@menu
* First steps (compiling a file)::
* Simple notation::
+* Working on text files::
* More about pitches::
* Entering ties::
* Automatic and manual beams::
@node First steps (compiling a file)
@section First steps (compiling a file)
-The first example demonstrates how to enter the most elementary piece
-of music, a @rglos{scale}. A @rglos{note} can be entered by typing
-its name, from @samp{a} through @samp{g}. So, if you enter
+The first example demonstrates how to start working with LilyPond. To
+create sheet music, we write a text file that specifies the
+notation. For example, if we write
@example
@{
-c' e' g' c''
+ c' e' g' e'
@}
@end example
@noindent
the result looks like this
-@lilypond[quote]
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
{
-c' e' g' c''
+ c' e' g' e'
}
@end lilypond
codes that will confuse LilyPond.} and enter
@verbatim
-{ c' e' g' c'' }
+{
+ c' e' g' e'
+}
@end verbatim
Save it on the desktop as @file{test.ly} and make sure that it is not
@file{test.ly}
@verbatim
-{ c' e' g' c'' }
+{
+ c' e' g' e'
+}
@end verbatim
@noindent
@node Simple notation
@section Simple notation
-@strong{Remember:} Every piece of LilyPond input needs to have
-@strong{@{ curly braces @}} placed around the input. The braces should
-be surrounded by
-a space unless they are at the beginning or end of a line to avoid
-ambiguities. For the rest of this manual, most examples will omit
-these braces, but don't forget them in your own music!
+LilyPond will add some notation elements automatically. In the next
+example, we have only specified four pitches, but LilyPond has
+added a clef, time signature, and rhythms.
-@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.
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+{
+ c' e' g' e'
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+@noindent
+This behavior may be altered, but in most cases these automatic values
+are useful.
+
+
+@unnumberedsubsec Pitches
+
+The easiest way to enter notes is by using @code{\relative} mode. In
+this mode, the @rglos{interval} between the previous note and the
+current note is assumed to be within a @rglos{fourth}. We begin by
+entering the most elementary piece of music, a @rglos{scale}.
+
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c' {
+ c d e f
+ g a b c
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+The initial note is @rglos{middle C}. Each successive note
+is within a fourth of the previous note -- in other words, the first
+@samp{c} is the closest C to middle C. This is followed by the closest
+D to the previous note. We can create melodies which have larger intervals:
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c' {
+ d f a g
+ c b f d
+}
+@end lilypond
+@noindent
+As you may notice, this example does not start on middle C. The first
+note -- the @samp{d} -- is the closest D to middle C.
+
+To add intervals that are larger than a fourth, we can raise the octave
+by adding a single quote @code{'} (or apostrophe) to the note name. We can
+lower the octave by adding a comma @code{,} to the note name.
+
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c'' {
+ a a, c' f,
+ g g'' a,, f'
+}
+@end lilypond
-@c will be removed once the tutorial either explains \relative or
-@c examples are fixed so they don't use it. -gp
-In addition, many examples use @code{relative} mode. This is explained
-in @ref{Octave entry}; for now simply be aware that some examples
-should be placed inside @code{\relative @{ @emph{...music...} @}}.
-Many example have also been compressed horizontally to save
-space, using @code{\paper @{ ragged-right = ##t @}}.
+@noindent
+To change a note by two (or more!) octaves, we use multiple @code{''} or
+@code{,,} -- but be careful that you use two single quotes @code{''} and
+not one double quote @code{"}@tie{}! The initial value in
+@code{\relative c'} may also be modified like this.
-@c End of latest re-write. Since I have no life, I may do more
-@c work on this, but I'd really like to have a Doc Helper take
-@c over this task. -gp
+@unnumberedsubsec Durations (rhythms)
The @rglos{duration} of a note is specified by a number after the note
name. @samp{1} for a @rglos{whole note}, @samp{2} for a @rglos{half note},
-@samp{4} for a @rglos{quarter note} and so on
-
-@example
-a1 a2 a4 a16 a32
-@end example
+@samp{4} for a @rglos{quarter note} and so on. Beams are added
+automatically.
-@lilypond[fragment,quote,notime,relative=2]
-\set Staff.autoBeaming = ##f
-{ a1 a2 a4 a16 a32 s16_" " }
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c'' {
+ a1
+ a2 a4 a8 a
+ a16 a a a a32 a a a a64 a a a a a a a a2
+}
@end lilypond
-If you do not specify a duration, the duration last entered is used
-for the next notes. The duration of the first note in input defaults
-to a quarter
+@noindent
+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.
-@example
-a a8 a a2 a
-@end example
+To create @rglos{dotted notes}, add a dot @samp{.} to the duration number.
-@lilypond[fragment,quote,notime,relative=2]
-{ a a8 a a2 a s16_" " }
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c'' {
+ a a a4. a8
+ a8. a16 a a8. a8 a4.
+}
@end lilypond
-A @rglos{rest} is entered just like a note, but with the name @samp{r}
+@unnumberedsubsec Rests
-@example
-r2 r4 r8 r16
-@end example
+A @rglos{rest} is entered just like a note with the name @samp{r}:
-@lilypond[fragment,quote,notime]
-r2 r4 r8 r16 s16_" "
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c'' {
+ a r r2
+ r8 a r4 r4. r8
+}
@end lilypond
-Add a dot @samp{.} after the duration to get a @rglos{dotted note}
-@example
-a2. a4 a8. a16
-@end example
+@unnumberedsubsec Time signature
+
+The @rglos{time signature}) can be set with the @code{\time} command:
-@lilypond[fragment,quote,notime,relative=1]
-{ a2. a4 a8. a16 s16_" " }
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c'' {
+ \time 3/4
+ a4 a a
+ \time 6/8
+ a4. a
+ \time 4/4
+ a4 a a a
+}
@end lilypond
-The (or @rglos{time signature}) can be set with the @code{\time}
-command
-@example
-\time 3/4
-\time 6/8
-\time 4/4
-@end example
+@unnumberedsubsec Clef
-@c A clef here may lead to confusion, remove it.
-@lilypond[fragment,quote]
-\override Staff.Clef #'transparent = ##t
-\time 3/4
-s4_" "
-\time 6/8
-s4_" "
-\time 4/4
-s16_" "
+The @rglos{clef} can be set using the @code{\clef} command:
+
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c' {
+ \clef treble
+ c1
+ \clef alto
+ c1
+ \clef tenor
+ c1
+ \clef bass
+ c1
+}
@end lilypond
-The @rglos{clef} can be set using the @code{\clef} command
-@example
-\clef treble
-\clef bass
-\clef alto
-\clef tenor
-@end example
+@unnumberedsubsec All together
-@lilypond[fragment,quote,notime]
-\clef treble
-s4_" "
-\clef bass
-s4_" "
-\clef alto
-s4_" "
-\clef tenor
-s16_" "
+Here is a small example showing all these elements together:
+
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\relative c, {
+ \time 3/4
+ \clef bass
+ c2 e8 c' g'2.
+ f4 e d c4 c, r4
+}
@end lilypond
-Remember to enclose the notes and commands in curly braces
-@code{@{@tie{}@dots{}@tie{}@}} to convert it to printable output.
-@lilypond[fragment,quote,noindent,verbatim]
-\time 3/4
-\clef bass
-c2 e4 g2.
-f4 e d c2 r4
-@end lilypond
+@node Working on text files
+@section Working on text files
-For more information on
+LilyPond input files are treated like files in most programming languages:
+they are case sensitive, white-space insensitive, and expressions are
+formed with curly braces @{ @}.
+
+If the previous sentence sounds like nonsense, don't worry! We'll explain
+what all these terms mean:
+
+@itemize
+@item
+@strong{Remember:} Every piece of LilyPond input needs to have
+@strong{@{ curly braces @}} placed around the input. The braces should
+be surrounded by
+a space unless they are at the beginning or end of a line to avoid
+ambiguities. For the rest of this manual, most examples will omit
+these braces, but don't forget them in your own music!
+
+@cindex Case sensitive
+@item
+In addition, LilyPond input is @strong{case sensitive}. @code{ @{ c d e @} }
+is valid input; @code{ @{ C D E @} } will produce an error message.
+
+@c End of current re-write; more material coming in a few days. -gp
+@end itemize
-@quotation
-@table @asis
-@item Entering pitches and durations
-see
-@ref{Pitches}, and @ref{Durations}.
-@item Clefs
-see @ref{Clef}.
-@item Rests
-see @ref{Rests}.
-@item Time signatures and other timing commands
-see @ref{Time signature}.
-@end table
-@end quotation
@node More about pitches
LilyPond input. You may wish to skim these chapters right
now, and come back to them after you have more experience.
+@ignore
+For more information on
+
+@q uotation
+@t able @asis
+@i tem Entering pitches and durations
+see
+@r ef{Pitches}, and @ref{Durations}.
+@i tem Clefs
+see @ref{Clef}.
+@i tem Rests
+see @ref{Rests}.
+@i tem Time signatures and other timing commands
+see @ref{Time signature}.
+@e nd table
+@e nd quotation
+@end ignore
+
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