@c -*-texinfo-*- @c ugh: because of @include, we need to fill in these nodes? @node Tutorial @chapter Tutorial @menu * Introduction:: Introduction * The first tune:: The first tune * Lyrics and chords:: Lyrics and chords * 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 document is a gentle introduction to that language, which is called Lilypond, an acronym of Music Definition 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. The examples discussed are included in the distribution, in the subdirectory @file{input/tutorial/}. It is recommended that you experiment with writing Lilypond input yourself, to get a feel for how LilyPond behaves. @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{Klavierbuechlein}. @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 Enter it (or copy it, the filename is @file{menuet.ly}), compile it with LilyPond and view the output. Details of this procedure may vary from system to system. To create the output, one would issue the command `@code{ly2dvi menuet}'. @file{ly2dvi} is a program that does the job of running LilyPond and @TeX{}, handling of titles and adjusting of page margins. If all goes well, the file @file{menuet.dvi} will be created. To view this output, issue the command `@code{xdvi menuet}'. Now that we are familiar with the procedure of producing output, 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{%@}}' @example \input "paper16.ly" @end example By default, LilyPond will use definitions for a 20 point@footnote{A point is the standard measure of length for printing. One point is 1/72.27 inch.} high staff. We want smaller output (16 point staff height), so we must import the settings for that size, which is done. @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 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. 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., notes that are to be played and printed after each other. @example \time 3/4; @end example 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 This command changes the current key 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; @code{"volta"} means that volta brackets should 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 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. 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 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 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 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}'. You can also enter an invisible rest by using the special notename `@code{s}'. @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 @emph{identifier}. @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 6 inches). @example @} @end example The last brace ends the @code{\score} block. There are two things to note here. The format contains musical concepts like pitches and durations, instead of symbols and positions: the input format tries to capture the meaning of @emph{music}, and not notation. Therefore Second, the format tries to be @emph{context-free}: a note will sound the same regardless of the current time signature, the key, etc. The purpose of LilyPond is explained informally by the term `music typesetter'. This is not a fully correct name: not only does the program print musical symbols, it also makes esthetic decisions. All symbols and their placement is @emph{generated} from a high-level musical description. In other words, LilyPond would be best described by `music compiler' or `music to notation compiler'. @node Lyrics and chords @section Lyrics and chords In this section we show how to typeset a song of unknown origin.@footnote{The author would welcome information about the origin of this song.}. @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 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 included in the output. @file{ly2dvi} uses this information to print titles above the music. @example title = "The river is flowing"; composer = "Traditional (?)"; @end example the @code{\header} block contains assignments. An assignment starts with a string. (which is unquoted, in this case). Then comes the equal sign `@code{=}'. 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 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 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 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 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 We'll put chords over the music. 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 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 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}. @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 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 default contexts 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 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 An interpretation context has variables that tune its behaviour. One of the variables is @code{noAutoBeaming}. If set and non-zero (i.e., true) LilyPond will not try to put automatic beaming on the current staff. @example \property Staff.automaticMelismata = ##t @end example Similarly, we don't want to print a syllable when there is a slur. This sets up the Staff context to signal slurs while @code{\addlyrics} is processed. @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} is 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 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. @lilypond[verbatim] \version "1.3.60"; \include "paper16.ly"; 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 = \notes \transpose c' { c8 \translator Staff = top \stemDown c'8 \translator Staff = bottom \stemUp } hoomPahHoomPah = { [\hoomPah \hoomPah] } bassvoices = \notes \relative c' { c4 g8. b,16 \repeat unfold 4 {\hoomPahHoomPah} \stemDown [c8 c'8] r4 r4 < {\stemUp r2 } \context Voice = reallyLow {\stemDown g2 ~ | g4 c8 } > } \score { \context PianoStaff \notes < \context Staff = top < \time 2/2; \viola \oboes > \context Staff = bottom < \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@dots{} Then you are right. The author has doctored this example to have as many quirks in one system as possible. @example \version "1.3.61"; @end example Lilypond and the Lilypond language is still under development, therefore it is useful to indicate the Lilypond version of the file. Lilypond will check the version number and warn you when the syntax has changed. Also, the @code{convert-ly} program will be able to update most of the syntax changes automatically. @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 Voice context. @example @end example @code{<} and @code{>} are short hands for @code{\simultaneous @{} and @code{@}}. So the expression enclosed in @code{<} and @code{>} is a chord. @code{\f} places a forte symbol under the chord. [FIXME] @example \property Voice.verticalDirection = \down @end example @code{verticalDirection} is a property of the voice context. It controls the directions of stems, articulations marks and other symbols. If @code{verticalDirection} is set to @code{\down} (identifier for the integer -1) the stems go down, @code{\up} (identifier for the integer 1) makes the stems go up. @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. @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 an identifier reference. It is shorthand for @code{\property Voice.verticalDirection = \up}. If possible, you should use predefined identifiers like these for setting properties. Your input will be less dependent upon the implementation of LilyPond. @example \grace < )d4 f> @end example @code{\grace} introduces grace notes. It takes one argument, in this case a chord. 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}. @example \times 2/3 @end example Tuplets are made with the @code{\times} keyword. It takes two arguments: a fraction and a piece of music. The duration of the second argument is multiplied by the first argument. 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 (the @code{d}), a crescendo is started with @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 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 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.verticalDirection = \down [f,16 g] @} [FIXME] @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 @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 identifiers: @example hoomPah = \notes \transpose c' @{ @end example 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. Central C is transposed to central C. The purpose of this no-op is circumventing relative mode. Relative mode can not be used in conjunction with transposition, so relative mode will leave the contents of @code{\hoomPah} alone. We can use it without having to worry about getting the motive in a wrong octave@footnote{@code{hoomPah = \relative @dots{}} would be more intuitive to use, but that would not let me plug @code{\transpose} :-).}. @example c8 \translator Staff = top \stemDown @end example We assume that the first note will be put in the lower staff. After that note we switch to the upper staff with @code{\translator}. To be precise, this @code{\translator} entry switches the current voice to a @code{Staff} named @code{top}. So we have to name the upper staff `@code{top}'. Stem directions are set to avoid interfering with the oboe voices. @example c'8 \translator Staff = bottom \stemUp @} @end example Then a note is put on the upper staff, and we switch again. We have to name the lower staff `@code{bottom}'. @example hoomPahHoomPah = @{ [\hoomPah \hoomPah] @} @end example Put two of these fragments in sequence, and beam them.@example bassvoices = \notes \relative c' @{ c4 g8. b,16 \repeat unfold 4 @{\hoomPahHoomPah @} @end example Entering the bass part is easy: the hoomPahHoomPah variable is repeated four times; @code{unfold} means that all four repetitions should be written out. @example \context Voice = reallyLow @{\stemDown g2 ~ | g4 c8 @} > @end example After skipping some lines, we see @code{~}. This mark makes ties. @example \context PianoStaff @end example For piano music, a special context is needed to get cross staff beaming right. It 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 format of this tutorial. This example shows a lot of features, but the organisation isn't perfect. For example, it would be less confusing to use a chord containing sequential music than a sequence of chords for the oboe parts. [TODO: demonstrate Hara-Kiri with scores and part extraction.] @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.