@endpredefined
The lines of a staff belong to the @code{StaffSymbol} grob (including
-ledger lines) can be modified using @code{StaffSymbol} properties, but
+ledger lines) and can be modified using @code{StaffSymbol} properties, but
these modifications must be made before the staff is (re)started.
-The number of staff lines can be altered,
+The number of staff lines can be altered:
@lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
f4 d \stopStaff
\startStaff g, e |
@end lilypond
-The position of each the staff lines can also be altered. The values
-used are @emph{half} staff line spaces and the new position is relative
-to the normal center line. A single staff line is printed for every
-value entered so that the number of staff lines, as well as their
-position in the staff, can be changed with a single override.
+The position of each staff line can also be altered. A list of
+numbers sets each line's position. @code{0}@tie{}corresponds to the normal
+center line, and the normal line positions are
+@code{(-4@tie{}-2@tie{}0@tie{}2@tie{}4)}. A single staff line is
+printed for every value entered so that the number of staff lines, as
+well as their position, can be changed with a single override.
@lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
f4 d \stopStaff
\startStaff g, e
@end lilypond
-The clef position and the position of middle C may need to be adjusted
-accordingly to fit the new lines. See @ref{Clef}.
+To preserve typical stem directions (in the bottom half of the staff
+stems point up, in the top half they point down), align the center
+line (or space) of the customized staff with the position of the
+normal center line (0). The clef position and the position of
+middle@tie{}C may need to be adjusted accordingly to fit the new
+lines. See @ref{Clef}.
Staff line thickness can be altered. Ledger lines and note stems, by
default, are also affected.
Ledger lines can also be made to appear inside the staff where custom
staff lines are required. The example shows the default position of
ledger lines when the explicit @code{ledger-position} is and is not set.
-The @code{stopStaff} is needed in the example to revert the
+The @code{\stopStaff} is needed in the example to revert the
@code{\override} for the whole @code{StaffSymbol}.
-@lilypond[fragment,quote,relative=1]
-\override Staff.StaffSymbol.line-positions = #'(-8 0 2 4)
+@lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1]
+\override Staff.StaffSymbol.line-positions = #'(-8 0 2 4)
d4 e f g
\stopStaff
\startStaff
only a few ossia staves are needed.
@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
-\new Staff = main \relative c'' {
+\new Staff = "main" \relative c'' {
c4 b d c
<<
{ c4 b d c }
@lilypond[verbatim,quote,ragged-right]
<<
- \new Staff = ossia \with {
+ \new Staff = "ossia" \with {
\remove "Time_signature_engraver"
\override Clef.transparent = ##t
fontSize = #-3
c4 b c2
<<
{ e4 f e2 }
- \context Staff = ossia {
+ \context Staff = "ossia" {
\startStaff e4 g8 f e2 \stopStaff
}
>>
c4 b c2
<<
{ g4 a g2 }
- \context Staff = ossia {
+ \context Staff = "ossia" {
\startStaff g4 e8 f g2 \stopStaff
}
>>
@lilypond[verbatim,quote,ragged-right]
<<
- \new Staff = ossia \with {
+ \new Staff = "ossia" \with {
\remove "Time_signature_engraver"
\override Clef.transparent = ##t
fontSize = #-3
However, if the instrument names are longer, the instrument names in a
staff group may not be centered unless the @code{indent} and
@code{short-indent} settings are increased. For details about these
-settings, see @ref{\paper variables for shifts and indents}.
+settings, see @ref{paper variables for shifts and indents,,@code{@bs{}paper} variables for shifts and indents}.
@lilypond[verbatim,quote,ragged-right]
\relative c'' {
@seealso
Notation Reference:
-@ref{\paper variables for shifts and indents},
+@ref{paper variables for shifts and indents,,@code{@bs{}paper} variables for shifts and indents},
@ref{Modifying context plug-ins}.
Snippets: