From 44865f5eaba540753f4fd7383b7b2ed582e2d91c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Keith OHara Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 16:31:48 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] Docs: state that LilyPond input is in terms of pitches --- Documentation/learning/common-notation.itely | 66 +++++++++----------- Documentation/notation/pitches.itely | 14 ++--- 2 files changed, 37 insertions(+), 43 deletions(-) diff --git a/Documentation/learning/common-notation.itely b/Documentation/learning/common-notation.itely index 9e91dd52e4..ff5775a616 100644 --- a/Documentation/learning/common-notation.itely +++ b/Documentation/learning/common-notation.itely @@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ on one staff. @menu * Bar lines and bar checks:: -* Accidentals and key signatures:: +* Pitches and key signatures:: * Ties and slurs:: * Articulation and dynamics:: * Adding text:: @@ -104,25 +104,24 @@ Notation Reference: @ruser{Bar and bar number checks}. -@node Accidentals and key signatures -@subsection Accidentals and key signatures +@node Pitches and key signatures +@subsection Pitches and key signatures @menu -* Accidentals:: +* Pitch alterations:: * Key signatures:: * Warning key signatures and pitches:: @end menu -@warning{New users are often confused by these -- please read the -warning at the bottom of this page, especially if you are not -familiar with music theory!} +@warning{New users often misunderstand how LilyPond uses the key +signature -- please read the warning at the bottom of this page.} -@node Accidentals -@unnumberedsubsubsec Accidentals +@node Pitch alterations +@unnumberedsubsubsec Pitch alterations @cindex accidentals -@cindex accidentals and key signatures +@cindex natural @cindex sharp @cindex double sharp @cindex sharp, double @@ -138,13 +137,16 @@ familiar with music theory!} Music Glossary: @rglos{sharp}, @rglos{flat}, @rglos{double sharp}, @rglos{double flat}, @rglos{accidental}. +Note-names in LilyPond identify pitches. For example, @code{c} +always means C-natural, regardless of the key signature. + A @notation{sharp} pitch is made by adding @code{is} to the name, and a @notation{flat} pitch by adding @code{es}. As you might expect, a @notation{double sharp} or @notation{double flat} is made by adding @code{isis} or @code{eses}. This syntax is derived from note naming conventions in Nordic and Germanic languages, like German and Dutch. To use other names for -@notation{accidentals}, see @ruser{Note names in other languages}. +@notation{alterations}, see @ruser{Note names in other languages}. @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2] cis4 ees fisis, aeses @@ -176,11 +178,11 @@ Music Glossary: @rglos{key signature}, @rglos{major}, The @notation{key signature} is set with the command @code{\key} followed by a pitch and @code{\major} or @code{\minor}. -@lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2] +@lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1] \key d \major -a1 | -\key c \minor -a1 | +d4 fis a c | +\bar "||" \key c \minor +c,4 ees g b | @end lilypond @smallspace @@ -193,22 +195,18 @@ Music Glossary: @rglos{accidental}, @rglos{key signature}, @rglos{pitch}, @rglos{flat}, @rglos{natural}, @rglos{sharp}, @rglos{transposition}, @rglos{Pitch names}. -To determine whether to print an @notation{accidental}, LilyPond -examines the pitches and the @notation{key signature}. The key -signature only affects the @emph{printed} accidentals, not the -note's @notation{pitch}! This is a feature that often causes -confusion to newcomers, so let us explain it in more detail. - -LilyPond makes a clear distinction between musical content and -layout. The alteration (@notation{flat}, @notation{natural sign} or -@notation{sharp}) of a note is part of the pitch, and is therefore -musical content. Whether an accidental (a @emph{printed} flat, -natural or sharp sign) is printed in front of the corresponding -note is a question of layout. Layout is something that follows -rules, so accidentals are printed automatically according to those -rules. The pitches in your music are works of art, so they will -not be added automatically, and you must enter what you want to -hear. +LilyPond makes a distinction between musical content and +its printed representation. Input such as @code{d4 e fis2} +defines the pitches and durations of notes, which is musical +content. The @notation{key signature} is part of the printed +representation. The key signature also sets rules for the +printed representations of notes. LilyPond compares each input +pitch to the key signature to determine whether to print an +@notation{accidental}. + +The command @code{\key} sets the @notation{key signature}, which +affects the printed representation, but does @emph{not} change +the pitch assigned to a note such as @code{c} in the input. In this example: @@ -231,10 +229,8 @@ note with pitch B-natural.} In the key of A-flat major, it aes4 c b c @end lilypond -If the above seems confusing, consider this: if you were playing a -piano, which key would you hit? If you would press a black key, -then you @emph{must} add @w{@code{-is}} or @w{@code{-es}} to the note -name! +Whenever you enter a pitch that is a black key on the piano, you +@emph{must} add @w{@code{-is}} or @w{@code{-es}} to the note name. Adding all alterations explicitly might require a little more effort when typing, but the advantage is that diff --git a/Documentation/notation/pitches.itely b/Documentation/notation/pitches.itely index 3cfd1f7577..1ad373a031 100644 --- a/Documentation/notation/pitches.itely +++ b/Documentation/notation/pitches.itely @@ -324,8 +324,8 @@ Internals Reference: @c duplicated in Key signature and Accidentals @warning{New users are sometimes confused about accidentals and -key signatures. In LilyPond, note names are the raw input; key -signatures and clefs determine how this raw input is displayed. +key signatures. In LilyPond, note names specify pitches; key +signatures and clefs determine how these pitches are displayed. An unaltered note like@tie{}@code{c} means @q{C natural}, regardless of the key signature or clef. For more information, see @rlearning{Accidentals and key signatures}.} @@ -353,10 +353,9 @@ for accidentals, see @ref{Note names in other languages}. ais1 aes aisis aeses @end lilypond -A natural will cancel the effect of an accidental or key -signature. However, naturals are not encoded into the note name -syntax with a suffix; a natural pitch is shown as a simple note -name: +A natural pitch is entered as a simple note name; no suffix is +required. A natural sign will be printed when needed to cancel +the effect of an earlier accidental or key signature. @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2] a4 aes a2 @@ -391,8 +390,7 @@ print them manually. A reminder accidental can be forced by adding an exclamation mark@tie{}@code{!} after the pitch. A cautionary accidental (i.e., an accidental within parentheses) can be obtained by adding the question mark@tie{}@code{?} after the -pitch. These extra accidentals can also be used to produce -natural signs. +pitch. @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2] cis cis cis! cis? c c c! c? -- 2.39.5