on one staff.
@menu
-* Bar checks::
+* Bar lines and bar checks::
* Accidentals and key signatures::
* Ties and slurs::
* Articulation and dynamics::
@end menu
-@node Bar checks
-@subsection Bar checks
+@node Bar lines and bar checks
+@subsection Bar lines and bar checks
+
+@subheading Bar lines
+
+Single bar lines are automatically placed in the music so
+there is no need to add them manually. Other types of bar
+lines are added using @code{\bar}, for example
+@code{\bar "||"} for a double bar line, or @code{\bar "|."}
+for an ending bar line. For a full list of bar lines see
+the @ruser{Bar lines}.
+
+@lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2]
+g1 e1 \bar "||" c2. c'4 \bar "|."
+@end lilypond
+
+@subheading Bar checks
Though not strictly necessary, @emph{bar checks} should be
used in the input code to show where bar lines are expected