@node Staff notation
@section Staff notation
-@lilypondfile[quote,ragged-right,line-width=16\cm,staffsize=16]
-{staff-headword.ly}
+@lilypondfile[quote]{staff-headword.ly}
-Notes, dynamic signs, rests, etc., are grouped with a set of horizontal
-lines, called a staff (plural @q{staves}). In LilyPond, these
-lines are drawn using a separate layout object called @code{staff
-symbol}.
-
-Two or more staves can be grouped vertically in a @code{GrandStaff}, a
-@code{StaffGroup}, or a @code{ChoirStaff}.
+This section explains how to influence the staff appearance,
+print scores with more than one staff, and
+how to apply specific performance marks to single staves.
@menu
* Displaying staves::
+* Modifying single staves::
* Writing parts::
@end menu
@node Displaying staves
@subsection Displaying staves
+This section shows the different possibilities to create and group
+staves into groups, which can be marked in the beginning of each
+line with either a bracket or a brace.
+
@menu
-* System start delimiters::
-* Staff symbol::
-* Hiding staves::
+* Instantiating new staves::
+* Grouping staves::
+* Deeper nested staff groups::
@end menu
-@node System start delimiters
-@subsubsection System start delimiters
+@node Instantiating new staves
+@subsubsection Instantiating new staves
+
+@cindex new staff
+@cindex staff initiation
+@cindex staff instantiation
+@cindex staff, new
+@cindex staff, single
+@cindex drum staff
+@cindex percussion staff
+@cindex Gregorian transcription staff
+@cindex rhythmic staff
+@cindex tabstaff
+@cindex tablature
+
+The lines of a staff (pl. staves) are produced by the @code{staff symbol}
+layout object. Staves are created with the @code{\new} or
+@code{\context} commands. For an explanation on these commands,
+see @ref{Creating contexts}.
+
+There are different predefined staff contexts available in Lilypond:
+
+@itemize
+@item
+The default is @code{Staff}:
+@lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
+\relative c'' {
+ \new Staff { c d e f }
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+@item
+@code{DrumStaff} creates a five line staff set up for a typical drum set.
+It uses different names for each instrument. The instrument names have to
+be set using the @code{drummode}. See @ref{Percussion staves}.
+@lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
+\new DrumStaff {
+ \drummode { cymc hh ss tomh }
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+@item
+@code{GregorianTranscriptionStaff} sets up a staff to notate modern
+Gregorian chant. It does not show bar lines.
+@lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
+\relative c'' {
+ \new GregorianTranscriptionStaff { c d e f }
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+@item
+@code{RhythmicStaff} can be used to show the rhythm of some music. The
+notes are printed on one line regardless of their pitch, but the duration
+is preserved. See @ref{Showing melody rhythms}.
+@lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
+\relative c'' {
+ \new RhythmicStaff { c d e f }
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+@item
+@code{TabStaff} creates by default a tablature with six strings in
+standard guitar tuning. See @ref{Tablatures basic}.
+@lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
+\relative c'' {
+ \new TabStaff { c d e f }
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+@end itemize
+
+@noindent
+Besides these staves there are two staff contexts specific for the notation
+of ancient music: @code{MensuralStaff} and @code{VaticanaStaff}. They are
+described in @ref{Pre-defined contexts}.
+
+Once a staff is instantiated it can be started or stopped at every point
+in the score. This is done with the commands @code{\startStaff} and
+@code{\stopStaff}. How to use it is explained in @ref{Staff symbol}.
+
+
+@seealso
+
+Music Glossary: @rglos{staff}, @rglos{staves}.
+
+Notation Reference: @ref{Percussion staves},
+@ref{Tablatures basic}, @ref{Gregorian Chant contexts}, and
+@ref{Mensural contexts}.
+
+Snippets: @lsrdir{Staff,Staff-notation}.
+
+Internals Reference: @internalsref{Staff}, @internalsref{DrumStaff},
+@internalsref{GregorianTranscriptionStaff}, @internalsref{RhythmicStaff},
+@internalsref{TabStaff}, @internalsref{MensuralStaff},
+@internalsref{VaticanaStaff}.
+
+
+
+@node Grouping staves
+@subsubsection Grouping staves
@cindex start of system
@cindex staff, multiple
+@cindex staves, multiple
+@cindex system start delimiters
@cindex bracket, vertical
@cindex brace, vertical
@cindex grand staff
+@cindex piano staff
@cindex staff group
@cindex staff, choir
+@cindex choir staff
@cindex system
-Many scores consist of more than one staff. These staves can be
-grouped in several different ways:
+LilyPond provides different types of contexts to group single staves
+together. These contexts influence in the first place the appearance
+of the system start delimiter, but they have also influence on the
+behavior of the bar lines.
+
+Each staff group context sets the property
+@code{systemStartDelimiter} to one of the values
+@code{SystemStartBar}, @code{SystemStartBrace},
+and @code{SystemStartBracket}. A fourth delimiter,
+@code{systemStartSquare}, is also available, but must be
+instantiated manually. The usage of this last delimiter is shown further
+down in the snippet section.
+
@itemize
@item
-In a @code{GrandStaff}, the group is started with a brace
-at the left, and bar lines are connected between the staves.
+If no context is specified, the default properties for the score
+will be used: the group is started with a vertical line, and the
+bar lines are not connected.
@lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
-\new GrandStaff
-\relative <<
+\relative c'' <<
\new Staff { c1 c }
\new Staff { c c }
>>
@item
In a @code{StaffGroup}, the bar lines will be drawn through
-all the staves, but the group is started with a bracket.
+all the staves, and the group is started with a bracket.
@lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
-\new StaffGroup
-\relative <<
- \new Staff { c1 c }
- \new Staff { c c }
->>
+\new StaffGroup {
+ \relative c'' <<
+ \new Staff { c1 c }
+ \new Staff { c c }
+ >>
+}
@end lilypond
@item
-In a @code{ChoirStaff}, the group is started with a
-bracket, but bar lines are not connected.
+In a @code{ChoirStaff}, the group is
+started with a bracket, but bar lines are not connected.
@lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
-\new ChoirStaff
-\relative <<
- \new Staff { c1 c }
- \new Staff { c c }
->>
+\new ChoirStaff {
+ \relative c'' <<
+ \new Staff { c1 c }
+ \new Staff { c c }
+ >>
+}
@end lilypond
@item
-If no context is specified, the default properties for the score
-will be used: the group is started with a vertical line, and the
-bar lines are not connected.
+In a @code{GrandStaff}, the group is started with a brace
+at the left, and bar lines are connected between the staves.
@lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
-\relative <<
- \new Staff { c1 c }
- \new Staff { c c }
->>
+\new GrandStaff {
+ \relative c'' <<
+ \new Staff { c1 c }
+ \new Staff { c c }
+ >>
+}
@end lilypond
+
+@item
+The @code{PianoStaff} behaves almost as the @code{GrandStaff} but is
+optimized for setting piano music.
+
+@lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
+\new PianoStaff {
+ \relative c'' <<
+ \new Staff { c1 c }
+ \new Staff { c c }
+ >>
+}
+@end lilypond
+
@end itemize
-@cindex Mensurstriche layout
-@cindex Renaissance music
+According to classic engraver rules an orchestral score consists of
+staves connected only with a single line at the beginning of the system.
+In LilyPond this is produced grouping the @code{Staff} contexts with
+@code{<< ... >>}.
-In addition to these four staff group types, other groupings can
-be produced by changing various properties. E.g., the
-@q{Mensurstriche} layout common in Renaissance music, with
-bar lines running between but not through the staves, can be
-produced from a @code{StaffGroup} or @code{GrandStaff} context if
-the bar lines are made transparent in the @code{Staff} itself, with
-the command @code{\override Staff.BarLine #'transparent = ##t}
+Each instrument family is grouped inside of a @code{StaffGroup} with a
+starting bracket. A group of same instruments or an instrument using
+more than one staff is grouped with braces in a @code{GrandStaff}.
-@cindex staff, nested
+As the context names tell, @code{PianoStaff} is used for notating
+piano music and @code{ChoirStaff} for all kind of vocal ensemble music.
-Staff groups can be nested, using the context
-@code{InnerStaffGroup} or @code{InnerChoirStaff}; see
-@c @lsr{staff,staff-brackets.ly}
-@c snippet 137
-@commonprop
+@snippets
-More complex nesting can be accomplished using the property
-@code{systemStartDelimiterHierarchy}:
+@c FIXME: not yet in master
+@c @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc]
+@c {use-square-bracket-at-the-start-of-a-staff-group.ly}
-@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
-\new StaffGroup
-\relative <<
- \set StaffGroup.systemStartDelimiterHierarchy
- = #'(SystemStartSquare (SystemStartBracket a
- (SystemStartSquare b)) d)
- \new Staff { c1 }
- \new Staff { c1 }
- \new Staff { c1 }
- \new Staff { c1 }
- \new Staff { c1 }
->>
-@end lilypond
+@lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc]
+{display-bracket-with-only-one-staff-in-a-system.ly}
-Each staff group context sets the property
-@code{systemStartDelimiter} to one of the values
-@internalsref{SystemStartBar}, @internalsref{SystemStartBrace},
-and @internalsref{SystemStartBracket}. A fourth delimiter,
-@code{systemStartSquare}, is also available, but must be
-instantiated manually
+@cindex mensurstriche layout
+@cindex renaissance music
+@cindex transcription of mensural music
+@cindex mensural music, transcription of
+
+@lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc]
+{mensurstriche-layout-bar-lines-between-the-staves.ly}
-@c FIXME: Graham will deal with this. -gp
-@c snippet 201
-To display a bracket even if there is only one staff, see
-@c @lsr{staff,display-bracket-with-only-one-staff-in-a system.ly}
@seealso
-Music Glossary: @rglos{brace}, @rglos{staff}, @rglos{staves}
+Music Glossary: @rglos{brace},
@rglos{bracket}.
Snippets: @lsrdir{Staff,Staff-notation}
Internals Reference: @internalsref{ChoirStaff},
@internalsref{GrandStaff}, @internalsref{StaffGroup},
@internalsref{SystemStartBar}, @internalsref{SystemStartBrace},
-@internalsref{SystemStartBracket},
+@internalsref{SystemStartBracket}, and @internalsref{systemStartSquare}.
+
+
+@node Deeper nested staff groups
+@subsubsection Deeper nested staff groups
+
+There are also two inner staff contexts named @code{InnerStaffGroup}
+and @code{InnerChoirStaffGroup} besides the grouping contexts mentioned
+in @ref{Grouping staves}. They behave in the same way as their simple
+counterparts, except that they are contained in another staff grouping
+context, thus producing one more bracket on top of the existing one.
+Note that @code{GrandStaff} and @code{PianoStaff} do not have any inner
+grouping contexts. They can both be inside any other staff context,
+including inner staff groups, though.
+
+Here is an example of an orchestral score using groupings and nesting
+of these groupings. Note that the instrument names are omitted from the
+source code, see @ref{Instrument names} how to set them.
+
+@cindex staff, nested
+@cindex staves, nested
+@cindex nesting of staves
+@cindex system start delimiters, nested
+@cindex nested staff brackets
+@cindex brackets, nesting of
+@cindex braces, nesting of
+@cindex inner staff group
+@cindex inner choir staff group
+
+
+@example
+\score @{ <<
+ \new StaffGroup %woodwinds
+ <<
+ \new Staff @{ c'1 d' @} %flute
+ \new InnerStaffGroup <<
+ \new Staff @{ c' d' @} %sax
+ \new Staff @{ c' d' @} %oboe
+ \new Staff @{ c' d' @} %English horn
+ >>
+ \new Staff @{ \clef bass c d @} %bassoon
+ >>
+ \new StaffGroup %the brass group
+ <<
+ \new Staff @{ c' d' @} %trumpet
+ \new Staff @{ \clef bass c d @} %trombone
+ \new GrandStaff %the horns need a GrandStaff (same instrument)
+ <<
+ \new Staff @{ c' d' @}
+ \new Staff @{ \clef bass c d @}
+ >>
+ >>
+ \new ChoirStaff %for setting vocal music
+ <<
+ \new Staff @{ c' d' @}
+ \new InnerChoirStaff <<
+ \new Staff @{ c' d' @}
+ \new Staff @{ c' d' @}
+ >>
+ \new Staff @{ c' d' @}
+ >>
+ \new PianoStaff %for the piano
+ <<
+ \new Staff @{ c' d' @}
+ \new Staff @{\clef bass c d @}
+ >>
+>> @}
+@end example
+
+@c no verbatim so instrument names are only in the music
+@lilypond[ragged-right,quote]
+\score { <<
+ \new StaffGroup %woodwinds
+ <<
+ \new Staff {\set Staff.instrumentName = "fl" c'1 d' } %flute
+ \new InnerStaffGroup <<
+ \new Staff { \set Staff.instrumentName = "sax" c' d' } %sax 1
+ \new Staff { \set Staff.instrumentName = "ob" c' d' } %sax 2
+ \new Staff { \set Staff.instrumentName = "ca" c' d' }
+ >>
+ \new Staff {\set Staff.instrumentName = "bs" \clef bass c d } %bassoon
+ >>
+ \new StaffGroup %the brass group
+ <<
+ \new Staff {\set Staff.instrumentName = "tr" c' d' } %trumpet
+ \new Staff {\set Staff.instrumentName = "tb" \clef bass c d } %trombone
+ \new GrandStaff %the horns need a GrandStaff (same instrument)
+ <<
+ \new Staff {\set Staff.instrumentName = "cor1" c' d' }
+ \new Staff {\set Staff.instrumentName = "cor2" \clef bass c d }
+ >>
+ >>
+ \new ChoirStaff %for setting vocal music
+ <<
+ \new Staff {\set Staff.instrumentName = "S" c' d' }
+ \new InnerChoirStaff <<
+ \new Staff {\set Staff.instrumentName = "A1" c' d' }
+ \new Staff {\set Staff.instrumentName = "A2" c' d' }
+ >>
+ \new Staff {\set Staff.instrumentName = "T" c' d' }
+ >>
+ \new PianoStaff %for the piano
+ <<
+ \new Staff { c' d' }
+ \new Staff {\clef bass c d }
+ >>
+>> }
+@end lilypond
+
+
+@snippets
+
+@lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc]
+{nesting-staves.ly}
+
+
+@seealso
+
+Internals Reference: @internalsref{SystemStartBar},
+@internalsref{SystemStartBrace}, @internalsref{SystemStartBracket},
@internalsref{systemStartDelimiterHierarchy}.
+
+@node Modifying single staves
+@subsection Modifying single staves
+
+@menu
+* Staff symbol::
+* Ossia staves::
+* Hiding staves::
+@end menu
+
@node Staff symbol
@subsubsection Staff symbol
@cindex adjusting staff symbol
+@cindex drawing staff symbol
+@cindex stop staff lines
+@cindex start staff lines
+@cindex staff lines, amount of
+@cindex staff line, thickness of
+@cindex amount of staff lines
+@cindex thickness of staff lines
The layout object which draws the lines of a staff is called
@code{staff symbol}. The staff symbol may be tuned in the number,
b b
@end lilypond
+@node Ossia staves
+@subsubsection Ossia staves
+
@cindex staves, Frenched
@cindex ossia
@cindex Frenched staves
@cindex thickness of staff lines, setting
@cindex number of staff lines, setting
+@snippets
+
+@c lilypondfile{Making-some-staff-lines-thicker-than-the-others.ly}
+@c snippet 277
+
@seealso
Music Glossary: @rglos{ossia}, @rglos{staff}, @rglos{Frenched staff}.
@end lilypond
-@commonprop
+@snippets
To change the tempo in the MIDI output without printing anything,
make the metronome marking invisible @example \once \override
output}.
-@refbugs
+@knownissues
Collisions are not checked. If you have notes above the top line
of the staff (or notes with articulations, slurs, text, etc), then
@cindex instrument names, centering
-If you wish to center the instrument names, you must center all of
-them individually:
+As instrument names are centered by default, multi line names
+are better entered using @code{\center-align}:
@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
{ <<
\new Staff {
- \set Staff.instrumentName = \markup {
- \center-align { "Clarinetti"
- \line { "in B" \smaller \flat } } }
+ \set Staff.instrumentName = \markup \center-align {
+ Clarinetti
+ \line { "in B" \smaller \flat }
+ }
c''1
}
\new Staff {
- \set Staff.instrumentName =
- \markup{ \center-align { Vibraphone }}
+ \set Staff.instrumentName = "Vibraphone"
c''1
}
>>
For longer instrument names, it may be useful to increase the
@code{indent} setting in the @code{\layout} block.
-To center instrument names while leaving extra space to the right,
-
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
-\new StaffGroup \relative
-<<
- \new Staff {
- \set Staff.instrumentName =
- \markup { \hcenter-in #10 "blabla" }
- c1 c1
- }
- \new Staff {
- \set Staff.instrumentName =
- \markup { \hcenter-in #10 "blo" }
- c1 c1
- }
->>
-@end lilypond
+Short instrument names, printed before the systems following the first
+one, are also centered by default, in a space which width is given by
+the @code{short-indent} variable of the @code{\layout} block.
To add instrument names to other contexts (such as
@code{GrandStaff}, @code{ChoirStaff}, or @code{StaffGroup}), the
will quote notes (but no rests), together with scripts and
dynamics.
-@refbugs
+@knownissues
Only the contents of the first @code{Voice} occurring in an
@code{\addQuote} command will be considered for quotation, so
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