see @code{~}. This mark makes ties. @example \context PianoStaff @end example A special context is needed to get cross staff beaming right. This context is called @code{PianoStaff}. @example \context Staff = bottom < \time 2/2; \clef bass; @end example The bottom staff must have a different clef. @example indent = 0.0; @end example To make some more room on the line, the first (in this case the only) line is not indented. The line still looks very cramped, but that is due to the page layout of this document. [TODO: * arpeggio, glissando, * \apply, \outputproperty, \translator @{@}, \molecule hacking. * font-size, cadenza. rhythmic staff, multi-stanza. * Orchestral: demonstrate Hara-Kiri, part combining, part extraction, scores, transposition, instrument names, ] @node end of tutorial @section The end That's all folks. From here, you can either try fiddling with input files, or you can read the reference manual.