these files end with @samp{.ly}.
@menu
-* File structure (introduction)::
* File structure::
* A single music expression::
* Multiple scores in a book::
@end menu
-@node File structure (introduction)
-@subsection File structure (introduction)
-
-A basic example of a lilypond input file is
-
-@example
-\version "2.11.23"
-\score @{
- @{ @} % this is a single music expression;
- % all the music goes in here.
- \header @{ @}
- \layout @{ @}
- \midi @{ @}
-@}
-@end example
-
-@noindent
-There are many variations of this basic pattern, but this
-example serves as a useful starting place.
-
-The major part of this manual is concerned with entering various
-forms of music in LilyPond. However, many music expressions are not
-valid input on their own, for example, a @code{.ly} file containing
-only a note
-@example
-c'4
-@end example
-
-@noindent
-will result in a parsing error. Instead, music should be inside other
-expressions, which may be put in a file by themselves. Such
-expressions are called toplevel expressions; see @ref{File structure}, for
-a list of all such expressions.
-
-
@node File structure
@subsection File structure