version that you are working on. See TRANSLATION for details.
@end ignore
-@c \version "2.11.51"
+@c \version "2.11.57"
-@node Input syntax
-@chapter Input syntax
+@node General input and output
+@chapter General input and output
-This section deals with general LilyPond input syntax issues,
+This section deals with general LilyPond input and output issues,
rather than specific notation.
@menu
-* Input structure::
-* Titles and headers::
-* Working with input files::
-* Controlling output::
-* MIDI output::
+* Input structure::
+* Titles and headers::
+* Working with input files::
+* Controlling output::
+* MIDI output::
@end menu
these files end with @code{.ly}.
@menu
-* Structure of a score::
-* Multiple scores in a book::
-* File structure::
+* Structure of a score::
+* Multiple scores in a book::
+* File structure::
@end menu
toplevel scores, and combined as a single @code{\book}.
This behavior can be changed by setting the variable
@code{toplevel-score-handler} at toplevel. The default handler is
-defined in the init file @file{scm/@/lily@/.scm}.
+defined in the init file @file{../scm/@/lily@/.scm}.
@item
A @code{\book} block logically combines multiple movements
or @code{\markup} in the same example. This behavior can be
changed by setting the variable @code{toplevel-book-handler} at
toplevel. The default handler is defined in the init file
-@file{scm/@/lily@/.scm}.
+@file{../scm/@/lily@/.scm}.
@item
A compound music expression, such as
This behavior can be changed by setting the variable
@code{toplevel-music-handler} at toplevel. The default handler is
-defined in the init file @file{scm/@/lily@/.scm}.
+defined in the init file @file{../scm/@/lily@/.scm}.
@item
A markup text, a verse for example
some pieces include a lot more information.
@menu
-* Creating titles::
-* Custom titles::
-* Reference to page numbers::
-* Table of contents::
+* Creating titles::
+* Custom titles::
+* Reference to page numbers::
+* Table of contents::
@end menu
\book {
\header {
dedication = "dedicated to me"
- title = \markup \center-align { "Title first line" "Title second line,
+ title = \markup \center-column { "Title first line" "Title second line,
longer" }
subtitle = "the subtitle,"
subsubtitle = #(string-append "subsubtitle LilyPond version "
(lilypond-version))
poet = "Poet"
- composer = \markup \center-align { "composer" \small "(1847-1973)" }
+ composer = \markup \center-column { "composer" \small "(1847-1973)" }
texttranslator = "Text Translator"
meter = \markup { \teeny "m" \tiny "e" \normalsize "t" \large "e" \huge
"r" }
A more advanced option is to change the definitions of the following
variables in the @code{\paper} block. The init file
-@file{ly/titling-init.ly} lists the default layout.
+@file{../ly/titling-init.ly} lists the default layout.
@table @code
@funindex bookTitleMarkup
@seealso
-Init files: @file{ly/@/toc@/-init@/.ly}.
+Init files: @file{../ly/@/toc@/-init@/.ly}.
@predefined
@section Working with input files
@menu
-* Including LilyPond files::
-* Different editions from one source::
-* Text encoding::
-* Displaying LilyPond notation::
+* Including LilyPond files::
+* Different editions from one source::
+* Text encoding::
+* Displaying LilyPond notation::
@end menu
structure while leaving the notation untouched.
@menu
-* Using variables::
-* Using tags::
+* Using variables::
+* Using tags::
@end menu
@node Using variables
popular modern editors have UTF-8 support, for example, vim, Emacs,
jEdit, and GEdit do. All MS Windows systems later than NT use
Unicode as their native character encoding, so even Notepad can
-edit and save a file in UTF-8 format. A more functional
+edit and save a file in UTF-8 format. A more functional
alternative for Windows is BabelPad.
If a LilyPond input file containing a non-ASCII character is not
Here is an example showing Cyrillic, Hebrew and Portuguese
text:
-@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
+@lilypond[quote]
+%c No verbatim here as the code does not display correctly in PDF
% Cyrillic
bulgarian = \lyricmode {
Жълтата дюля беше щастлива, че пухът, който цъфна, замръзна като гьон.
@section Controlling output
@menu
-* Extracting fragments of music::
-* Skipping corrected music::
+* Extracting fragments of music::
+* Skipping corrected music::
@end menu
@node Extracting fragments of music
(or 14 if you do not use drums). Other staves will remain silent.
@menu
-* Creating MIDI files::
-* MIDI block::
-* MIDI instrument names::
-* Repeats in MIDI::
-* What else goes into the MIDI output?::
+* Creating MIDI files::
+* MIDI block::
+* What goes into the MIDI output?::
+* Repeats in MIDI::
+* Controlling MIDI dynamics::
+* Percussion in MIDI::
@end menu
@node Creating MIDI files
@subsection Creating MIDI files
-To create a MIDI output file from a LilyPond input file, add a @code{\midi} block
-to a score, for example,
+To create a MIDI output file from a LilyPond input file, add a
+@code{\midi} block to a score, for example,
@example
\score @{
of specifying the inital or overall MIDI tempo is described below,
see @ref{MIDI block}.
-@ignore
-@c TODO Investigate dynamicAbsoluteVolumeFunction and the two
-@c midi..Volume properties, then document properly.
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Instrument names
-The fractions can be adjusted by setting
-@code{dynamicAbsoluteVolumeFunction} in @rinternals{Voice} context.
-For each type of MIDI instrument, a volume range can be defined. This
-gives a basic equalizer control, which can enhance the quality of
-the MIDI output remarkably. The equalizer can be controlled by
-setting @code{instrumentEqualizer}, or by setting
+@cindex instrument names
+@funindex Staff.midiInstrument
+
+The MIDI instrument to be used is specified by setting the
+@code{Staff.midiInstrument} property to the instrument name.
+The name should be chosen from the list in @ref{MIDI instruments}.
@example
-\set Staff.midiMinimumVolume = #0.2
-\set Staff.midiMaximumVolume = #0.8
+\new Staff @{
+ \set Staff.midiInstrument = "glockenspiel"
+ @var{...notes...}
+@}
@end example
-@end ignore
+@example
+\new Staff \with @{midiInstrument = "cello"@} @{
+ @var{...notes...}
+@}
+@end example
+
+If the selected instrument does not exactly match an instrument from
+the list of MIDI instruments, the Grand Piano (@code{"acoustic grand"})
+instrument is used.
+
+
+@snippets
+
+@lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
+{changing-midi-output-to-one-channel-per-voice.ly}
@knownissues
output. Players that are known to work include MS Windows Media
Player and @uref{http://@/timidity@/.sourceforge@/.net/,timidity}.
-
@node MIDI block
@subsection MIDI block
@cindex MIDI block
Context definitions follow precisely the same syntax as those
within a @code{\layout} block. Translation modules for sound are
called performers. The contexts for MIDI output are defined in
-@file{ly/@/performer@/-init@/.ly},
+@file{../ly/@/performer@/-init@/.ly},
see @rlearning{Other sources of information}.
For example, to remove the effect of dynamics
from the MIDI output, insert the following lines in the
@}
@end example
-@snippets
+@node What goes into the MIDI output?
+@subsection What goes into the MIDI output?
-@lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle]
-{changing-midi-output-to-one-channel-per-voice.ly}
+@c TODO Check grace notes - timing is suspect?
-@node MIDI instrument names
-@subsection MIDI instrument names
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Supported in MIDI
-@cindex instrument names
-@funindex Staff.midiInstrument
+@cindex Pitches in MIDI
+@cindex MIDI, Pitches
+@cindex Quarter tones in MIDI
+@cindex MIDI, quarter tones
+@cindex Microtones in MIDI
+@cindex MIDI, microtones
+@cindex Chord names in MIDI
+@cindex MIDI, chord names
+@cindex Rhythms in MIDI
+@cindex MIDI, Rhythms
+@c TODO etc
-The MIDI instrument name is set by the @code{Staff.midiInstrument}
-property. The instrument name should be chosen from the list in
-@ref{MIDI instruments}.
+The following items of notation are reflected in the MIDI output:
-@example
-\set Staff.midiInstrument = "glockenspiel"
-@var{...notes...}
-@end example
+@itemize
+@item Pitches
+@item Quarter tones (See @ref{Accidentals}. Rendering needs a
+player that supports pitch bend.)
+@item Chords entered as chord names
+@item Rhythms entered as note durations, including tuplets
+@item Tremolos entered without @q{@code{:}[@var{number}]}
+@item Ties
+@item Dynamic marks
+@item Crescendi, decrescendi over multiple notes
+@item Tempo changes entered with a tempo marking
+@end itemize
-If the selected instrument does not exactly match an instrument from
-the list of MIDI instruments, the Grand Piano (@code{"acoustic grand"})
-instrument is used.
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Unsupported in MIDI
+
+@c TODO index as above
+
+The following items of notation have no effect on the MIDI output:
+
+@itemize
+@item Rhythms entered as annotations, e.g. swing
+@item Tempo changes entered as annotations with no tempo marking
+@item Staccato and other articulations and ornamentations
+@item Slurs and Phrasing slurs
+@item Crescendi, decrescendi over a single note
+@item Tremolos entered with @q{@code{:}[@var{number}]}
+@item Figured bass
+@c TODO Check Lyrics
+@item Lyrics
+@end itemize
@node Repeats in MIDI
@}
@end example
+@node Controlling MIDI dynamics
+@subsection Controlling MIDI dynamics
+
+MIDI dynamics are implemented by the Dynamic_performer which lives
+by default in the Voice context. It is possible to control the
+overall MIDI volume, the relative volume of dynamic markings and
+the relative volume of different instruments.
+
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Dynamic marks
+
+Dynamic marks are translated to a fixed fraction of the available
+MIDI volume range. The default fractions range from 0.25 for
+@notation{ppppp} to 0.95 for @notation{fffff}. The set of dynamic
+marks and the associated fractions can be seen in
+@file{../scm/midi.scm}, see @rlearning{Other sources of information}.
+This set of fractions may be changed or extended by providing a
+function which takes a dynamic mark as its argument and returns the
+required fraction, and setting
+@code{Score.dynamicAbsoluteVolumeFunction} to this function.
+
+For example, if a @notation{rinforzando} dynamic marking,
+@code{\rfz}, is required, this will not by default
+have any effect on the MIDI volume, as this dynamic marking is not
+included in the default set. Similarly, if a new dynamic marking
+has been defined with @code{make-dynamic-script} that too will not
+be included in the default set. The following example shows how the
+MIDI volume for such dynamic markings might be added. The Scheme
+function sets the fraction to 0.9 if a dynamic mark of rfz is
+found, or calls the default function otherwise.
-@node What else goes into the MIDI output?
-@subsection What else goes into the MIDI output?
+@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
+#(define (myDynamics dynamic)
+ (if (equal? dynamic "rfz")
+ 0.9
+ (default-dynamic-absolute-volume dynamic)))
-@c TODO Check grace notes - timing is suspect?
+\score {
+ \new Staff {
+ \set Staff.midiInstrument = "cello"
+ \set Score.dynamicAbsoluteVolumeFunction = #myDynamics
+ \new Voice {
+ \relative c'' {
+ a\pp b c-\rfz
+ }
+ }
+ }
+ \layout {}
+ \midi {}
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+Alternatively, if the whole table of fractions needs to be
+redefined, it would be better to use the
+@notation{default-dynamic-absolute-volume} procedure in
+@file{../scm/midi.scm} and the associated table as a model.
+The final example in this section shows how this might be done.
+
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Overall MIDI volume
+
+The minimum and maximum overall volume of MIDI dynamic markings is
+controlled by setting the properties @code{midiMinimumVolume} and
+@code{midiMaximumVolume} at the @code{Score} level. These
+properties have an effect only on dynamic marks, so if they
+are to apply from the start of the score a dynamic mark must be
+placed there. The fraction corresponding to each dynamic mark is
+modified with this formula
+
+@example
+midiMinimumVolume + (midiMaximumVolume - midiMinimumVolume) * fraction
+@end example
-@unnumberedsubsubsec Microtones
+In the following example the dynamic range of the overall MIDI
+volume is limited to the range 0.2 - 0.5.
+
+@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
+\score {
+ <<
+ \new Staff {
+ \key g \major
+ \time 2/2
+ \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"flute"
+ \new Voice \relative c''' {
+ r2 g\mp g fis ~
+ fis4 g8 fis e2 ~
+ e4 d8 cis d2
+ }
+ }
+ \new Staff {
+ \key g \major
+ \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"clarinet"
+ \new Voice \relative c'' {
+ b1\p a2. b8 a
+ g2. fis8 e
+ fis2 r
+ }
+ }
+ >>
+ \layout { }
+ \midi {
+ \context {
+ \Score
+ tempoWholesPerMinute = #(ly:make-moment 72 2)
+ midiMinimumVolume = #0.2
+ midiMaximumVolume = #0.5
+ }
+ }
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Equalizing different instruments (i)
+
+If the minimum and maximum MIDI volume properties are set in
+the @code{Staff} context the relative volumes of the MIDI
+instruments can be controlled. This gives a basic instrument
+equalizer, which can enhance the quality of the MIDI output
+remarkably.
+
+In this example the volume of the clarinet is reduced relative
+to the volume of the flute. There must be a dynamic
+mark on the first note of each instrument for this to work
+correctly.
+
+@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
+\score {
+ <<
+ \new Staff {
+ \key g \major
+ \time 2/2
+ \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"flute"
+ \set Staff.midiMinimumVolume = #0.7
+ \set Staff.midiMaximumVolume = #0.9
+ \new Voice \relative c''' {
+ r2 g\mp g fis ~
+ fis4 g8 fis e2 ~
+ e4 d8 cis d2
+ }
+ }
+ \new Staff {
+ \key g \major
+ \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"clarinet"
+ \set Staff.midiMinimumVolume = #0.3
+ \set Staff.midiMaximumVolume = #0.6
+ \new Voice \relative c'' {
+ b1\p a2. b8 a
+ g2. fis8 e
+ fis2 r
+ }
+ }
+ >>
+ \layout { }
+ \midi {
+ \context {
+ \Score
+ tempoWholesPerMinute = #(ly:make-moment 72 2)
+ }
+ }
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+@unnumberedsubsubsec Equalizing different instruments (ii)
+
+If the MIDI minimum and maximum volume properties are not set
+LilyPond will, by default, apply a small degree of equalization
+to a few instruments. The instruments and the equalization
+applied are shown in the table @notation{instrument-equalizer-alist}
+in @file{../scm/midi.scm}.
+
+This basic default equalizer can be replaced by setting
+@code{instrumentEqualizer} in the @code{Score} context to a new
+Scheme procedure which accepts a MIDI instrument name as its only
+argument and returns a pair of fractions giving the minimum and
+maximum volumes to be applied to that instrument. This replacement
+is done in the same way as shown for resetting the
+@code{dynamicAbsoluteVolumeFunction} at the start of this section.
+The default equalizer, @notation{default-instrument-equalizer}, in
+@file{../scm/midi.scm} shows how such a procedure might be written.
+
+The following example sets the relative flute and clarinet volumes
+to the same values as the previous example.
+
+@lilypond[verbatim,quote]
+#(define my-instrument-equalizer-alist '())
+
+#(set! my-instrument-equalizer-alist
+ (append
+ '(
+ ("flute" . (0.7 . 0.9))
+ ("clarinet" . (0.3 . 0.6)))
+ my-instrument-equalizer-alist))
+
+#(define (my-instrument-equalizer s)
+ (let ((entry (assoc s my-instrument-equalizer-alist)))
+ (if entry
+ (cdr entry))))
+
+\score {
+ <<
+ \new Staff {
+ \key g \major
+ \time 2/2
+ \set Score.instrumentEqualizer = #my-instrument-equalizer
+ \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"flute"
+ \new Voice \relative c''' {
+ r2 g\mp g fis ~
+ fis4 g8 fis e2 ~
+ e4 d8 cis d2
+ }
+ }
+ \new Staff {
+ \key g \major
+ \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"clarinet"
+ \new Voice \relative c'' {
+ b1\p a2. b8 a
+ g2. fis8 e
+ fis2 r
+ }
+ }
+ >>
+ \layout { }
+ \midi {
+ \context {
+ \Score
+ tempoWholesPerMinute = #(ly:make-moment 72 2)
+ }
+ }
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+@ignore
+@c Delete when satisfied this is adequately covered elsewhere -td
+
+@n ode Microtones in MIDI
+@s ubsection Microtones in MIDI
@cindex microtones in MIDI
\midi {}
}
@end lilypond
+@end ignore
-@knownissues
-@c TODO List things that have no effect
-@c TODO Check these
+@node Percussion in MIDI
+@subsection Percussion in MIDI
+
+Percussion instruments are generally notated in a @code{DrumStaff}
+context and when notated in this way they are outputted correctly
+to MIDI channel@tie{}10, but some pitched percussion instruments,
+like the xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, timpani, etc., are
+treated like @qq{normal} instruments and music for these instruments
+should be entered in a normal @code{Staff} context, not a
+@code{DrumStaff} context, to obtain the correct MIDI output.
+
+Some non-pitched percussion sounds included in the general MIDI
+standard, like melodic tom, taiko drum, synth drum, etc., cannot
+be reached via MIDI channel@tie{}10, so the notation for such
+instruments should also be entered in a normal @code{Staff}
+context, using suitable normal pitches.
-Many musically interesting effects, such as swing, articulation,
-slurring, etc., are not translated to midi. Also, figured bass,
-chords, and lyrics have no effect on MIDI.
+Many percussion instruments are not included in the general MIDI
+standard, e.g. castanets. The easiest, although unsatisfactory,
+method of producing some MIDI output when writing for such
+instruments is to substitute the nearest sound from the standard
+set.
+
+@c TODO Expand with examples, and any other issues
+
+@knownissues
+Because the general MIDI standard does not contain rim shots, the
+sidestick is used for this purpose instead.