Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
When revising a translation, copy the HEAD committish of the
- version that you are working on. See TRANSLATION for details.
+ version that you are working on. For details, see the Contributors'
+ Guide, node Updating translation committishes..
@end ignore
-@c \version "2.12.0"
+@include included/generating-output.itexi
+
+@c \version "2.19.21"
@node Tutorial
@chapter Tutorial
@menu
* Compiling a file::
* How to write input files::
+* Dealing with errors::
* How to read the manuals::
@end menu
@cindex example, first
@cindex case sensitive
+@menu
+* Producing output::
+@end menu
+
@qq{Compiling} is the term used for processing an input file in
LilyPond format to produce output file(s). Output files are
generally PDF (for printing or viewing), MIDI (for playing), and
This example shows a simple input file:
@example
+\version "@w{@version{}}"
@{
c' e' g' e'
@}
examples in the manual, see @ref{How to read the manuals}.}
In addition, LilyPond input is @strong{case sensitive}.
-@w{@code{@{ c d e @}}} is valid input; @w{@code{@{ C D E @}}} will
+@w{@samp{@{ c d e @}}} is valid input; @w{@samp{@{ C D E @}}} will
produce an error message.
@smallspace
-@subheading Producing output
+@node Producing output
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Producing output
-@c TODO: move index entries
@cindex PDF file
@cindex viewing music
@cindex text editors
-@cindex running LilyPond under MacOS X
-@cindex MacOS X, running LilyPond
-@cindex running LilyPond under Windows
-@cindex Windows, running LilyPond
-@cindex running LilyPond under Unix
-@cindex Unix, running LilyPond
The method of producing output depends on your operating system
and the program(s) you use.
There are several other text editors available with specific
support for LilyPond. For more information, see
-@rweb{Alternate input}.
+@rweb{Easier editing}.
@warning{The first time you ever run LilyPond, it may take a
minute or two because all of the system fonts have to be analyzed
@node MacOS X
@subsection MacOS X
-@warning{These instructions assume that you are using the LilyPond
-application. If you are using any of the programs described in
-@rweb{Alternate input}, please consult the documentation for
-those programs if you have any problems.}
-
-
-@subsubheading Step 1. Create your @file{.ly} file
-
-Double click the @command{LilyPond.app}, an example file will open.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Macos_welcome,,,}
-
-From the menus along the top left of your screen, select
-@w{@code{File > Save}}.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Macos_Save_menu,,,}
-
-Choose a name for your file, for example @file{test.ly}.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Macos_Save_file_with_name,,,}
-
-
-@subsubheading Step 2. Compile (with LilyPad)
-
-From the same menus, select
-@w{@code{Compile > Tyepset}}.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Macos_Typeset_menu,,,}
-
-A new window will open showing a progress log of the compilation
-of the file you have just saved.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Macos_Compiling_log,,,}
-
-
-@subsubheading Step 3. View output
-
-Once the compilation has finished, a PDF file will be created with
-the same name as the original file and will be automatically
-opened in the default PDF viewer and displayed on your screen.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Macos_pdf_output,,,}
-
-
-@subsubheading Other commands
-
-To create new files for LilyPond, begin by selecting
-@w{@code{File > New}}
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Macos_New_menu,,,}
-
-or @w{@code{File > Open}} to open and edit existing files you have
-saved previously.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Macos_Open_menu,,,}
-
-You must save any new edits you make to your file before you
-@w{@code{Compile > Tyepset}} and if the PDF file is not displayed
-check the window with the progress log for any errors.
+@cindex running LilyPond under MacOS X
+@cindex MacOS X, running LilyPond
-If you are not using the defualt Preview PDF viewer that comes
-with the Mac Operating system and you have the PDF file generated
-from a previous compilation open, then any further compilations
-may fail to generate an update PDF until you close the original.
+@lilypadOSX
@node Windows
@subsection Windows
-@warning{These instructions assume that you are using the built-in
-LilyPad editor. If you are using any of the programs described in
-@rweb{Alternate input}, please consult the documentation for
-those programs if you have any problems compiling a file.}
-
-
-@subsubheading Step 1. Create your @file{.ly} file
-
-Double-click the @command{LilyPond.app}, an example file will open.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Win7_Welcome_File_Whole,,,}
-
-From the menus that appear alonbg the top of the example file,
-select @w{@code{File > Save as}}. Do not use the @w{@code{File > Save}}
-for the example file as this will not work until you have given it a
-valid Lilypong file name.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Win7_Save_Menu,,,}
-
-Choose a name for your file, for example @file{test.ly}.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Win7_Save_File_With_Name,,,}
-
-
-@subsubheading Step 2a. Compile (with drag-and-drop)
-
-Depending on what you prefer, to compile your file either:
-
-Drag-and-drop the file directly onto the LilyPond icon.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Win7_Open_Dragndrop,,,}
-
-Right-click on the file and from the pop-up context menu choose
-@w{@code{Open with > LilyPond}}.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Win7_Open_Context_Menu,,,}
-
-
-@subsubheading Step 2b. Compile (with double-clicking)
-
-Or simply double-click the @file{test.ly}.
-
-
-@subsubheading Step 3. View output
-
-During the compilation of the @file{test.ly} file, a command window
-will, very briefly open and then close. Three additional files will
-have been created during this process.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Win7_All_Files_Created,,,}
-
-The PDF file contains the engraved @file{test.ly} file.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Win7_Pdf_Output,,,}
-
-
-@subsubheading Other commands
-
-To create a new file, begin by selecting @w{@code{File > New}} from
-within any previously created file.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Win7_New_Menu,,,}
-
-@noindent
-or @w{@code{File > Open}} to open and edit any files you have saved
-before.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Win7_Open_Menu,,,}
-
-You must save any new edits you make before you compile it and if the
-PDF file is not created, check the log file that will have been created
-during the compilation attempt, for any errors.
-
-@sourceimage{Learning_Win7_Log_File,,,}
-
-This log file is overwritten each time you compile your LilyPond file.
-
-The PS file is used internally by LilyPond to create the PDF file and
-can be ignored. It also gets overwritten each time you compile your
-file.
+@cindex running LilyPond under Windows
+@cindex Windows, running LilyPond
-If you are viewing your file in a PDF viewer, then you must close the
-PDF if you wish to make a new compilation as it may fail to create
-the new PDF while it is still being viewed.
+@lilypadWindows
@node Command-line
@subsection Command-line
-@warning{These instructions assume that you are familiar with
-command-line programs. If you are using any of the programs
-described in @rweb{Alternate input}, please consult the
-documentation for those programs if you have any problems
-compiling a file.}
-
-
-@subsubheading Step 1. Create your @file{.ly} file
-
-Create a text file called @file{test.ly} and enter:
-
-@example
-@{
- c' e' g' e'
-@}
-@end example
-
-
-@subsubheading Step 2. Compile (with command-line)
-
-To process @file{test.ly}, proceed as follows:
-
-@example
-lilypond test.ly
-@end example
-
-@noindent
-You will see something resembling:
-
-@example
-lilypond test.ly
-GNU LilyPond @version{}
-Processing `test.ly'
-Parsing...
-Interpreting music...
-Preprocessing graphical objects...
-Finding the ideal number of pages...
-Fitting music on 1 page...
-Drawing systems...
-Layout output to `test.ps'...
-Converting to `test.pdf'...
-@end example
-
-@subsubheading Step 3. View output
-
-You may view or print the resulting @file{text.pdf}.
+@cindex running LilyPond under Unix
+@cindex Unix, running LilyPond
+@lilypadCommandLine
@node How to write input files
@section How to write input files
@cindex simple notation
@cindex notation, simple
+@menu
+* Pitches::
+* Durations (rhythms)::
+* Rests::
+* Time signature::
+* Tempo marks::
+* Clef::
+* All together::
+@end menu
+
LilyPond will add some notation elements automatically. In the
next example, we have only specified four pitches, but LilyPond
has added a clef, time signature, and rhythms.
values are useful.
-@subheading Pitches
+@node Pitches
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Pitches
@cindex pitches
@cindex relative mode
@cindex relative mode, and accidentals
@funindex \relative
-@funindex relative
@funindex '
@funindex ,
@rglos{scale}, @rglos{middle C}, @rglos{octave},
@rglos{accidental}.
+LilyPond uses lower-case letters for pitches. The letters
+@code{c} through@tie{}@code{b} denote pitches in the
+@q{small octave} below @notation{middle C}. Added @code{'}
+or@tie{}@code{,} suffixes indicate higher or lower octaves.
+Here is a scale starting on @notation{middle C}, and an arpeggio:
+
+@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
+{ c' d' e' f' g' a' b' c'' g c' e' g' c'' e'' g'' c''' }
+@end lilypond
+
The easiest way to enter notes is by using @code{\relative} mode.
In this mode, the octave is chosen automatically by assuming the
following note is always to be placed closest to the previous
is within just one staff space of the previous note.
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-% set the starting point to middle C
-\relative c' {
- c d e f
+\relative {
+ c' d e f
g a b c
}
@end lilypond
-The initial note is @notation{middle C}. Each successive note is
+The initial note is @notation{middle C}, denoted by @code{c'}.
+Each successive note is
placed closest to the previous note -- in other words, the first
@code{c} is the closest C to middle C. This is followed by the
closest D to the previous note. We can create melodies which have
larger intervals, still using only @code{\relative} mode:
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-\relative c' {
- d f a g
+\relative {
+ d' f a g
c b f d
}
@end lilypond
@noindent
-It is not necessary for the first note of the melody to start on
-the note which specifies the starting pitch. In the previous
-example, the first note -- the @code{d} -- is the closest D to
-middle C.
+In the previous example, the first note -- the @code{d'} with one
+@code{'}-mark -- is the D in the octave starting from middle C
+and going up to B.
By adding (or removing) quotes @code{'} or commas @code{,} from
-the @code{@w{\relative c' @{}} command, we can change the starting
-octave:
+the first note, we can change the starting octave:
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-% one octave above middle C
-\relative c'' {
- e c a c
+\relative {
+ e'' c a c
}
@end lilypond
above the B, and an A, G or F will be assumed to be below.
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-\relative c'' {
- b c % c is 1 staff space up, so is the c above
+\relative {
+ b' c % c is 1 staff space up, so is the c above
b d % d is 2 up or 5 down, so is the d above
b e % e is 3 up or 4 down, so is the e above
b a % a is 6 up or 1 down, so is the a below
comma @code{,} to the note name.
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-\relative c'' {
- a a, c' f,
+\relative {
+ a' a, c' f,
g g'' a,, f'
}
@end lilypond
@noindent
To change a note by two (or more!) octaves, we use multiple
@code{''} or @code{,,} -- but be careful that you use two single
-quotes @code{''} and not one double quote @code{"}@tie{}! The
-initial value in @code{@w{\relative c'}} may also be modified like
-this.
+quotes @code{''} and not one double quote @code{"}@tie{}!
@c " - keeps quotes in order for context-sensitive editor -td
-@subheading Durations (rhythms)
+@node Durations (rhythms)
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Durations (rhythms)
@cindex note durations
@cindex durations
If you do not specify a duration, the previous duration is used
for the next note. The duration of the first note defaults to a
-quarter.
+quarter note.
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-\relative c'' {
- a1
+\relative {
+ a'1
a2 a4 a8 a
a16 a a a a32 a a a a64 a a a a a a a a2
}
explicitly (i.e., with a number).
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-\relative c'' {
- a a a4. a8
+\relative {
+ a'4 a a4. a8
a8. a16 a a8. a8 a4.
}
@end lilypond
-
-@subheading Rests
+@node Rests
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Rests
@cindex rest
@cindex notating rests
@code{r}@tie{}:
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-\relative c'' {
- a r r2
+\relative {
+ a'4 r r2
r8 a r4 r4. r8
}
@end lilypond
-@subheading Time signature
+@node Time signature
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Time signature
@cindex time signature
@funindex \time
-@funindex time
Music Glossary: @rglos{time signature}.
command:
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-\relative c'' {
+\relative {
\time 3/4
- a4 a a
+ a'4 a a
\time 6/8
a4. a
\time 4/4
}
@end lilypond
+@node Tempo marks
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Tempo marks
+
+@cindex tempo marks
+@cindex metronome marks
+
+@funindex \tempo
-@subheading Clef
+Music Glossary: @rglos{tempo indication}, @rglos{metronome}.
+
+The @notation{tempo indication} and @notation{metronome mark} can be
+set with the @code{\tempo} command:
+
+@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
+\relative {
+ \time 3/4
+ \tempo "Andante"
+ a'4 a a
+ \time 6/8
+ \tempo 4. = 96
+ a4. a
+ \time 4/4
+ \tempo "Presto" 4 = 120
+ a4 a a a
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+
+@node Clef
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Clef
@cindex clef
@cindex treble
@cindex bass
@funindex \clef
-@funindex clef
Music Glossary: @rglos{clef}.
The @notation{clef} can be set using the @code{\clef} command:
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-\relative c' {
- \clef treble
- c1
- \clef alto
+\relative {
+ \clef "treble"
+ c'1
+ \clef "alto"
c1
- \clef tenor
+ \clef "tenor"
c1
- \clef bass
+ \clef "bass"
c1
}
@end lilypond
-@subheading All together
+@node All together
+@unnumberedsubsubsec All together
Here is a small example showing all these elements together:
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-\relative c, {
+\relative {
+ \clef "bass"
\time 3/4
- \clef bass
- c2 e8 c' g'2.
- f4 e d c4 c, r4
+ \tempo "Andante" 4 = 120
+ c,2 e8 c'
+ g'2.
+ f4 e d
+ c4 c, r
}
@end lilypond
@cindex case sensitive
@cindex whitespace insensitive
@cindex expressions
+@cindex versioning
+@cindex version
+@cindex version number
+@funindex \version
@funindex { ... }
@funindex %
@funindex %@{ ... %@}
LilyPond input files are similar to source files in many common
-programming languages. They are case sensitive, and white-space
-is generally ignored. Expressions are formed with curly braces
-@{ @}, and comments are denoted with @code{%} or
-@w{@code{%@{ ... %@}}}.
+programming languages. They contain a version statement, are case
+sensitive, and white-space is generally ignored. Expressions are
+formed with curly braces @w{@code{@{ @}}}, and comments are
+denoted with @code{%} or @w{@code{%@{ @dots{} %@}}}@tie{}.
If the previous sentences sound like nonsense, don't worry! We'll
explain what all these terms mean:
@itemize
+@item
+@strong{Version statement}:
+Every LilyPond file should contain a version statement. A version
+statement is a line that describes the version of LilyPond for which
+the file was written, as in the following example:
+
+@example
+\version "@w{@version{}}"
+@end example
+
+By convention, the version statement is placed at the top of the
+LilyPond file.
+
+The version statement is important for at least two reasons. First,
+it allows automatic updating of the input file as LilyPond syntax
+changes. Second, it describes the version of LilyPond needed to
+compile the file.
+
+If the version statement is omitted from an input file, LilyPond will print
+a warning during the compilation of the file.
+
@item
@strong{Case sensitive}:
it matters whether you enter a letter in lower case (e.g.
-@w{@code{a, b, s, t}}) or upper case (e.g. @w{@code{A, B, S, T}}).
-Notes are lower case: @w{@code{@{ c d e @}}} is valid input;
-@w{@code{@{ C D E @}}} will produce an error message.
+@w{@code{a, b, s, t}}) or upper case (e.g. @w{@code{A, B, S, T}}).
+Notes are lower case: @w{@samp{@{ c d e @}}} is valid input;
+@w{@samp{@{ C D E @}}} will produce an error message.
@item
@strong{Whitespace insensitive}:
it does not matter how many spaces (or tabs or new lines) you add.
-@w{@code{@{ c d e @}}} means the same thing as
-@w{@code{@{ c @tie{}} @tie{} @tie{} d e @}} and:
+@w{@samp{@{ c4 d e @}}} means the same thing as
+@w{@samp{@{ c4 @tie{} @tie{} @tie{} d e @}}} and:
@example
-@{ c d
+@{ c4 d
e @}
@end example
@noindent
Of course, the previous example is hard to read. A good rule of
-thumb is to indent code blocks with either a tab or two spaces:
+thumb is to indent code blocks with two spaces:
@example
@{
- c d e
+ c4 d e
@}
@end example
-However, whitespace @emph{is} required to separate many syntactical
-elements from others. In other words, whitespace can always be
-@emph{added}, but it cannot be @emph{eliminated}. As missing
-whitespace can give rise to strange errors it is advisable to
-always insert whitespace before and after every syntactic element,
-for example, before and after every curly brace.
+However, whitespace @emph{is} required to separate many
+syntactical elements from others. In other words, whitespace can
+always be @emph{added}, but not always @emph{eliminated}. Since
+missing whitespace can give rise to strange errors, it is
+advisable to always insert whitespace before and after every
+syntactic element, for example, before and after every curly
+brace.
@item
@strong{Expressions}:
-every piece of LilyPond input needs to have @strong{@{ curly
-braces @}} placed around the input. These braces tell LilyPond
-that the input is a single music expression, just like parentheses
-@code{()} in mathematics. The braces should be surrounded by a
-space unless they are at the beginning or end of a line to avoid
-ambiguities.
+every piece of LilyPond input needs to have
+@strong{@{@tie{}curly@tie{}braces@tie{}@}} placed around the
+input. These braces tell LilyPond that the input is a single
+music expression, just like parentheses @code{()} in mathematics.
+The braces should be surrounded by a space unless they are at the
+beginning or end of a line to avoid ambiguities.
A LilyPond command followed by a simple expression in braces (such
-as @w{@code{\relative @{ @}}}) also counts as a single music
-expression.
+as @q{@w{@code{@bs{}relative @{ @dots{} @}}}}) also counts as a
+single music expression.
@cindex comments
@cindex line comment
This line, and the notes below are ignored,
since they are in a block comment.
- f f e e d d c2
+ f4 f e e d d c2
%@}
@end example
@end itemize
+@node Dealing with errors
+@section Dealing with errors
+
+@cindex troubleshooting
+
+Sometimes LilyPond doesn't produce the output you expect. This
+section provides some links to help you solve the problems you
+might encounter.
+
+
+@menu
+* General troubleshooting tips::
+* Some common errors::
+@end menu
+
+@node General troubleshooting tips
+@subsection General troubleshooting tips
+
+Troubleshooting LilyPond problems can be challenging for
+people who are used to a graphical interface, because invalid
+input files can be created. When this happens, a logical approach
+is the best way to identify and solve the problem. Some guidelines
+to help you learn to do this are provided in @rprogram{Troubleshooting}.
+
+
+@node Some common errors
+@subsection Some common errors
+
+@cindex common errors
+@cindex errors, common
+
+There are a few common errors that are difficult to troubleshoot
+based simply on the error messages that are displayed. These are
+described in @rprogram{Common errors}.
+
+
+
@node How to read the manuals
@section How to read the manuals
online version.
@menu
-* Omitting braces::
+* Omitted material::
* Clickable examples::
-* Keyboard navigation::
* Overview of manuals::
@end menu
-@node Omitting braces
-@subsection Omitting braces
+@node Omitted material
+@subsection Omitted material
@cindex how to read the manual
@cindex constructing files, tips
@cindex files, tips for constructing
-LilyPond input must be surrounded by @{ @} marks or a
-@code{@w{\relative c'' @{ ... @}}}, as we saw in @ref{Working on
-input files}. For the rest of this manual, most examples will
-omit this. To replicate the examples, you may copy and paste the
-displayed input, but you @strong{must} add the
-@code{@w{\relative c'' @{ @}}} like this:
+LilyPond input must be surrounded by @code{@{ @}} marks or a
+@q{@w{@code{@bs{}relative @{ @dots{} @}}}}, as we saw in
+@ref{Working on input files}. For the rest of this manual,
+some short examples will omit this. To replicate these examples,
+you can copy displayed input, but paste it between @code{@{}
+and @code{@}} in your input file.
@example
-\relative c'' @{
- ... example goes here...
+@{
+ @dots{}example goes here@dots{}
@}
@end example
-Why omit the braces? Most examples in this manual can be inserted
-into the middle of a longer piece of music. For these examples,
-it does not make sense to add @code{@w{\relative c'' @{ @}}} --
-you should not place a @code{\relative} inside another
-@code{\relative}! If we included @code{@w{\relative c'' @{ @}}}
-around every example, you would not be able to copy a small
-documentation example and paste it inside a longer piece of your
-own. Most people want to add material to an existing piece, so we
-format the manual this way.
-
+Also, remember that every LilyPond file should have a
+@code{\version} statement. Because the examples in the manuals
+are snippets, not files, the @code{\version} statement is omitted.
+But you should make a practice of including them in your files.
@node Clickable examples
@subsection Clickable examples
-@warning{This features is only available in the HTML manuals.}
+@warning{This feature is only available in the HTML manuals.}
Many people learn programs by trying and fiddling around with the
program. This is also possible with LilyPond. If you click on a
@c no verbatim here
@lilypond[quote]
-\relative c'' {
- c-\markup { \bold \huge { Click here. } }
+\relative {
+ c''4-\markup { \bold \huge { Click here. } }
}
@end lilypond
cut-&-pastable section} to the bottom of the file.
-@node Keyboard navigation
-@subsection Keyboard navigation
+@ignore
+This is item 825
+
+@n ode Keyboard navigation
+@s ubsection Keyboard navigation
@warning{This features is only available in the HTML manuals.}
@c TODO: once this is figured out, insert it here.
We are currently working on this feature.
-
+@end ignore
@node Overview of manuals
@subsection Overview of manuals
Learning manual's @ref{Tweaking output}.
@item
-@strong{Before undertaking a large project}: read Usage document's
-@rprogram{Suggestions for writing files}.
+@strong{Before undertaking a large project}: read the Usage
+document's @rprogram{Suggestions for writing files}.
@end itemize