LilyPond input that was used to generate that image.
Try it on this image
-@lilypond[fragment,quote,ragged-right,relative=2]
-c-\markup { \bold \huge { Click here. } }
+@c no verbatim here
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
+\relative c'' {
+ c-\markup { \bold \huge { Click here. } }
+}
@end lilypond
-By cutting and pasting everything from the @qq{Start cut-&-pastable-section}
-to the end of the file, you have a
+By cutting and pasting everything in the @qq{ly snippet} section, you have a
starting template for experiments. If you like learning in this way,
you will probably want to print out or bookmark the
@ref{Cheat sheet}, which is a table listing of the most common
@menu
* First steps::
-* Notation for one note at once FIXME name::
+* Single staff notation::
* Multiple notes at once::
* Songs::
-* Unsorted::
+* Final touches::
@end menu
@noindent
the result looks like this
+@c in this case we don't want verbatim
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
{
c' e' g' e'
@end lilypond
@strong{Warning:} Every piece of LilyPond input needs to have @strong{@{ curly
-braces @}} placed around the input. The braces should be also be
+braces @}} placed around the input. The braces should also be
surrounded by a space unless they are at the beginning or end of a
line to avoid ambiguities. These may be omitted in some examples in this
manual, but don't forget them in your own music!
@cindex Case sensitive
-In addition, LilyPond input is @strong{case sensitive}. @code{ @{ c d e @} }
-is valid input; @code{ @{ C D E @} } will produce an error message.
+In addition, LilyPond input is @strong{case sensitive}. @code{ @{c d e @}}
+is valid input; @code{@{ C D E @}} will produce an error message.
@sp 1
@subsubheading MacOS X
-If you double click LilyPond.app, it will open with an example
-file. Save it, for example, to @file{test.ly} on your Desktop, and
+If you double click @code{LilyPond.app}, it will open with an example
+file. Save it, for example, to @file{test.ly} on your Desktop, and
then process it with the menu command @samp{Compile > Typeset File}.
The resulting PDF file will be displayed on your screen.
-Be warned that the first time you ever run lilypond will take a minute
+Be warned that the first time you ever run LilyPond, it will take a minute
or two because all of the system fonts have to be analyzed first.
-For future use of LilyPond, you should begin by selecting "New"
-or "Open".
+For future use of LilyPond, you should begin by selecting @q{New}
+or @q{Open}. You must save your file before typesetting it. If any errors
+occur in processing, please see the log window.
@subsubheading Windows
-On Windows, start up a text-editor@footnote{Any simple or
-programmer-oriented editor with UTF-8 support will do, for example
-Notepad. Do not use a word processor, since these insert formatting
-codes that will confuse LilyPond.} and enter
+On Windows, if you double-click in the LilyPond icon on the Desktop, it
+will open a simple text editor with an example file. Save it, for
+example, to @file{test.ly} on your Desktop and then double-click on the
+file to process it (the file icon looks like a note). After some
+seconds, you will get a file @file{test.pdf}
+on your desktop. Double-click on this PDF file to view the typeset
+score. An alternative method to process the @file{test.ly} file
+is to drag and drop it onto the LilyPond icon using your mouse pointer.
-@verbatim
-{
- c' e' g' e'
-}
-@end verbatim
+To edit an existing @file{.ly} file, right-click on it and select
+@qq{Edit source}. To get an empty file to start from, run the editor
+as described above and use @qq{New} in the @qq{File} menu.
-Save it on the desktop as @file{test.ly} and make sure that it is not
-called @file{test.ly.TXT}. Double clicking @file{test.ly} will process
-the file and show the resulting PDF file.
+Double-clicking the file does not only result in a PDF file, but also
+produces a @file{.log} file that contains some information on what LilyPond
+has done to the file. If any errors occur, please examine this file.
+Note that there are several other text editors available, with better
+support for LilyPond, see @rprogram{Editor support}, for more information.
@subsubheading Unix
example, you could open an xterm and execute
@code{joe}@footnote{There are macro files for VIM addicts, and there
is a @code{LilyPond-mode} for Emacs addicts. If they have not been
-installed already, refer to the file @file{INSTALL.txt}. These
+installed already, refer to the file @file{INSTALL.txt}. The
easiest editing environment is @file{LilyPondTool}. See
-@ref{Editor support} for more information.}. In your
+@rprogram{Editor support}, for more information.}. In your
text editor, enter the following input and save the file as
@file{test.ly}
@noindent
The result is the file @file{test.pdf} which you can print or view
with the standard facilities of your operating system.@footnote{If
-your system does not have any tools installed, you can try
+your system does not have any such tools installed, you can try
@uref{http://@/www@/.cs@/.wisc@/.edu/@/~ghost/,Ghostscript}, a freely
available package for viewing and printing PDF and PostScript files.}
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.
-To create @rglos{dotted notes}, add a dot @samp{.} to the duration number.
+To create @rglos{dotted note}s, add a dot @samp{.} to the duration number.
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
\relative c'' {
\clef treble
c1
\clef alto
- c1
+ c1
\clef tenor
c1
\clef bass
@quotation
@table @asis
@item Entering pitches and durations
-see @ref{Pitches} and @ref{Durations}.
+see @ref{Pitches}, and @ref{Durations}.
@item Rests
see @ref{Rests}.
@item Time signatures and other timing commands
@node Working on text files
@subsection Working on text files
-LilyPond input files are treated like files in most programming languages:
-they are case sensitive, white-space insensitive, expressions are
+LilyPond input files are similar to source files in many common programming languages.
+They are case sensitive, and white-space is generally equivalent. Expressions are
formed with curly braces @{ @}, and comments are denoted with @code{%} or
-@code{%@{ .. %@}}.
+@code{%@{ ... %@}}.
If the previous sentence sounds like nonsense, don't worry! We'll explain
what all these terms mean:
@item @strong{Case sensitive}:
it matters whether you enter a letter
in lower case (i.e. @code{a, b, s, t}) or upper case (i.e.
-@code{A, B, S, T}). Notes are lower case: @code{ @{ c d e @} }
-is valid input; @code{ @{ C D E @} } will produce an error message.
+@code{A, B, S, T}). Notes are lower case: @code{@{ c d e @}}
+is valid input; @code{@{ C D E @}} will produce an error message.
@item @strong{Whitespace insensitive}:
it does not matter how many
-spaces (or new lines) you add. @code{ @{ c d e @}} means the same thing
-as @code{ @{ c @ @ @ @ @ d e @} } and
+spaces (or new lines) you add. @code{@{ c d e @}} means the same thing
+as @code{@{ c @tie{} @tie{} @tie{} d e @}} and
@example
@{
c d
be surrounded by a space unless they are at the beginning or end of a
line to avoid ambiguities.
-A function (such as @code{\relative @{ @}} ) also counts as a single
+A function (such as @code{\relative @{ @}}) also counts as a single
music expression.
@cindex comments
introduces a line comment; anything after @samp{%} on that line is
ignored. A block comment marks a whole section of music
input as a comment. Anything that is enclosed in @code{%@{} and @code{%@}} is
-ignored. The following fragment shows possible uses for comments
+ignored. (Comments do not nest.) The following fragment shows possible uses for comments
@example
% notes for twinkle twinkle follow
of your own.
-@node Notation for one note at once FIXME name
-@section Notation for one note at once FIXME name
+@node Single staff notation
+@section Single staff notation
-This section introduces common notation that is used for a single
-staff.
+This section introduces common notation that is used for one voice
+on one staff.
@menu
+* Relative note names::
* Accidentals and key signatures::
* Ties and slurs::
* Articulation and dynamics::
@end menu
+@node Relative note names
+@subsection Relative note names
+
+As we saw in @ref{Simple notation}, LilyPond calculates the pitch of
+each note relative to the previous one@footnote{There is another mode of
+entering pitches, @ref{Absolute note names}, but in practice relative
+mode is much easier and safer to use.}. If no extra octave marks
+(@code{'} and @code{,}) are added, it assumes that each pitch is within
+a fourth of the previous note.
+
+LilyPond examines pitches based on the note names -- in other words,
+an augmented fourth is @emph{not} the same as a diminished fifth. If we
+begin at a C, then an F-sharp will be placed a higher than the C, while
+a G-flat will be placed lower than the C.
+
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,fragment,relative=2]
+c2 fis
+c2 ges
+@end lilypond
+
+@moreinfo
+@quotation
+@table @asis
+@item Relative octaves
+see @ref{Relative octaves}.
+@item Octave check
+see @ref{Octave check}.
+@end table
+@end quotation
+
+
+
@node Accidentals and key signatures
@subsection Accidentals and key signatures
@subheading Warning: key signatures and pitches
To determine whether to print an accidental, LilyPond examines the
-pitches and the key signature. The key signature only effects
+pitches and the key signature. The key signature only affects
the @emph{printed} accidentals, not the actual pitches! This is a
feature that often causes confusion to newcomers, so let us explain it
in more detail.
Adding all alterations explicitly might require a little more effort
when typing, but the advantage is that transposing is easier, and
accidentals can be printed according to different conventions. See
-@ref{Automatic accidentals} for some examples how accidentals can be printed
+@ref{Automatic accidentals}, for some examples how accidentals can be printed
according to different rules.
@moreinfo
@quotation
@table @asis
@item Accidentals
-see @ref{Accidentals} and @ref{Automatic accidentals}.
+see @ref{Accidentals}, and @ref{Automatic accidentals}.
@item Key signature
see @ref{Key signature}.
@end table
@cindex phrasing slurs
@subheading Phrasing slurs
-@cindex phrasing slurs
Slurs to indicate longer phrasing can be entered with @code{\(} and
@code{\)}. You can have both legato slurs and phrasing slurs at the
same time, but you cannot have simultaneous slurs or simultaneous
@cindex staccato
@subheading Articulations
-@c FIXME: change to @rglos once the term is added (articulations)
-Common articulations can be added to a note using a dash (@samp{-}) and a
-single character:
+Common @rglos{articulation}s can be added to a note using a dash @samp{-}
+and a single character:
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,fragment,relative=2]
c-. c-- c-> c-^ c-+ c-_
@cindex partial measure
@subheading Partial measure
-@c FIXME: glossary "anacrusis".
-A pickup (or @q{anacrusis}) is entered with the keyword @code{\partial}. It
-is followed by a duration: @code{\partial 4} is a quarter note pickup
-and @code{\partial 8} an eighth note.
+A pickup (or @rglos{anacrusis}) is entered with the keyword
+@code{\partial}. It is followed by a duration: @code{\partial 4} is
+a quarter note pickup and @code{\partial 8} an eighth note.
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,fragment,relative=2]
\partial 8
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,fragment,relative=2]
\times 2/3 { f8 g a }
\times 2/3 { c r c }
-\times 2/3 { f,8 g16 a g a }
+\times 2/3 { f,8 g16[ a g a] }
\times 2/3 { d4 a8 }
@end lilypond
keyword @code{\appoggiatura} or @code{\acciaccatura}
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,fragment,relative=2]
-c2 \grace { a32 b} c2
+c2 \grace { a32[ b] } c2
c2 \appoggiatura b16 c2
c2 \acciaccatura b16 c2
@end lilypond
@end lilypond
Putting a group of music expressions (e.g. notes) in braces means that
-are in sequence (i.e. each one follows the previous one). The result
+they are in sequence (i.e. each one follows the previous one). The result
is another music expression:
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,fragment,relative=2]
This technique is useful for polyphonic music. To enter music
with more voices or more staves, we combine expressions in
-parallel. To indicate that two voices should play at the same time
-simple enter a simultaneous combination of music expressions. A
+parallel. To indicate that two voices should play at the same time,
+simply enter a simultaneous combination of music expressions. A
@q{simultaneous} music expression is formed by enclosing expressions inside
@code{<<} and @code{>>}. In the following example, three sequences (all
containing two separate notes) are combined simultaneously:
is at the beginning of a line, but indenting LilyPond code like this makes
it much easier for humans to read.
+@strong{Warning}: each note is relative to the
+previous note in the input, not relative to the @code{c''} in the
+initial @code{\relative} command.
+
+
@subheading Simultaneous music expressions: single staff
To determine the number of staves in a piece, LilyPond looks at the first
-exression. If it is a single note, there is one staff; if there is a
+expression. If it is a single note, there is one staff; if there is a
simultaneous expression, there is more than one staff.
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
sign in mathematics. The formula @math{(4+5)} is an expression, so
@math{-(4+5)} is a bigger expression.
+Time signatures entered in one staff affects all other staves, but
+the key signature of one staff does @emph{not} affect other
+staves@footnote{This behavior may be changed if desired; see
+@ref{Changing defaults}, for details.}.
+
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c'' {
+ <<
+ \new Staff { \clef treble \time 3/4 c }
+ \new Staff { \clef bass \key d \major c,, }
+ >>
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+
+
@node Piano staves
@subsection Piano staves
@end lilypond
@moreinfo
+@quotation
See @ref{Piano music}.
+@end quotation
@node Single staff polyphony
@end lilypond
@moreinfo
+@quotation
See @ref{Basic polyphony}.
+@end quotation
@node Combining notes into chords
@end lilypond
You can combine markings like beams and ties with chords. They must
-be placed outside the angled brackets
+be placed outside the angle brackets
@lilypond[quote,fragment,verbatim,relative=2,fragment]
r4 <c e g>8[ <c f a>]~ <c f a>2
* A lead sheet::
@end menu
-@c zz
@node Printing lyrics
@subsection Printing lyrics
-@cindex lyrics
-
-@c TODO: (c) status of the Queen fragment.
@cindex Lyrics
@cindex Songs
-Lyrics are entered by separating each syllable with a space
-
-@example
-I want to break free
-@end example
-
-Consider the melody
+Consider a simple melody:
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment,ragged-right]
-\relative {
- r4 c \times 2/3 { f g g }
- \times 2/3 { g4( a2) }
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c'' {
+ a4 e c8 e r4
+ b2 c4( d)
}
@end lilypond
The lyrics can be set to these notes, combining both with the
-@code{\addlyrics} keyword
+@code{\addlyrics} keyword. Lyrics are entered by separating each
+syllable with a space.
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,fragment,ragged-right]
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
<<
- \relative {
- r4 c \times 2/3 { f g g }
- \times 2/3 { g4( a2) }
+ \relative c'' {
+ a4 e c8 e r4
+ b2 c4( d)
}
- \addlyrics { I want to break free }
+ \addlyrics { One day this shall be free }
>>
@end lilypond
@cindex melisma
@cindex extender line
-@c synonyms?
This melody ends on a @rglos{melisma}, a single syllable (@q{free})
sung to more than one note. This is indicated with an @emph{extender
-line}. It is entered as two underscores, i.e.,
-
-@example
-@{ I want to break free __ @}
-@end example
+line}. It is entered as two underscores @code{__}:
-@lilypond[fragment,quote,ragged-right]
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
<<
- \relative {
- r4 c \times 2/3 { f g g }
- \times 2/3 { g4( a2) }
+ \relative c'' {
+ a4 e c8 e r4
+ b2 c4( d)
}
- \addlyrics { I want to break free __ }
+ \addlyrics { One day this shall be free __ }
>>
@end lilypond
Similarly, hyphens between words can be entered as two dashes,
resulting in a centered hyphen between two syllables
-@example
-A -- le gri -- a
-@end example
-
-@c no ragged-right here, because otherwise the hypens get lost.
-@lilypond[fragment,quote]
+@c no ragged-right here because otherwise the hypens get lost.
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim]
<<
- \relative {
+ \relative c' {
\time 2/4
- f4 f c' c
+ f4 f c c
}
- \addlyrics { A -- le gri -- a }
+ \addlyrics { A -- le -- gri -- a }
>>
@end lilypond
-More options, like putting multiple lines of lyrics below a melody are
+@moreinfo
+@quotation
+More options, such as putting multiple stanzas below a melody, are
discussed in @ref{Vocal music}.
+@end quotation
@node A lead sheet
@cindex chords
@cindex chord names
-@c TODO: revise this, \chords { } is shorter and more intuitive.
-
-In popular music, it is common to denote accompaniment with chord names.
+In popular music it is common to denote accompaniment with chord names.
Such chords can be entered like notes,
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
\chordmode { c2 f4. g8 }
@end lilypond
-@noindent
Now each pitch is read as the root of a chord instead of a note.
-This mode is switched on with @code{\chordmode}
-
-Other chords can be created by adding modifiers after a colon. The
-following example shows a few common modifiers
+This mode is switched on with @code{\chordmode}. Other chords can be
+created by adding modifiers after a colon. The
+following example shows a few common modifiers:
@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
\chordmode { c2 f4:m g4:maj7 gis1:dim7 }
line for themselves. This is achieved by using @code{\chords} instead
of @code{\chordmode}. This uses the same syntax as @code{\chordmode},
but renders the notes in a @code{ChordNames} context, with the
-following result.
+following result:
@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
\chords { c2 f4.:m g4.:maj7 gis8:dim7 }
@cindex lead sheet
When put together, chord names, lyrics and a melody form
-a lead sheet, for example,
+a lead sheet,
-@example
-<<
- \chords @{ @emph{chords} @}
- @emph{the melody}
- \addlyrics @{ @emph{the text} @}
->>
-@}
-@end example
-
-@lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
<<
- \chords { r2 c:sus4 f }
- \relative {
- r4 c' \times 2/3 { f g g }
- \times 2/3 { g4( a2) }
+ \chords { c2 g:sus4 f e }
+ \relative c'' {
+ a4 e c8 e r4
+ b2 c4( d)
}
- \addlyrics { I want to break free __ }
+ \addlyrics { One day this shall be free __ }
>>
@end lilypond
+
+@moreinfo
+@quotation
A complete list of modifiers and other options for layout can be found
in @ref{Chords}.
+@end quotation
-@node Unsorted
-@section Unsorted
+@node Final touches
+@section Final touches
+
+This is the final section of the tutorial; it demonstrates how to add the
+final touches to simple pieces, and provides an introduction to the rest
+of the manual.
@menu
+* Version number::
* Adding titles::
-* Organizing larger pieces::
-* An orchestral part::
+* Absolute note names::
+* Organizing pieces with identifiers::
* After the tutorial::
-* Octave entry::
+* How to read the manual::
@end menu
+
+@node Version number
+@subsection Version number
+
+@cindex versioning
+The @code{\version} statement marks for which version of LilyPond the file
+was written. To mark a file for version 2.10.1, place
+
+@example
+\version "2.11.23"
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+at the top of your LilyPond file.
+
+These annotations make future upgrades of LilyPond go more
+smoothly. Changes in the syntax are handled with a special program,
+@file{convert-ly} (see @rprogram{Updating files with convert-ly}), and it uses
+@code{\version} to determine what rules to apply.
+
+
@node Adding titles
@subsection Adding titles
-Bibliographic information is entered in a separate block, the
-@code{\header} block. The name of the piece, its composer, etc., are
-entered as an assignment, within @code{\header
-@{@tie{}@dots{}@tie{}@}}. The @code{\header} block is usually put at
-the top of the file. For example,
+The title, composer, opus number, and similar information are entered
+in the @code{\header} block. This exists outside of the main
+music expression; the @code{\header} block is usually placed underneath
+the @ref{Version number}.
@example
+\version "2.11.23"
\header @{
- title = "Miniature"
- composer = "Igor Stravinsky"
+ title = "Symphony"
+ composer = "Me"
+ opus = "Op. 9"
@}
-@{ @dots{} @}
+@{
+ @dots{} music @dots{}
+@}
@end example
-
When the file is processed, the title and composer are printed above
the music. More information on titling can be found in @ref{Creating
titles}.
+@node Absolute note names
+@subsection Absolute note names
+So far we have always used @code{\relative} to define pitches. This is
+the easiest way to enter most music, but another way of defining pitches
+exists: absolute mode.
-@node Organizing larger pieces
-@subsection Organizing larger pieces
-
-When all of the elements discussed earlier are combined to produce
-larger files, the @code{\score} blocks get a lot bigger because the
-music expressions are longer, and, in the case of polyphonic music,
-more deeply nested. Such large expressions can become unwieldy.
-
-By using variables, also known as identifiers, it is possible to break
-up complex music expressions. An identifier is assigned as follows
+If you omit the @code{\relative}, LilyPond treats all pitches as
+absolute values. A @code{c'} will always mean middle C, a @code{b} will
+always mean the note one step below middle C, and a @code{g,} will
+always mean the note on the bottom staff of the bass clef.
-@example
-namedMusic = @{ @dots{} @}
-@end example
-
-@noindent
-The contents of the music expression @code{namedMusic}, can be used
-later by preceding the name with a backslash, i.e., @code{\namedMusic}.
-In the next example, a two-note motive is repeated two times by using
-variable substitution
-
-@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,nofragment]
-seufzer = {
- e'4( dis'4)
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+{
+ \clef bass
+ c' b g, g,
+ g, f, f c'
}
-{ \seufzer \seufzer }
@end lilypond
-The name of an identifier should have alphabetic characters only: no
-numbers, underscores, or dashes. The assignment should be outside of
-running music.
-
-It is possible to use variables for many other types of objects in the
-input. For example,
-
-@example
-width = 4.5\cm
-name = "Wendy"
-aFivePaper = \paper @{ paperheight = 21.0 \cm @}
-@end example
+Here is a four-octave scale:
-Depending on its contents, the identifier can be used in different
-places. The following example uses the above variables
-
-@example
-\paper @{
- \aFivePaper
- line-width = \width
-@}
-@{ c4^\name @}
-@end example
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+{
+ \clef bass
+ c, d, e, f,
+ g, a, b, c
+ d e f g
+ a b c' d'
+ \clef treble
+ e' f' g' a'
+ b' c'' d'' e''
+ f'' g'' a'' b''
+ c'''1
+}
+@end lilypond
-More information on the possible uses of identifiers is given in the
-technical manual, in @ref{Input variables and Scheme}.
-@c fixme: the ref is too technical.
+As you can see, writing a melody in the treble clef involves a lot of
+quote ' marks. Consider this fragment from Mozart:
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+{
+ \key a \major
+ \time 6/8
+ cis''8. d''16 cis''8 e''4 e''8
+ b'8. cis''16 b'8 d''4 d''8
+}
+@end lilypond
-@node An orchestral part
-@subsection An orchestral part
+All these quotes makes the input less readable and it is a source of
+errors. With @code{\relative}, the previous example is much easier
+to read:
-In orchestral music, all notes are printed twice. Once in a part for
-the musicians, and once in a full score for the conductor. Identifiers can
-be used to avoid double work. The music is entered once, and stored in
-a variable. The contents of that variable is then used to generate
-both the part and the full score.
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+\relative c'' {
+ \key a \major
+ \time 6/8
+ cis8. d16 cis8 e4 e8
+ b8. cis16 b8 d4 d8
+}
+@end lilypond
-It is convenient to define the notes in a special file. For example,
-suppose that the file @file{horn-music.ly} contains the following part
-of a horn/@/bassoon duo
+If you make a mistake with an octave mark (@code{'} or @code{,}) while
+working in @code{\relative} mode, it is very obvious -- many notes will
+be in the wrong octave. When working in absolute mode, a single mistake
+will not be as visible, and will not be as easy to find.
-@example
-hornNotes = \relative c @{
- \time 2/4
- r4 f8 a cis4 f e d
-@}
-@end example
+However, absolute mode is useful for music which has large intervals, and
+is extremely useful for computer-generated LilyPond files.
-@noindent
-Then, an individual part is made by putting the following in a file
-@example
-\include "horn-music.ly"
-\header @{
- instrument = "Horn in F"
-@}
+@node Organizing pieces with identifiers
+@subsection Organizing pieces with identifiers
-@{
- \transpose f c' \hornNotes
-@}
-@end example
+When all of the elements discussed earlier are combined to produce
+larger files, the music expressions get a lot bigger. In polyphonic
+music with many staves, the input files can become very confusing. We can
+reduce this confusion by using @emph{identifiers}.
-The line
+With identifiers (also known as variables or macros), we can break up
+complex music expressions. An identifier is assigned as follows
@example
-\include "horn-music.ly"
+namedMusic = @{ @dots{} @}
@end example
-@noindent
-substitutes the contents of @file{horn-music.ly} at this position in
-the file, so @code{hornNotes} is defined afterwards. The command
-@code{\transpose f@tie{}c'} indicates that the argument, being
-@code{\hornNotes}, should be transposed by a fifth upwards. Sounding
-@samp{f} is denoted by notated @code{c'}, which corresponds with the
-tuning of a normal French Horn in@tie{}F. The transposition can be seen
-in the following output
+The contents of the music expression @code{namedMusic} can be used
+later by placing a backslash in front of the name
+(@code{\namedMusic}, just like a normal LilyPond command). Identifiers
+must be defined @emph{before} the main music expression.
-@lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
-\transpose f c' \relative c {
- \time 2/4
- r4 f8 a cis4 f e d
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+violin = \new Staff { \relative c'' {
+ a4 b c b
+}}
+cello = \new Staff { \relative c {
+ \clef bass
+ e2 d
+}}
+{
+ <<
+ \violin
+ \cello
+ >>
}
@end lilypond
-In ensemble pieces, one of the voices often does not play for many
-measures. This is denoted by a special rest, the multi-measure
-rest. It is entered with a capital @samp{R} followed by a duration
-(@code{1}@tie{}for a whole note, @code{2}@tie{}for a half note,
-etc.). By multiplying the
-duration, longer rests can be constructed. For example, this rest
-takes 3@tie{}measures in 2/4 time
-
-@example
-R2*3
-@end example
+@noindent
+The name of an identifier must have alphabetic characters only: no
+numbers, underscores, or dashes.
-When printing the part, multi-rests
-must be condensed. This is done by setting a run-time variable
+It is possible to use variables for many other types of objects in the
+input. For example,
@example
-\set Score.skipBars = ##t
+width = 4.5\cm
+name = "Wendy"
+aFivePaper = \paper @{ paperheight = 21.0 \cm @}
@end example
-@noindent
-This command sets the property @code{skipBars} in the
-@code{Score} context to true (@code{##t}). Prepending the rest and
-this option to the music above, leads to the following result
-
-@lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
-\transpose f c' \relative c {
- \time 2/4
- \set Score.skipBars = ##t
- R2*3
- r4 f8 a cis4 f e d
-}
-@end lilypond
-
-
-The score is made by combining all of the music together. Assuming
-that the other voice is in @code{bassoonNotes} in the file
-@file{bassoon-music.ly}, a score is made with
+Depending on its contents, the identifier can be used in different
+places. The following example uses the above variables:
@example
-\include "bassoon-music.ly"
-\include "horn-music.ly"
-
-<<
- \new Staff \hornNotes
- \new Staff \bassoonNotes
->>
+\paper @{
+ \aFivePaper
+ line-width = \width
+@}
+@{ c4^\name @}
@end example
-@noindent
-leading to
-
-@lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
-\relative c <<
- \new Staff {
- \time 2/4 R2*3
- r4 f8 a cis4 f e d
- }
- \new Staff {
- \clef bass
- r4 d,8 f | gis4 c | b bes |
- a8 e f4 | g d | gis f
- }
->>
-@end lilypond
-
-More in-depth information on preparing parts and scores can be found
-in the notation manual; see @ref{Orchestral music}.
-
-Setting run-time variables (@q{properties}) is discussed in
-@ref{Changing context properties on the fly}.
-
@node After the tutorial
@subsection After the tutorial
After finishing the tutorial, you should probably try writing a
-piece or two. Start with one of the @ref{Example templates} and
+piece or two. Start with one of the @ref{Templates}, and
add notes. If you need any notation that was not covered in the
tutorial, look at the Notation Reference, starting with
@ref{Basic notation}. If you want to write for an instrument
-ensemble which is not covered in the @ref{Example templates},
+ensemble that is not covered in the templates,
take a look at @ref{Extending the templates}.
Once you have written a few short pieces, read the rest of
the Learning Manual (chapters 3-5). There's nothing wrong
-with reading them now, of course! However, the rest of the
+with reading it now, of course! However, the rest of the
Learning Manual assumes that you are familiar with
LilyPond input. You may wish to skim these chapters right
now, and come back to them after you have more experience.
+@node How to read the manual
+@subsection How to read the manual
+As we saw in @ref{How to read the tutorial}, many examples in the
+tutorial omitted a @code{\relative c'' @{ ... @}} around the printed
+example.
+In the rest of the manual, we are much more lax about the
+printed examples: sometimes they may have omitted a
+@code{\relative c'' @{ ... @}}, but other times a different initial
+pitch may be used (such as @code{c'} or @code{c,,}), and in some cases
+the whole example is in absolute note mode! However, ambiguities like
+this only exist where the pitches are not important. In any example
+where the pitch matters, we have explicitly stated @code{\relative}
+or absolute-mode @code{@{ @}}.
-@node Octave entry
-@subsection Octave entry
-
-@c Tim wants to move this quotes example just before the: quotes-do not-work
-@c score, but we'd need to remove quotes from the other two (key and
-@c tie) examples...
-
-@c better to have this just before the `octaves are bad' snipped
-@c but we'd need to remove the ', from \key and tie
-To raise a note by an octave, add a high quote @samp{'} (apostrophe) to
-the note name, to lower a note one octave, add a @q{low quote} @samp{,}
-(comma). Middle C is @code{c'}
-
-@lilypond[quote,notime,fragment,verbatim]
-c'4 c'' c''' \clef bass c c,
-@end lilypond
-
-An example of the use of quotes is in the following Mozart fragment
-
-@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,fragment,verbatim]
-\key a \major
-\time 6/8
-cis''8. d''16 cis''8 e''4 e''8
-b'8. cis''16 b'8 d''4 d''8
-@end lilypond
-
-@noindent
-This example shows that music in a high register needs lots of quotes.
-This makes the input less readable, and it is a source of errors. The
-solution is to use @q{relative octave} mode. This is the
-most convenient way to copy existing music.
-
-In relative mode, a note without octavation quotes (i.e., the @samp{'}
-or @samp{,} after a note) is chosen so that it is closest to the
-previous one. For example, @samp{c f} goes up while @samp{c g} goes
-down.
-
-To use relative mode, add @code{\relative} before the piece of
-music. The first note is taken relative to the middle C
-@c no , for this sentence
-(i.e., @code{c'})
-
-
-
-@lilypond[quote,notime,fragment,verbatim]
-\relative {
- c' f c g c
-}
-@end lilypond
-
-
-Since most music has small intervals, pieces can be written almost
-without octavation quotes in relative mode. The previous example is
-entered as
-
-@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
-\relative {
- \key a \major
- \time 6/8
- cis'8. d16 cis8 e4 e8
- b8. cis16 b8 d4 d8
-}
-@end lilypond
-
-@c needed better, maybe even redundant explanation
-@c added another example below.
-@c grappig: Pa vond het heel logies, en slim toen-i eenmaal begreep.
-@c in eerste instantie drong het `relative' niet door zonder extra uitleg.
-Larger intervals are made by adding octavation quotes.
-
-@lilypond[quote,notime,verbatim,fragment]
-\relative c {
- c'' f, f c' c g' c,
-}
-@end lilypond
-
-In summary, quotes or commas no longer determine the absolute height
-of a note in @code{\relative} mode. Rather, the height of a note is
-relative to the previous one, and changing the octave of a single note
-shifts all following notes an octave up or down.
-
-For more information on relative octaves see @ref{Relative octaves},
-and @ref{Octave check}.
-
-@c TODO post-2.6 reorg
-@c This is good info, but I wouldn't call it a comment. IMO it should
-@c be moved somewhere else.
-
-@cindex versioning
-
-There is a special statement that is a kind of comment. The @code{\version}
-statement marks for which version of LilyPond the file was written.
-To mark a file for version 2.10.1, use
-
-@example
-\version "2.10.1"
-@end example
-
-@noindent
-These annotations make future upgrades of LilyPond go more
-smoothly. Changes in the syntax are handled with a special program,
-@file{convert-ly} (see @ref{Updating files with convert-ly}), and it uses
-@code{\version} to determine what rules to apply.
-
+If you are still confused about the exact LilyPond input that was
+used in an example, read the HTML version (if you are not already doing
+so) and click on the picture of the music. This will display the exact
+input that LilyPond used to generate this manual.
projects / lilypond.git / blobdiff