@c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*- @ignore Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH When revising a translation, copy the HEAD committish of the version that you are working on. For details, see the Contributors' Guide, node Updating translation committishes.. @end ignore @c \version "2.17.11" @node Rhythms @section Rhythms @lilypondfile[quote]{rhythms-headword.ly} This section discusses rhythms, rests, durations, beaming and bars. @menu * Writing rhythms:: * Writing rests:: * Displaying rhythms:: * Beams:: * Bars:: * Special rhythmic concerns:: @end menu @node Writing rhythms @subsection Writing rhythms @menu * Durations:: * Tuplets:: * Scaling durations:: * Ties:: @end menu @node Durations @unnumberedsubsubsec Durations @cindex durations, of notes @cindex note durations @cindex length of notes @cindex note lengths @funindex \longa @funindex longa @funindex \breve @funindex breve @funindex \maxima @funindex maxima Durations are designated by numbers and dots. Durations are entered as their reciprocal values. For example, a quarter note is entered using a @code{4} (since it is a 1/4 note), and a half note is entered using a @code{2} (since it is a 1/2 note). For notes longer than a whole you must use the @code{\longa} (a double breve) and @code{\breve} commands. Durations as short as 128th notes may be specified. Shorter values are possible, but only as beamed notes. @c Two 64th notes are needed to obtain beams @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 8/1 c\longa c\breve c1 c2 c4 c8 c16 c32 c64 c128 c128 @end lilypond Here are the same durations with automatic beaming turned off. @c not strictly "writing rhythms"; more of a "displaying" thing, @c but it's ok here. -gp @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 8/1 \autoBeamOff c\longa c\breve c1 c2 c4 c8 c16 c32 c64 c128 c128 @end lilypond A note with the duration of a quadruple breve may be entered with @code{\maxima}, but this is supported only within ancient music notation. For details, see @ref{Ancient notation}. @cindex duration, default @cindex default note duration @cindex note duration, default If the duration is omitted, it is set to the previously entered duration. The default for the first note is a quarter note. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] a a a2 a a4 a a1 a @end lilypond @cindex notes, dotted @cindex dotted notes @cindex notes, double-dotted @cindex double-dotted notes @funindex . To obtain dotted note lengths, place a dot (@code{.}) after the duration. Double-dotted notes are specified by appending two dots, and so on. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] a4 b c4. b8 a4. b4.. c8. @end lilypond Some durations cannot be represented with just binary durations and dots; they can be represented only by tying two or more notes together. For details, see @ref{Ties}. For ways of specifying durations for the syllables of lyrics and ways of aligning lyrics to notes, see @ref{Vocal music}. Optionally, notes can be spaced strictly proportionately to their duration. For details of this and other settings which control proportional notation, see @ref{Proportional notation}. @funindex \dotsUp @funindex dotsUp @funindex \dotsDown @funindex dotsDown @funindex \dotsNeutral @funindex dotsNeutral Dots are normally moved up to avoid staff lines, except in polyphonic situations. Dots may be manually placed above or below the staff; see @ref{Direction and placement}. @predefined @code{\autoBeamOn}, @code{\autoBeamOff}, @code{\dotsUp}, @code{\dotsDown}, @code{\dotsNeutral}. @endpredefined @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {alternative-breve-note.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {changing-the-number-of-augmentation-dots-per-note.ly} @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{breve}, @rglos{longa}, @rglos{maxima}, @rglos{note value}, @rglos{Duration names notes and rests}. Notation Reference: @ref{Automatic beams}, @ref{Ties}, @ref{Stems}, @ref{Writing rhythms}, @ref{Writing rests}, @ref{Vocal music}, @ref{Ancient notation}, @ref{Proportional notation}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{Dots}, @rinternals{DotColumn}. @knownissues @c Deliberately duplicated in Durations and Rests. -gp There is no fundamental limit to rest durations (both in terms of longest and shortest), but the number of glyphs is limited: rests from 128th to maxima (8 x whole) may be printed. @node Tuplets @unnumberedsubsubsec Tuplets @cindex tuplets @cindex triplets @funindex \tuplet @funindex tuplet Tuplets are made from a music expression with the @code{\tuplet} command, multiplying the speed of the music expression by a fraction: @example \tuplet @var{fraction} @{ @var{music} @} @end example @noindent The fraction's numerator will be printed over or under the notes, optionally with a bracket. The most common tuplets are triplets: 3@tie{}notes sound within the duration normally allowed for@tie{}2: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] a2 \tuplet 3/2 { b4 b b } c4 c \tuplet 3/2 { b4 a g } @end lilypond @cindex tuplet grouping @noindent When entering long passages of tuplets, having to write a separate @code{\tuplet} command for each group is inconvenient. It is possible to specify the duration of one tuplet group directly before the music in order to have the tuplets grouped automatically: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] g2 r8 \tuplet 3/2 8 { cis16 d e e f g g f e } @end lilypond @cindex tuplet bracket placement @funindex \tupletUp @funindex tupletUp @funindex \tupletDown @funindex tupletDown @funindex \tupletNeutral @funindex tupletNeutral Tuplet brackets may be manually placed above or below the staff; see @ref{Direction and placement}. Tuplets may be nested: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \autoBeamOff c4 \tuplet 5/4 { f8 e f \tuplet 3/2 { e[ f g] } } f4 @end lilypond Modifying nested tuplets which begin at the same musical moment must be done with @code{\tweak}. To modify the duration of notes without printing a tuplet bracket, see @ref{Scaling durations}. @predefined @code{\tupletUp}, @code{\tupletDown}, @code{\tupletNeutral}. @endpredefined @snippets @cindex tuplet formatting @cindex triplet formatting @funindex tupletNumberFormatFunction @funindex tupletSpannerDuration @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {entering-several-tuplets-using-only-one--times-command.ly} @cindex Tuplet number changes @funindex TupletNumber @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {changing-the-tuplet-number.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {non-default-tuplet-numbers.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {controlling-tuplet-bracket-visibility.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {permitting-line-breaks-within-beamed-tuplets.ly} @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{triplet}, @rglos{tuplet}, @rglos{polymetric}. Learning Manual: @rlearning{Tweaking methods}. Notation Reference: @ref{Time administration}, @ref{Scaling durations}, @ref{The tweak command}, @ref{Polymetric notation}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{TupletBracket}, @rinternals{TupletNumber}, @rinternals{TimeScaledMusic}. @cindex grace notes within tuplet brackets @knownissues Grace notes may be placed within tuplet brackets, @emph{except} when a staff begins with a grace note followed by a tuplet. In this particular case, the grace note must be placed before the @code{\tuplet} command to avoid errors. @cindex tempo marks within tuplet brackets When using a tuplet at the beginning of a piece with a @code{\tempo} mark, the music must be explicitly entered in a @code{\new Voice} block, as discussed in @rlearning{Voices contain music}. @node Scaling durations @unnumberedsubsubsec Scaling durations @cindex scaling durations @cindex durations, scaling The duration of single notes, rests or chords may be multiplied by a fraction @code{N/M} by appending @code{*N/M} (or @code{*N} if @code{M} is 1) to the duration. This will not affect the appearance of the notes or rests produced, but the altered duration will be used in calculating the position within the measure and setting the duration in the MIDI output. Multiplying factors may be combined like @code{*L*M/N}. Factors are part of the duration: if a duration is not specified for subsequent notes, the default duration taken from the preceding note will include any scaling factor. In the following example, the first three notes take up exactly two beats, but no triplet bracket is printed. @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] \time 2/4 % Alter durations to triplets a4*2/3 gis a % Normal durations a4 a % Double the duration of chord 4*2 % Duration of quarter, appears like sixteenth b16*4 c4 @end lilypond The duration of spacer rests may also be modified by a multiplier. This is useful for skipping many measures, e.g., @code{s1*23}. @cindex compressing music @cindex expanding music @funindex \scaleDurations @funindex scaleDurations Longer stretches of music may be compressed by a fraction in the same way, as if every note, chord or rest had the fraction as a multiplier. This leaves the appearance of the music unchanged but the internal duration of the notes will be multiplied by the fraction @emph{num}/@emph{den}. Here is an example showing how music can be compressed and expanded: @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] \time 2/4 % Normal durations 4 c8 a % Scale music by *2/3 \scaleDurations 2/3 { 4. c8 a f } % Scale music by *2 \scaleDurations 2/1 { 4 c8 b } @end lilypond One application of this command is in polymetric notation, see @ref{Polymetric notation}. @seealso Notation Reference: @ref{Tuplets}, @ref{Invisible rests}, @ref{Polymetric notation}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. @knownissues The calculation of the position within a measure must take into account all the scaling factors applied to the notes within that measure and any fractional carry-out from earlier measures. This calculation is carried out using rational numbers. If an intermediate numerator or denominator in that calculation exceeds 2^30 the execution and typesetting will stop at that point without indicating an error. @node Ties @unnumberedsubsubsec Ties @cindex tie @funindex ~ A tie connects two adjacent note heads of the same pitch. The tie in effect extends the duration of a note. @warning{Ties should not be confused with @emph{slurs}, which indicate articulation, or @emph{phrasing slurs}, which indicate musical phrasing. A tie is just a way of extending a note duration, similar to the augmentation dot.} A tie is entered by appending a tilde symbol (@code{~}) to the first of each pair of notes being tied. This indicates that the note should be tied to the following note, which must be at the same pitch. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] a2~ a4~ a16 r r8 @end lilypond Ties are used either when the note crosses a bar line, or when dots cannot be used to denote the rhythm. Ties should also be used when note values cross larger subdivisions of the measure: @lilypond[verbatim,quote] \relative c' { r8 c~ c2 r4 | r8^"not" c2~ c8 r4 } @end lilypond If you need to tie many notes across bar lines, it may be easier to use automatic note splitting, see @ref{Automatic note splitting}. This mechanism automatically splits long notes, and ties them across bar lines. @cindex ties and chords @cindex chords and ties When a tie is applied to a chord, all note heads whose pitches match are connected. When no note heads match, no ties will be created. Chords may be partially tied by placing the ties inside the chord. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1] ~ @end lilypond @cindex repeating ties @cindex ties, repeating @cindex volta brackets and ties @cindex ties and volta brackets @funindex \repeatTie @funindex repeatTie When a second alternative of a repeat starts with a tied note, you have to specify the repeated tie as follows: @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] \repeat volta 2 { c g 2~ } \alternative { % First alternative: following note is tied normally { 2. r4 } % Second alternative: following note has a repeated tie { 2\repeatTie d4 c } } @end lilypond @cindex laissez vibrer @cindex ties, laissez vibrer @funindex \laissezVibrer @funindex laissezVibrer @notation{L.v.}@: ties (@notation{laissez vibrer}) indicate that notes must not be damped at the end. It is used in notation for piano, harp and other string and percussion instruments. They can be entered as follows: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1] 1\laissezVibrer @end lilypond @cindex ties, placement @funindex \tieUp @funindex tieUp @funindex \tieDown @funindex tieDown @funindex \tieNeutral @funindex tieNeutral Ties may be made to curve up or down manually; see @ref{Direction and placement}. @cindex ties, appearance @cindex ties, dotted @cindex ties, dashed @cindex dashed ties @cindex dotted ties @funindex \tieDotted @funindex tieDotted @funindex \tieDashed @funindex tieDashed @funindex \tieSolid @funindex tieSolid Ties may be made dashed, dotted, or a combination of solid and dashed. @lilypond[quote, verbatim, relative=1] \tieDotted c2~ c \tieDashed c2~ c \tieHalfDashed c2~ c \tieHalfSolid c2~ c \tieSolid c2~ c @end lilypond Custom dash patterns can be specified: @lilypond[quote, verbatim, relative=1] \tieDashPattern #0.3 #0.75 c2~ c \tieDashPattern #0.7 #1.5 c2~ c \tieSolid c2~ c @end lilypond Dash pattern definitions for ties have the same structure as dash pattern definitions for slurs. For more information about complex dash patterns, see @ref{Slurs}. Override @var{whiteout} and @var{layer} layout properties for ties that collide with other objects in a staff. @lilypond[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,relative=2] \override Tie.layer = #-2 \override Staff.TimeSignature.layer = #-1 \override Staff.KeySignature.layer = #-1 \override Staff.TimeSignature.whiteout = ##t \override Staff.KeySignature.whiteout = ##t b2 b~ \time 3/4 \key a \major b r4 @end lilypond @predefined @code{\tieUp}, @code{\tieDown}, @code{\tieNeutral}, @code{\tieDotted}, @code{\tieDashed}, @code{\tieDashPattern}, @code{\tieHalfDashed}, @code{\tieHalfSolid}, @code{\tieSolid}. @endpredefined @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {using-ties-with-arpeggios.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {engraving-ties-manually.ly} @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{tie}, @rglos{laissez vibrer}. Notation Reference: @ref{Slurs}, @ref{Automatic note splitting}. Snippets: @rlsr{Expressive marks}, @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{LaissezVibrerTie}, @rinternals{LaissezVibrerTieColumn}, @rinternals{TieColumn}, @rinternals{Tie}. @knownissues Switching staves when a tie is active will not produce a slanted tie. Changing clefs or ottavations during a tie is not really well-defined. In these cases, a slur may be preferable. @node Writing rests @subsection Writing rests Rests are entered as part of the music in music expressions. @menu * Rests:: * Invisible rests:: * Full measure rests:: @end menu @node Rests @unnumberedsubsubsec Rests @cindex rest @cindex rest, entering durations @cindex maxima rest @cindex longa rest @cindex breve rest @funindex \rest @funindex rest @funindex r @funindex \maxima @funindex maxima @funindex \longa @funindex longa @funindex \breve @funindex breve Rests are entered like notes with the note name @code{r}. Durations longer than a whole rest use the following predefined commands: @c \time 16/1 is used to avoid spurious bar lines @c and long tracts of empty measures @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \new Staff { % These two lines are just to prettify this example \time 16/1 \override Staff.TimeSignature.stencil = ##f % Print a maxima rest, equal to four breves r\maxima % Print a longa rest, equal to two breves r\longa % Print a breve rest r\breve r1 r2 r4 r8 r16 r32 r64 r128 } @end lilypond @cindex rest, multi-measure @cindex rest, whole-measure Whole measure rests, centered in the middle of the measure, must be entered as multi-measure rests. They can be used for a single measure as well as many measures and are discussed in @ref{Full measure rests}. @cindex rest, specifying vertical position To explicitly specify a rest's vertical position, write a note followed by @code{\rest}. A rest of the duration of the note will be placed at the staff position where the note would appear. This allows for precise manual formatting of polyphonic music, since the automatic rest collision formatter will not move these rests. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] a4\rest d4\rest @end lilypond @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {rest-styles.ly} @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{breve}, @rglos{longa}, @rglos{maxima}. Notation Reference: @ref{Full measure rests}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{Rest}. @knownissues @c Deliberately duplicated in Durations and Rests. -gp There is no fundamental limit to rest durations (both in terms of longest and shortest), but the number of glyphs is limited: there are rests from 128th to maxima (8 x whole). @node Invisible rests @unnumberedsubsubsec Invisible rests @cindex skip @cindex invisible rest @cindex rest, invisible @cindex spacer note @cindex spacer rest @funindex s @funindex \skip @funindex skip An invisible rest (also called a @q{spacer rest}) can be entered like a note with the note name@tie{}@code{s}: @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2] c4 c s c s2 c @end lilypond @cindex lyrics, skip Spacer rests are available only in note mode and chord mode. In other situations, for example, when entering lyrics, the command @code{\skip} is used to skip a musical moment. @code{\skip} requires an explicit duration, but this is ignored if the lyrics derive their durations from the notes in an associated melody through @code{\addlyrics} or @code{\lyricsto}. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] << { a2 \skip2 a2 a2 } \new Lyrics { \lyricmode { foo2 \skip 1 bla2 } } >> @end lilypond Because @code{\skip} is a command, it does not affect the default durations of following notes, unlike@tie{}@code{s}. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] << { \repeat unfold 8 { a4 } } { a4 \skip 2 a | s2 a } >> @end lilypond A spacer rest implicitly causes @code{Staff} and @code{Voice} contexts to be created if none exist, just like notes and rests do: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] s1 s s @end lilypond @code{\skip} simply skips musical time; it creates no output of any kind. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] % This is valid input, but does nothing \skip 1 \skip1 \skip 1 @end lilypond @seealso Learning Manual: @rlearning{Visibility and color of objects}. Notation Reference: @ref{Hidden notes}, @ref{Visibility of objects}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{SkipMusic}. @node Full measure rests @unnumberedsubsubsec Full measure rests @cindex multi-measure rests @cindex full-measure rests @cindex rest, multi-measure @cindex rest, full-measure @cindex whole rest for a full measure @cindex rest, whole for a full measure @funindex R Rests for one or more full measures are entered like notes with the note name uppercase @code{R}: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] % Rest measures contracted to single measure \compressFullBarRests R1*4 R1*24 R1*4 b2^"Tutti" b4 a4 @end lilypond The duration of full-measure rests is identical to the duration notation used for notes. The duration in a multi-measure rest must always be an integral number of measure-lengths, so augmentation dots or fractions must often be used: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \compressFullBarRests \time 2/4 R1 | R2 | \time 3/4 R2. | R2.*2 | \time 13/8 R1*13/8 | R1*13/8*12 | \time 10/8 R4*5*4 | @end lilypond A full-measure rest is printed as either a whole or breve rest, centered in the measure, depending on the time signature. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 4/4 R1 | \time 6/4 R1*3/2 | \time 8/4 R1*2 | @end lilypond @cindex multi-measure rest, expanding @cindex multi-measure rest, contracting @funindex \expandFullBarRests @funindex expandFullBarRests @funindex \compressFullBarRests @funindex compressFullBarRests By default a multi-measure rest is expanded in the printed score to show all the rest measures explicitly. Alternatively, a multi-measure rest can be shown as a single measure containing a multi-measure rest symbol, with the number of measures of rest printed above the measure: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] % Default behavior \time 3/4 r2. | R2.*2 | \time 2/4 R2 | \time 4/4 % Rest measures contracted to single measure \compressFullBarRests r1 | R1*17 | R1*4 | % Rest measures expanded \expandFullBarRests \time 3/4 R2.*2 | @end lilypond @cindex text on multi-measure rest @cindex multi-measure rest, attaching text @cindex script on multi-measure rest @cindex multi-measure rest, script @cindex fermata on multi-measure rest @cindex multi-measure rest, attaching fermata @cindex markup on multi-measure rest @cindex multi-measure rest with markup @funindex \fermataMarkup @funindex fermataMarkup @funindex MultiMeasureRestText Markups can be added to multi-measure rests. The predefined command @code{\fermataMarkup} is provided for adding fermatas. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \compressFullBarRests \time 3/4 R2.*10^\markup { \italic "ad lib." } R2.^\fermataMarkup @end lilypond @warning{Markups attached to a multi-measure rest are objects of type @code{MultiMeasureRestText}, not @code{TextScript}. Overrides must be directed to the correct object, or they will be ignored. See the following example:} @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] % This fails, as the wrong object name is specified \override TextScript.padding = #5 R1^"wrong" % This is the correct object name to be specified \override MultiMeasureRestText.padding = #5 R1^"right" @end lilypond When a multi-measure rest immediately follows a @code{\partial} setting, resulting bar-check warnings may not be displayed. @funindex \textLengthOn @funindex textLengthOn @funindex \textLengthOff @funindex textLengthOff @funindex \fermataMarkup @funindex fermataMarkup @funindex \compressFullBarRests @funindex compressFullBarRests @funindex \expandFullBarRests @funindex expandFullBarRests @predefined @code{\textLengthOn}, @code{\textLengthOff}, @code{\fermataMarkup}, @code{\compressFullBarRests}, @code{\expandFullBarRests}. @endpredefined @snippets @cindex church rest @cindex rest, church @cindex kirchenpausen @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {changing-form-of-multi-measure-rests.ly} @cindex multi-measure rests, positioning @cindex positioning multi-measure rests @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {positioning-multi-measure-rests.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {multi-measure-rest-markup.ly} @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{multi-measure rest}. Notation Reference: @ref{Durations}, @ref{Text}, @ref{Formatting text}, @ref{Text scripts}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{MultiMeasureRest}, @rinternals{MultiMeasureRestNumber}, @rinternals{MultiMeasureRestText}. @cindex fingerings and multi-measure rests @cindex multi-measure rests and fingerings @knownissues Fingerings over multi-measure rests (e.g. @code{R1*10-4}) may result in the fingering numeral colliding with the bar counter numeral. @cindex condensing rests @cindex rest, condensing ordinary There is no way to automatically condense multiple ordinary rests into a single multi-measure rest. @cindex rest, collisions of Multi-measure rests do not take part in rest collisions. @node Displaying rhythms @subsection Displaying rhythms @menu * Time signature:: * Metronome marks:: * Upbeats:: * Unmetered music:: * Polymetric notation:: * Automatic note splitting:: * Showing melody rhythms:: @end menu @node Time signature @unnumberedsubsubsec Time signature @cindex time signature @cindex meter @funindex \time @funindex time The time signature is set as follows: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 2/4 c2 \time 3/4 c2. @end lilypond @cindex time signature, visibility of Time signatures are printed at the beginning of a piece and whenever the time signature changes. If a change takes place at the end of a line a warning time signature sign is printed there. This default behavior may be changed, see @ref{Visibility of objects}. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 2/4 c2 c \break c c \break \time 4/4 c c c c @end lilypond @cindex time signature style @cindex meter style @funindex \numericTimeSignature @funindex numericTimeSignature @funindex \defaultTimeSignature @funindex defaultTimeSignature The time signature symbol that is used in 2/2 and 4/4 time can be changed to a numeric style: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] % Default style \time 4/4 c1 \time 2/2 c1 % Change to numeric style \numericTimeSignature \time 4/4 c1 \time 2/2 c1 % Revert to default style \defaultTimeSignature \time 4/4 c1 \time 2/2 c1 @end lilypond Mensural time signatures are covered in @ref{Mensural time signatures}. @cindex time signature default settings @cindex autobeaming properties for time signatures @cindex beaming, time signature default properties @funindex \overrideTimeSignatureSettings In addition to setting the printed time signature, the @code{\time} command also sets the values of the time-signature-based properties @code{baseMoment}, @code{beatStructure}, and @code{beamExceptions}. The predefined default values for these properties can be found in @file{scm/time-signature-settings.scm}. The default value of @code{beatStructure} can be overridden in the @code{\time} command itself by supplying it as the optional first argument: @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \score { \new Staff { \relative c' { \time #'(2 2 3) 7/8 \repeat unfold 7 { c8 } | \time #'(3 2 2) 7/8 \repeat unfold 7 { c8 } | } } } @end lilypond Alternatively, the default values of all these time-signature-based variables, including @code{baseMoment} and @code{beamExceptions}, can be set together. The values can be set independently for several different time signatures. The new values take effect when a subsequent @code{\time} command with the same value of the time signature is executed: @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \score { \new Staff { \relative c' { \overrideTimeSignatureSettings 4/4 % timeSignatureFraction 1/4 % baseMomentFraction #'(3 1) % beatStructure #'() % beamExceptions \time 4/4 \repeat unfold 8 { c8 } | } } } @end lilypond @code{\overrideTimeSignatureSettings} takes four arguments: @enumerate @item @code{@var{timeSignatureFraction}}, a fraction describing the time signature to which these values apply. @item @code{@var{baseMomentFraction}}, a fraction containing the numerator and denominator of the basic timing unit for the time signature. @item @code{@var{beatStructure}}, a Scheme list indicating the structure of the beats in the measure, in units of the base moment. @item @code{@var{beamExceptions}}, an alist containing any beaming rules for the time signature that go beyond ending at every beat, as described in @ref{Setting automatic beam behavior}. @end enumerate The context containing @code{\overrideTimeSignatureSettings} must be instantiated before the @code{\overrideTimeSignatureSettings} call is executed. That means it must either be explicitly instantiated or there must be music in the context before the @code{\overrideTimeSignatureSettings} call: @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \score { \relative c' { % This call will fail because the context isn't yet instantiated \overrideTimeSignatureSettings 4/4 % timeSignatureFraction 1/4 % baseMomentFraction #'(3 1) % beatStructure #'() % beamExceptions \time 4/4 c8^\markup {"Beamed (2 2)"} \repeat unfold 7 { c8 } | % This call will succeed \overrideTimeSignatureSettings 4/4 % timeSignatureFraction 1/4 % baseMomentFraction #'(3 1) % beatStructure #'() % beamExceptions \time 4/4 c8^\markup {"Beamed (3 1)"} \repeat unfold 7 { c8 } | } } @end lilypond @cindex time signature properties, restoring default values @cindex restoring default properties for time signatures @funindex \revertTimeSignatureSettings Changed values of default time signature properties can be restored to the original values: @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \score{ \relative c' { \repeat unfold 8 { c8 } | \overrideTimeSignatureSettings 4/4 % timeSignatureFraction 1/4 % baseMomentFraction #'(3 1) % beatStructure #'() % beamExceptions \time 4/4 \repeat unfold 8 { c8 } | \revertTimeSignatureSettings 4/4 \time 4/4 \repeat unfold 8 { c8 } | } } @end lilypond Different values of default time signature properties can be established for different staves by moving the @code{Timing_translator} and the @code{Default_bar_line_engraver} from the @code{Score} context to the @code{Staff} context. @lilypond[quote, verbatim] \score { \new StaffGroup << \new Staff { \overrideTimeSignatureSettings 4/4 % timeSignatureFraction 1/4 % baseMomentFraction #'(3 1) % beatStructure #'() % beamExceptions \time 4/4 \repeat unfold 8 {c''8} } \new Staff { \overrideTimeSignatureSettings 4/4 % timeSignatureFraction 1/4 % baseMomentFraction #'(1 3) % beatStructure #'() % beamExceptions \time 4/4 \repeat unfold 8 {c''8} } >> \layout { \context { \Score \remove "Timing_translator" \remove "Default_bar_line_engraver" } \context { \Staff \consists "Timing_translator" \consists "Default_bar_line_engraver" } } } @end lilypond A further method of changing these time-signature-related variables, which avoids reprinting the time signature at the time of the change, is shown in @ref{Setting automatic beam behavior}. @predefined @code{\numericTimeSignature}, @code{\defaultTimeSignature}. @endpredefined @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,texidoc,doctitle] {time-signature-printing-only-the-numerator-as-a-number-instead-of-the-fraction.ly} @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{time signature} Notation Reference: @ref{Mensural time signatures}, @ref{Setting automatic beam behavior}, @ref{Time administration}. Installed Files: @file{scm/time-signature-settings.scm}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{TimeSignature}, @rinternals{Timing_translator}. @node Metronome marks @unnumberedsubsubsec Metronome marks @cindex tempo @cindex beats per minute @cindex metronome mark @cindex metronome marking with text @funindex \tempo @funindex tempo A basic metronome mark is simple to write: @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1] \tempo 4 = 120 c2 d e4. d8 c2 @end lilypond Metronome marks may also be printed as a range of two numbers: @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1] \tempo 4 = 40 ~ 46 c4. e8 a4 g b,2 d4 r @end lilypond Tempo indications with text can be used instead: @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2] \tempo "Allegretto" c4 e d c b4. a16 b c4 r4 @end lilypond Combining a metronome mark and text will automatically place the metronome mark within parentheses: @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2] \tempo "Allegro" 4 = 160 g4 c d e d4 b g2 @end lilypond In general, the text can be any markup object: @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2] \tempo \markup { \italic Faster } 4 = 132 a8-. r8 b-. r gis-. r a-. r @end lilypond A parenthesized metronome mark with no textual indication may be written by including an empty string in the input: @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=2] \tempo "" 8 = 96 d4 g e c @end lilypond @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,texidoc,doctitle] {printing-metronome-and-rehearsal-marks-below-the-staff.ly} @c perhaps also an example of how to move it horizontally? @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,texidoc,doctitle] {changing-the-tempo-without-a-metronome-mark.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,texidoc,doctitle] {creating-metronome-marks-in-markup-mode.ly} For more details, see @ref{Formatting text}. @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{metronome}, @rglos{metronomic indication}, @rglos{tempo indication}, @rglos{metronome mark}. Notation Reference: @ref{Formatting text}, @ref{MIDI output}. Snippets: @rlsr{Staff notation}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{MetronomeMark}. @node Upbeats @unnumberedsubsubsec Upbeats @cindex anacrusis @cindex upbeat @cindex partial measure @cindex measure, partial @cindex measure, pickup @cindex pickup measure @funindex measurePosition @funindex \partial @funindex partial Partial or pick-up measures, such as an @emph{anacrusis} or an @emph{upbeat}, are entered using the @code{\partial} command, @example \partial @var{duration} @end example @noindent where @code{@var{duration}} is the @emph{remaining} length of the partial measure @emph{before} the start of the next full measure. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1] \time 3/4 \partial 8 e8 | a4 c8 b c4 | @end lilypond The @var{duration} can be any value less than a full measure: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1] \time 3/4 \partial 4. r4 e8 | a4 c8 b c4 | @end lilypond @code{\partial @var{duration}} can also be written as: @example \set Timing.measurePosition -@var{duration} @end example So the first example above could be written: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1] \time 3/4 \set Timing.measurePosition = #(ly:make-moment -1/8) e8 | a4 c8 b c4 | @end lilypond The property @code{measurePosition} contains a rational number, which is usually positive and indicates how much of the measure has passed at this point. The @code{\partial @var{duration}} command sets it to a negative number, when it has a different meaning: it then says that the current (first) bar will be @emph{preceded} by a bar 0 (the partial bar) with a duration given by @var{duration}. @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{anacrusis}. Notation Reference: @ref{Grace notes}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internal Reference: @rinternals{Timing_translator}. @knownissues The @code{\partial} command should be used only at the beginning of a piece. If you use it after the beginning, warnings or problems may occur, so use @code{\set Timing.measurePosition} instead. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1] \time 6/8 \partial 8 e8 | a4 c8 b[ c b] | \set Timing.measurePosition = #(ly:make-moment -1/4) r8 e,8 | a4 c8 b[ c b] | @end lilypond @node Unmetered music @unnumberedsubsubsec Unmetered music @cindex cadenza @cindex cadenza, beams @cindex cadenza, accidentals @cindex cadenza, bar lines @cindex cadenza, bar numbers @cindex unmetered music @cindex unmetered music, beams @cindex unmetered music, accidentals @cindex unmetered music, bar lines @cindex unmetered music, bar numbers @cindex accidentals, cadenzas @cindex accidentals, unmetered music @cindex bar lines, cadenzas @cindex bar lines, unmetered music @cindex bar numbers, cadenzas @cindex bar numbers, unmetered music @cindex beams, cadenzas @cindex beams, unmetered music @funindex \cadenzaOn @funindex cadenzaOn @funindex \cadenzaOff @funindex cadenzaOff In metered music bar lines are inserted and bar numbers are calculated automatically. In unmetered music (i.e. cadenzas), this is not desirable and can be @q{switched off} using the command @code{\cadenzaOn}, then @q{switched back on} at the appropriate place using @code{\cadenzaOff}. @lilypond[verbatim,relative=2,quote] c4 d e d \cadenzaOn c4 c d8[ d d] f4 g4. \cadenzaOff \bar "|" d4 e d c @end lilypond Bar numbering is resumed at the end of the cadenza. @lilypond[verbatim,relative=2,quote] % Show all bar numbers \override Score.BarNumber.break-visibility = #all-visible c4 d e d \cadenzaOn c4 c d8[ d d] f4 g4. \cadenzaOff \bar "|" d4 e d c @end lilypond A new bar is never started within a cadenza, even if one or more @code{\bar} commands are inserted within it. Therefore, reminder accidentals will need to be added manually. See @ref{Accidentals}. @lilypond[verbatim,relative=2,quote] c4 d e d \cadenzaOn cis4 d cis d \bar "|" cis4 d cis! d \cadenzaOff \bar "|" @end lilypond Automatic beaming is disabled by @code{\cadenzaOn}. Therefore, all beaming in cadenzas must be entered manually. See @ref{Manual beams}. @lilypond[verbatim,relative=2,quote] \repeat unfold 8 { c8 } \cadenzaOn cis8 c c c c \bar"|" c8 c c \cadenzaOff \repeat unfold 8 { c8 } @end lilypond These predefined commands affect all staves in the score, even when placed in just one @code{Voice} context. To change this, move the @code{Timing_translator} from the @code{Score} context to the @code{Staff} context. See @ref{Polymetric notation}. @predefined @code{\cadenzaOn}, @code{\cadenzaOff}. @endpredefined @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{cadenza}. Notation Reference: @ref{Visibility of objects}, @ref{Polymetric notation}, @ref{Manual beams}, @ref{Accidentals}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. @cindex cadenza, line breaks @cindex cadenza, page breaks @cindex unmetered music, line breaks @cindex unmetered music, page breaks @cindex breaks in unmetered music @cindex line breaks, cadenzas @cindex page breaks, cadenzas @cindex line breaks, unmetered music @cindex page breaks, unmetered music @knownissues Automatic line and page breaks are inserted only at bar lines, so @q{invisible} bar lines will need to be inserted manually in long stretches of unmetered music to permit breaking: @example \bar "" @end example Explicitly create a @code{Voice} context when starting a piece with @code{\cadenzaOn}, else unexpected errors may occur. @example \new Voice @{ \relative c' @{ \cadenzaOn c16[^"Solo Free Time" d e f] g2. \bar "||" \cadenzaOff @} @} @end example @node Polymetric notation @unnumberedsubsubsec Polymetric notation @c This section necessarily uses \set @c This is acceptable -td @cindex double time signatures @cindex signatures, polymetric @cindex time signatures, polymetric @cindex time signatures, double @cindex polymetric signatures @cindex meter, polymetric @funindex timeSignatureFraction @funindex \scaleDurations @funindex scaleDurations @funindex \tuplet @funindex tuplet Polymetric notation is supported explicitly or by manually modifying the visible time signature symbol and/or scaling note durations. @subsubsubheading Different time signatures with equal-length measures Set a common time signature for each staff, and set the @code{timeSignatureFraction} to the desired fraction. Then use the @code{\scaleDurations} function to scale the durations of the notes in each staff to the common time signature. @cindex beams, with polymetric meters @cindex polymetric meters, with beams In the following example, music with the time signatures of 3/4, 9/8 and 10/8 are used in parallel. In the second staff, shown durations are multiplied by 2/3 (because 2/3 * 9/8 = 3/4) and in the third staff, the shown durations are multiplied by 3/5 (because 3/5 * 10/8 = 3/4). It may be necessary to insert beams manually, as the duration scaling will affect the autobeaming rules. @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \relative c' << \new Staff { \time 3/4 c4 c c | c4 c c | } \new Staff { \time 3/4 \set Staff.timeSignatureFraction = 9/8 \scaleDurations 2/3 \repeat unfold 6 { c8[ c c] } } \new Staff { \time 3/4 \set Staff.timeSignatureFraction = 10/8 \scaleDurations 3/5 { \repeat unfold 2 { c8[ c c] } \repeat unfold 2 { c8[ c] } | c4. c \tuplet 3/2 { c8[ c c] } c4 } } >> @end lilypond @subsubsubheading Different time signatures with unequal-length measures Each staff can be given its own independent time signature by moving the @code{Timing_translator} and the @code{Default_bar_line_engraver} to the @code{Staff} context. @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \layout { \context { \Score \remove "Timing_translator" \remove "Default_bar_line_engraver" } \context { \Staff \consists "Timing_translator" \consists "Default_bar_line_engraver" } } % Now each staff has its own time signature. \relative c' << \new Staff { \time 3/4 c4 c c | c4 c c | } \new Staff { \time 2/4 c4 c | c4 c | c4 c | } \new Staff { \time 3/8 c4. | c8 c c | c4. | c8 c c | } >> @end lilypond @funindex \compoundMeter @cindex compound time signatures @cindex time signature, compound @subsubsubheading Compound time signatures These are created using the @code{\compoundMeter} function. The syntax for this is: @example \compoundMeter #'@code{(list of lists)} @end example The simplest construction is a single list, where the @emph{last} number indicates the bottom number of the time signature and those that come before it, the top numbers. @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \relative c' { \compoundMeter #'((2 2 2 8)) \repeat unfold 6 c8 \repeat unfold 12 c16 } @end lilypond More complex meters can be constructed using additional lists. Also, automatic beaming settings will be adjusted depending on the values. @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \relative c' { \compoundMeter #'((1 4) (3 8)) \repeat unfold 5 c8 \repeat unfold 10 c16 } \relative c' { \compoundMeter #'((1 2 3 8) (3 4)) \repeat unfold 12 c8 } @end lilypond @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{polymetric}, @rglos{polymetric time signature}, @rglos{meter}. Notation Reference: @ref{Automatic beams}, @ref{Manual beams}, @ref{Time signature}, @ref{Scaling durations}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{TimeSignature}, @rinternals{Timing_translator}, @rinternals{Default_bar_line_engraver}, @rinternals{Staff}. @knownissues When using different time signatures in parallel, notes at the same moment will be placed at the same horizontal location. However, the bar lines in the different staves will cause the note spacing to be less regular in each of the individual staves than would be normal without the different time signatures. @node Automatic note splitting @unnumberedsubsubsec Automatic note splitting @cindex notes, splitting @cindex splitting notes @cindex rests, splitting @cindex splitting rests @funindex Note_heads_engraver @funindex Completion_heads_engraver @funindex Completion_rest_engraver Long notes which overrun bar lines can be converted automatically to tied notes. This is done by replacing the @code{Note_heads_engraver} with the @code{Completion_heads_engraver}. Similarly, long rests which overrun bar lines are split automatically by replacing the @code{Rest_engraver} with the @code{Completion_rest_engraver}. In the following example, notes and rests crossing the bar lines are split, notes are also tied. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1] \new Voice \with { \remove "Note_heads_engraver" \consists "Completion_heads_engraver" \remove "Rest_engraver" \consists "Completion_rest_engraver" } { c2. c8 d4 e f g a b c8 c2 b4 a g16 f4 e d c8. c2 r1*2 } @end lilypond These engravers split all running notes and rests at the bar line, and inserts ties for notes. One of its uses is to debug complex scores: if the measures are not entirely filled, then the ties show exactly how much each measure is off. @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{tie} Learning Manual: @rlearning{Engravers explained}, @rlearning{Adding and removing engravers}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{Note_heads_engraver}, @rinternals{Completion_heads_engraver}, @rinternals{Rest_engraver}, @rinternals{Completion_rest_engraver}, @rinternals{Forbid_line_break_engraver}. @knownissues Not all durations (especially those containing tuplets) can be represented exactly with normal notes and dots, but the @code{Completion_heads_engraver} will not insert tuplets. The @code{Completion_heads_engraver} only affects notes; it does not split rests. @node Showing melody rhythms @unnumberedsubsubsec Showing melody rhythms @cindex melody rhythms, showing @cindex rhythms, showing melody Sometimes you might want to show only the rhythm of a melody. This can be done with the rhythmic staff. All pitches of notes on such a staff are squashed, and the staff itself has a single line @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim] << \new RhythmicStaff { \new Voice = "myRhythm" { \time 4/4 c4 e8 f g2 r4 g g f g1 } } \new Lyrics { \lyricsto "myRhythm" { This is my song I like to sing } } >> @end lilypond @cindex guitar chord charts @cindex strumming rhythms, showing @cindex guitar strumming rhythms, showing @funindex Pitch_squash_engraver @funindex \improvisationOn @funindex improvisationOn @funindex \improvisationOff @funindex improvisationOff Guitar chord charts often show the strumming rhythms. This can be done with the @code{Pitch_squash_engraver} and @code{\improvisationOn}. @lilypond[quote,verbatim] << \new ChordNames { \chordmode { c1 f g c } } \new Voice \with { \consists "Pitch_squash_engraver" } \relative c'' { \improvisationOn c4 c8 c c4 c8 c f4 f8 f f4 f8 f g4 g8 g g4 g8 g c4 c8 c c4 c8 c } >> @end lilypond @predefined @code{\improvisationOn}, @code{\improvisationOff}. @endpredefined @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {guitar-strum-rhythms.ly} @seealso Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{RhythmicStaff}, @rinternals{Pitch_squash_engraver}. @node Beams @subsection Beams @menu * Automatic beams:: * Setting automatic beam behavior:: * Manual beams:: * Feathered beams:: @end menu @node Automatic beams @unnumberedsubsubsec Automatic beams By default, beams are inserted automatically: @cindex beams, manual @cindex manual beams @cindex beams, customizing rules @funindex \autoBeamOn @funindex autoBeamOn @funindex \autoBeamOff @funindex autoBeamOff @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 2/4 c8 c c c \time 6/8 c8 c c c8. c16 c8 @end lilypond If these automatic decisions are not satisfactory, beaming can be entered explicitly; see @ref{Manual beams}. Beams @emph{must} be entered manually if beams are to be extended over rests. If automatic beaming is not required, it may be turned off with @code{\autoBeamOff} and on with @code{\autoBeamOn}: @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim] c4 c8 c8. c16 c8. c16 c8 \autoBeamOff c4 c8 c8. c16 c8. \autoBeamOn c16 c8 @end lilypond @cindex melismata, with beams @cindex beams, with melismata @warning{If beams are used to indicate melismata in songs, then automatic beaming should be switched off with @code{@bs{}autoBeamOff} and the beams indicated manually. Using @code{@bs{}partcombine} with @code{@bs{}autoBeamOff} can produce unintended results. See the snippets for more information.} Beaming patterns that differ from the automatic defaults can be created; see @ref{Setting automatic beam behavior}. @predefined @code{\autoBeamOff}, @code{\autoBeamOn}. @endpredefined @cindex beams, line breaks @cindex line breaks, beams @cindex beams, with knee gap @cindex knee gap, with beams @funindex breakable @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {beams-across-line-breaks.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {changing-beam-knee-gap.ly} @cindex beams, \partcombine with \autoBeamOff @cindex voices, \partcombine with \autoBeamOff @lilypondfile [verbatim, quote, ragged-right, texidoc, doctitle] {partcombine-and-autobeamoff.ly} @seealso Notation Reference: @ref{Manual beams}, @ref{Setting automatic beam behavior}. Installed Files: @file{scm/auto-beam.scm}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{Auto_beam_engraver}, @rinternals{Beam_engraver}, @rinternals{Beam}, @rinternals{BeamEvent}, @rinternals{BeamForbidEvent}, @rinternals{beam-interface}, @rinternals{unbreakable-spanner-interface}. @knownissues The properties of a beam are determined at the @emph{start} of its construction and any additional beam-property changes that occur before the beam has been completed will not take effect until the @emph{next}, new beam starts. @node Setting automatic beam behavior @unnumberedsubsubsec Setting automatic beam behavior @cindex beams, with lyrics @cindex lyrics, with beams @funindex autoBeaming @funindex baseMoment @funindex beamExceptions @funindex beatStructure @funindex measureLength @funindex \time @funindex time @funindex \set @funindex set When automatic beaming is enabled, the placement of automatic beams is determined by three context properties: @code{baseMoment}, @code{beatStructure}, and @code{beamExceptions}. The default values of these variables may be overridden as described below, or alternatively the default values themselves may be changed as explained in @ref{Time signature}. If a @code{beamExceptions} rule is defined for the time signature in force, that rule alone is used to determine the beam placement; the values of @code{baseMoment} and @code{beatStructure} are ignored. If no @code{beamExceptions} rule is defined for the time signature in force, the beam placement is determined by the values of @code{baseMoment} and @code{beatStructure}. @subsubsubheading Beaming based on @code{baseMoment} and @code{beatStructure} By default, @code{beamExceptions} rules are defined for most common time signatures, so the @code{beamExceptions} rules must be disabled if automatic beaming is to be based on @code{baseMoment} and @code{beatStructure}. The @code{beamExceptions} rules are disabled by @example \set Timing.beamExceptions = #'() @end example When @code{beamExceptions} is set to @code{#'()}, either due to an explicit setting or because no @code{beamExceptions} rules are defined internally for the time signature in force, the ending points for beams are on beats as specified by the context properties @code{baseMoment} and @code{beatStructure}. @code{beatStructure} is a scheme list that defines the length of each beat in the measure in units of @code{baseMoment}. By default, @code{baseMoment} is one over the denominator of the time signature. By default, each unit of length @code{baseMoment} is a single beat. @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] \time 5/16 c16^"default" c c c c | % beamExceptions are unlikely to be defined for 5/16 time, % but let's disable them anyway to be sure \set Timing.beamExceptions = #'() \set Timing.beatStructure = #'(2 3) c16^"(2+3)" c c c c | \set Timing.beatStructure = #'(3 2) c16^"(3+2)" c c c c | @end lilypond @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] \time 4/4 a8^"default" a a a a a a a % Disable beamExceptions because they are definitely % defined for 4/4 time \set Timing.beamExceptions = #'() \set Timing.baseMoment = #(ly:make-moment 1/4) \set Timing.beatStructure = #'(1 1 1 1) a8^"changed" a a a a a a a @end lilypond Beam setting changes can be limited to specific contexts. If no setting is included in a lower-level context, the setting of the enclosing context will apply. @lilypond[quote, verbatim,relative=1] \new Staff { \time 7/8 % No need to disable beamExceptions as they are not defined for 7/8 time \set Staff.beatStructure = #'(2 3 2) << \new Voice = one { \relative c'' { a8 a a a a a a } } \new Voice = two { \relative c' { \voiceTwo \set Voice.beatStructure = #'(1 3 3) f8 f f f f f f } } >> } @end lilypond When multiple voices are used the @code{Staff} context must be specified if the beaming is to be applied to all voices in the staff: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 7/8 % rhythm 3-1-1-2 % Change applied to Voice by default -- does not work correctly % Because of autogenerated voices, all beating will % be at baseMoment (1 . 8) \set beatStructure = #'(3 1 1 2) << {a8 a a a16 a a a a8 a} \\ {f4. f8 f f f} >> % Works correctly with context Staff specified \set Staff.beatStructure = #'(3 1 1 2) << {a8 a a a16 a a a a8 a} \\ {f4. f8 f f f} >> @end lilypond The value of @code{baseMoment} can be adjusted to change the beaming behavior, if desired. When this is done, the value of @code{beatStructure} must be set to be compatible with the new value of @code{baseMoment}. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 5/8 % No need to disable beamExceptions as they are not defined for 5/8 time \set Timing.baseMoment = #(ly:make-moment 1/16) \set Timing.beatStructure = #'(7 3) \repeat unfold 10 { a16 } @end lilypond @code{baseMoment} is a @i{moment}; a unit of musical duration. A quantity of type @i{moment} is created by the scheme function @code{ly:make-moment}. For more information about this function, see @ref{Time administration}. By default @code{baseMoment} is set to one over the denominator of the time signature. Any exceptions to this default can be found in @file{scm/time-signature-settings.scm}. @subsubsubheading Beaming based on @code{beamExceptions} Special autobeaming rules (other than ending a beam on a beat) are defined in the @code{beamExceptions} property. @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] \time 3/16 \set Timing.beatStructure = #'(2 1) \set Timing.beamExceptions = #'( ;start of alist (end . ;entry for end of beams ( ;start of alist of end points ((1 . 32) . (2 2 2)) ;rule for 1/32 beams -- end each 1/16 ))) %close all entries c16 c c | \repeat unfold 6 { c32 } | @end lilypond @code{beamExceptions} is an alist with a key of rule-type and a value of beaming-rules. At this time the only available value of rule-type is @code{'end} for beam ending. Beaming-rules is a scheme alist (or list of pairs) that indicates the beam type and the grouping to be applied to beams containing notes with a shortest duration of that beam type. @example #'((beam-type1 . grouping-1) (beam-type2 . grouping-2) (beam-type3 . grouping-3)) @end example Beam type is a scheme pair indicating the duration of the beam, e.g., @code{(1 . 16)}. Grouping is a scheme list indicating the grouping to be applied to the beam. The grouping is in units of the beam type. @warning{ A @code{beamExceptions} value must be @emph{complete} exceptions list. That is, every exception that should be applied must be included in the setting. It is not possible to add, remove, or change only one of the exceptions. While this may seem cumbersome, it means that the current beaming settings need not be known in order to specify a new beaming pattern.} When the time signature is changed, default values of @code{Timing.baseMoment}, @code{Timing.beatStructure}, and @code{Timing.beamExceptions} are set. Setting the time signature will reset the automatic beaming settings for the @code{Timing} context to the default behavior. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 6/8 \repeat unfold 6 { a8 } % group (4 + 2) \set Timing.beatStructure = #'(4 2) \repeat unfold 6 { a8 } % go back to default behavior \time 6/8 \repeat unfold 6 { a8 } @end lilypond The default automatic beaming settings for a time signature are determined in @file{scm/time-signature-settings.scm}. Changing the default automatic beaming settings for a time signature is described in @ref{Time signature}. Many automatic beaming settings for a time signature contain an entry for @code{beamExceptions}. For example, 4/4 time tries to beam the measure in two if there are only eighth notes. The @code{beamExceptions} rule can override the @code{beatStructure} setting if @code{beamExceptions} is not reset. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 4/4 \set Timing.baseMoment = #(ly:make-moment 1/8) \set Timing.beatStructure = #'(3 3 2) % This won't beam (3 3 2) because of beamExceptions \repeat unfold 8 {c8} | % This will beam (3 3 2) because we clear beamExceptions \set Timing.beamExceptions = #'() \repeat unfold 8 {c8} @end lilypond In a similar fashion, eighth notes in 3/4 time are beamed as a full measure by default. To beam eighth notes in 3/4 time on the beat, reset @code{beamExceptions}. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 3/4 % by default we beam in (6) due to beamExceptions \repeat unfold 6 {a8} | % This will beam (1 1 1) due to default baseMoment and beatStructure \set Timing.beamExceptions = #'() \repeat unfold 6 {a8} @end lilypond In engraving from the Romantic and Classical periods, beams often begin midway through the measure in 3/4 time, but modern practice is to avoid the false impression of 6/8 time (see Gould, p. 153). Similar situations arise in 3/8 time. This behavior is controlled by the context property @code{beamHalfMeasure}, which has effect only in time signatures with 3 in the numerator: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 3/4 r4. a8 a a | \set Timing.beamHalfMeasure = ##f r4. a8 a a | @end lilypond @subsubsubheading How automatic beaming works When automatic beaming is enabled, the placement of automatic beams is determined by the context properties @code{baseMoment}, @code{beatStructure}, and @code{beamExceptions}. The following rules, in order of priority, apply when determining the appearance of beams: @itemize @item If a manual beam is specified with @code{[..]} set the beam as specified, otherwise @item if a beam-ending rule is defined in @code{beamExceptions} for the beam-type, use it to determine the valid places where beams may end, otherwise @item if a beam-ending rule is defined in @code{beamExceptions} for a longer beam-type, use it to determine the valid places where beams may end, otherwise @item use the values of @code{baseMoment} and @code{beatStructure} to determine the ends of the beats in the measure, and end beams at the end of beats. @end itemize In the rules above, the @emph{beam-type} is the duration of the shortest note in the beamed group. The default beaming rules can be found in @file{scm/time-signature-settings.scm}. @snippets @cindex beams, subdividing @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {subdividing-beams.ly} @cindex beamlets, orienting @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {strict-beat-beaming.ly} @cindex measure groupings @cindex beats, grouping @cindex grouping beats @cindex measure sub-grouping @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {conducting-signs,-measure-grouping-signs.ly} @cindex beam, endings in a score @cindex beam, endings with multiple voices @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {beam-endings-in-score-context.ly} @seealso Notation Reference: @ref{Time signature}. Installed Files: @file{scm/time-signature-settings.scm}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{Auto_beam_engraver}, @rinternals{Beam}, @rinternals{BeamForbidEvent}, @rinternals{beam-interface}. @knownissues If a score ends while an automatic beam has not been ended and is still accepting notes, this last beam will not be typeset at all. The same holds for polyphonic voices, entered with @code{<< @dots{} \\ @dots{} >>}. If a polyphonic voice ends while an automatic beam is still accepting notes, it is not typeset. The workaround for these problems is to manually beam the last beam in the voice or score. By default, the @code{Timing} translator is aliased to the @code{Score} context. This means that setting the time signature in one staff will affect the beaming of the other staves as well. Thus, a time signature setting in a later staff will reset custom beaming that was set in an earlier staff. One way to avoid this problem is to set the time signature in only one staff. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] << \new Staff { \time 3/4 \set Timing.baseMoment = #(ly:make-moment 1/8) \set Timing.beatStructure = #'(1 5) \repeat unfold 6 { a8 } } \new Staff { \repeat unfold 6 { a8 } } >> @end lilypond The default beam settings for the time signature can also be changed, so that the desired beaming will always be used. Changes in automatic beaming settings for a time signature are described in @ref{Time signature}. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] << \new Staff { \overrideTimeSignatureSettings 3/4 % timeSignatureFraction 1/8 % baseMomentFraction #'(1 5) % beatStructure #'() % beamExceptions \time 3/4 \repeat unfold 6 { a8 } } \new Staff { \time 3/4 \repeat unfold 6 { a8 } } >> @end lilypond @node Manual beams @unnumberedsubsubsec Manual beams @cindex beams, manual @cindex manual beams @funindex ] @funindex [ In some cases it may be necessary to override the automatic beaming algorithm. For example, the autobeamer will not put beams over rests or bar lines, and in choral scores the beaming is often set to follow the meter of the lyrics rather than the notes. Such beams can be specified manually by marking the begin and end point with @code{[} and @code{]}. @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim] r4 r8[ g' a r] r g[ | a] r @end lilypond @cindex manual beams, direction shorthand for @cindex manual beams, grace notes Beaming direction can be set manually using direction indicators: @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] c8^[ d e] c,_[ d e f g] @end lilypond @funindex \noBeam @funindex noBeam Individual notes may be marked with @code{\noBeam} to prevent them from being beamed: @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \time 2/4 c8 c\noBeam c c @end lilypond Grace note beams and normal note beams can occur simultaneously. Unbeamed grace notes are not put into normal note beams. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] c4 d8[ \grace { e32[ d c d] } e8] e[ e \grace { f16 } e8 e] @end lilypond @funindex stemLeftBeamCount @funindex stemRightBeamCount Even more strict manual control with the beams can be achieved by setting the properties @code{stemLeftBeamCount} and @code{stemRightBeamCount}. They specify the number of beams to draw on the left and right side, respectively, of the next note. If either property is set, its value will be used only once, and then it is erased. In this example, the last @code{f} is printed with only one beam on the left side, i.e., the eighth-note beam of the group as a whole. @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] a8[ r16 f g a] a8[ r16 \set stemLeftBeamCount = #2 \set stemRightBeamCount = #1 f16 \set stemLeftBeamCount = #1 g16 a] @end lilypond @predefined @code{\noBeam}. @endpredefined @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {flat-flags-and-beam-nibs.ly} @seealso Notation Reference: @ref{Direction and placement}, @ref{Grace notes}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{Beam}, @rinternals{BeamEvent}, @rinternals{Beam_engraver}, @rinternals{beam-interface}, @rinternals{Stem_engraver}. @node Feathered beams @unnumberedsubsubsec Feathered beams @cindex beams, feathered @cindex feathered beams @funindex \featherDurations @funindex featherDurations @funindex grow-direction Feathered beams are used to indicate that a small group of notes should be played at an increasing (or decreasing) tempo, without changing the overall tempo of the piece. The extent of the feathered beam must be indicated manually using @code{[} and @code{]}, and the beam feathering is turned on by specifying a direction to the @code{Beam} property @code{grow-direction}. If the placement of the notes and the sound in the MIDI output is to reflect the @emph{ritardando} or @emph{accelerando} indicated by the feathered beam the notes must be grouped as a music expression delimited by braces and preceded by a @code{featherDurations} command which specifies the ratio between the durations of the first and last notes in the group. The square brackets show the extent of the beam and the braces show which notes are to have their durations modified. Normally these would delimit the same group of notes, but this is not required: the two commands are independent. In the following example the eight 16th notes occupy exactly the same time as a half note, but the first note is one half as long as the last one, with the intermediate notes gradually lengthening. The first four 32nd notes gradually speed up, while the last four 32nd notes are at a constant tempo. @lilypond[relative=1,verbatim,quote] \override Beam.grow-direction = #LEFT \featherDurations #(ly:make-moment 2/1) { c16[ c c c c c c c] } \override Beam.grow-direction = #RIGHT \featherDurations #(ly:make-moment 2/3) { c32[ d e f] } % revert to non-feathered beams \override Beam.grow-direction = #'() { g32[ a b c] } @end lilypond @noindent The spacing in the printed output represents the note durations only approximately, but the MIDI output is exact. @predefined @code{\featherDurations}. @endpredefined @seealso Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. @knownissues The @code{\featherDurations} command only works with very short music snippets, and when numbers in the fraction are small. @node Bars @subsection Bars @menu * Bar lines:: * Bar numbers:: * Bar and bar number checks:: * Rehearsal marks:: @end menu @node Bar lines @unnumberedsubsubsec Bar lines @cindex bar lines @cindex measure lines @cindex closing bar lines @cindex bar lines, closing @cindex double bar lines @cindex bar lines, double @cindex repeat bars @funindex \bar @funindex bar Bar lines delimit measures, and are also used to indicate repeats. Normally, simple bar lines are automatically inserted into the printed output at places based on the current time signature. The simple bar lines inserted automatically can be changed to other types with the @code{\bar} command. For example, a closing double bar line is usually placed at the end of a piece: @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim] e4 d c2 \bar "|." @end lilypond It is not invalid if the final note in a measure does not end on the automatically entered bar line: the note is assumed to carry over into the next measure. But if a long sequence of such carry-over measures appears the music can appear compressed or even flowing off the page. This is because automatic line breaks happen only at the end of complete measures, i.e., where all notes end before the end of a measure. @warning{An incorrect duration can cause line breaks to be inhibited, leading to a line of highly compressed music or music which flows off the page.} @cindex line breaks @cindex bar lines, invisible @cindex measure lines, invisible Line breaks are also permitted at manually inserted bar lines even within incomplete measures. To allow a line break without printing a bar line, use the following: @example \bar "" @end example @noindent This will insert an invisible bar line and allow (but not force) a line break to occur at this point. The bar number counter is not increased. To force a line break see @ref{Line breaking}. @cindex manual bar lines @cindex manual measure lines @cindex bar lines, manual @cindex measure lines, manual This and other special bar lines may be inserted manually at any point. When they coincide with the end of a measure they replace the simple bar line which would have been inserted there automatically. When they do not coincide with the end of a measure the specified bar line is inserted at that point in the printed output. Note that manual bar lines are purely visual. They do not affect any of the properties that a normal bar line would affect, such as measure numbers, accidentals, line breaks, etc. They do not affect the calculation and placement of subsequent automatic bar lines. When a manual bar line is placed where a normal bar line already exists, the effects of the original bar line are not altered. Two types of simple bar lines and five types of double bar lines are available for manual insertion: @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim] f1 \bar "|" f1 \bar "." g1 \bar "||" a1 \bar ".|" b1 \bar ".." c1 \bar "|.|" d1 \bar "|." e1 @end lilypond @noindent together with dotted and dashed bar lines: @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim] f1 \bar ";" g1 \bar "!" a1 @end lilypond @noindent and nine types of repeat bar lines: @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim] f1 \bar ".|:" g1 \bar ":..:" a1 \bar ":|.|:" b1 \bar ":|.:" c1 \bar ":.|.:" d1 \bar "[|:" e1 \bar ":|][|:" f1 \bar ":|]" g1 \bar ":|." a1 @end lilypond Additionally, a bar line can be printed as a simple tick: @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim] f1 \bar "'" @end lilypond However, as such ticks are typically used in Gregorian chant, it is preferable to use @code{\divisioMinima} there instead, described in the section @ref{Divisiones} in Gregorian chant. Lilypond supports kievan notation and provides a special kievan bar line: @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim] f1 \bar "k" @end lilypond Further details of this notation are explained in @ref{Typesetting Kievan square notation}. @cindex segno For in-line segno signs, there are three types of bar lines which differ in their behavior at line breaks: @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] c4 c c c \bar "S" c4 c c c \break \bar "S" c4 c c c \bar "S-|" c4 c c c \break \bar "S-|" c4 c c c \bar "S-S" c4 c c c \break \bar "S-S" c1 @end lilypond @cindex repeats Although the bar line types signifying repeats may be inserted manually they do not in themselves cause LilyPond to recognize a repeated section. Such repeated sections are better entered using the various repeat commands (see @ref{Repeats}), which automatically print the appropriate bar lines. In addition, you can specify @code{".|:-||"}, which is equivalent to @code{".|:"} except at line breaks, where it gives a double bar line at the end of the line and a start repeat at the beginning of the next line. @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] c4 c c c \bar ".|:-||" c4 c c c \break \bar ".|:-||" c4 c c c @end lilypond For combinations of repeats with the segno sign, there are six different variations: @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] c4 c c c \bar ":|.S" c4 c c c \break \bar ":|.S" c4 c c c \bar ":|.S-S" c4 c c c \break \bar ":|.S-S" c4 c c c \bar "S.|:-S" c4 c c c \break \bar "S.|:-S" c4 c c c \bar "S.|:" c4 c c c \break \bar "S.|:" c4 c c c \bar ":|.S.|:" c4 c c c \break \bar ":|.S.|:" c4 c c c \bar ":|.S.|:-S" c4 c c c \break \bar ":|.S.|:-S" c1 @end lilypond Additionally there is an @code{\inStaffSegno} command which creates a segno bar, placed in cooperation with the @code{\repeat volta} command. @funindex \defineBarLine @funindex defineBarLine @cindex bar lines, defining @cindex defining bar lines New bar line types can be defined with @code{\defineBarLine}: @example \defineBarLine @var{bartype} #'(@var{end} @var{begin} @var{span}) @end example The @code{\defineBarline} variables can include the @q{empty} string @code{""}, which is equivalent to an invisible bar line being printed. Or they can be set to @code{#f} which prints no bar line at all. After the definiton, the new bar line can be used by @code{\bar} @var{bartype}. There are currently ten bar line elements available: @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \defineBarLine ":" #'("" ":" "") \defineBarLine "=" #'("=" "" "") \defineBarLine "[" #'("" "[" "") \defineBarLine "]" #'("]" "" "") \new Staff { s1 \bar "|" s1 \bar "." s1 \bar "!" s1 \bar ";" s1 \bar ":" s1 \bar "k" s1 \bar "S" s1 \bar "=" s1 \bar "[" s1 \bar "]" s1 \bar "" } @end lilypond The @code{"="} bar line provides the double span bar line, used in combination with the segno sign. Do not use it as a standalone double thin bar line; here, @code{\bar} @var{"||"} is preferred. The @code{"-"} sign starts annotations to bar lines which are useful to distinguish those with identical appearance but different behavior at line breaks and/or different span bars. The part following the @code{"-"} sign is not used for building up the bar line. @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] \defineBarLine "||-dashedSpan" #'("||" "" "!!") \new StaffGroup << \new Staff { c1 \bar "||" c1 \bar "||-dashedSpan" c1 } \new Staff { c1 c1 c1 } >> @end lilypond Furthermore, the space character @code{" "} serves as a placeholder for defining span bars correctly aligned to the main bar lines: @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] \defineBarLine ":|.-wrong" #'(":|." "" "|.") \defineBarLine ":|.-right" #'(":|." "" " |.") \new StaffGroup << \new Staff { c1 \bar ":|.-wrong" c1 \bar ":|.-right" c1 } \new Staff { c1 c1 c1 } >> @end lilypond If additional elements are needed, LilyPond provides a simple way to define them. For more informations on modifying or adding bar lines, see file @file{scm/bar-line.scm}. In scores with many staves, a @code{\bar} command in one staff is automatically applied to all staves. The resulting bar lines are connected between different staves of a @code{StaffGroup}, @code{PianoStaff}, or @code{GrandStaff}. @lilypond[quote,relative=1,verbatim] << \new StaffGroup << \new Staff { e4 d \bar "||" f4 e } \new Staff { \clef bass c4 g e g } >> \new Staff { \clef bass c2 c2 } >> @end lilypond @cindex default bar lines, changing @cindex bar lines, default, changing @funindex whichBar @funindex defaultBarType @funindex \bar @funindex bar @funindex bartype The command @samp{\bar @var{bartype}} is a shortcut for @samp{\set Timing.whichBar = @var{bartype}}. A bar line is created whenever the @code{whichBar} property is set. The default bar type used for automatically inserted bar lines is @code{"|"}. This may be changed at any time with @samp{\set Timing.defaultBarType = @var{bartype}}. @seealso Notation Reference: @ref{Line breaking}, @ref{Repeats}, @ref{Grouping staves}. Installed Files: @file{scm/bar-line.scm}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{BarLine} (created at @code{Staff} level), @rinternals{SpanBar} (across staves), @rinternals{Timing_translator} (for Timing properties). @node Bar numbers @unnumberedsubsubsec Bar numbers @cindex bar numbers @cindex measure numbers @cindex numbers, bar @cindex numbers, measure @funindex currentBarNumber Bar numbers are typeset by default at the start of every line except the first line. The number itself is stored in the @code{currentBarNumber} property, which is normally updated automatically for every measure. It may also be set manually: @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1] c1 c c c \break \set Score.currentBarNumber = #50 c1 c c c @end lilypond @cindex bar numbers, regular spacing @funindex barNumberVisibility @funindex BarNumber Bar numbers can be typeset at regular intervals instead of just at the beginning of every line. To do this the default behavior must be overridden to permit bar numbers to be printed at places other than the start of a line. This is controlled by the @code{break-visibility} property of @code{BarNumber}. This takes three values which may be set to @code{#t} or @code{#f} to specify whether the corresponding bar number is visible or not. The order of the three values is @code{end of line visible}, @code{middle of line visible}, @code{beginning of line visible}. In the following example bar numbers are printed at all possible places: @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1] \override Score.BarNumber.break-visibility = ##(#t #t #t) \set Score.currentBarNumber = #11 % Permit first bar number to be printed \bar "" c1 | c | c | c \break c1 | c | c | c @end lilypond @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {printing-the-bar-number-for-the-first-measure.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {printing-bar-numbers-at-regular-intervals.ly} @cindex measure number, format @cindex bar number, format @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {printing-bar-numbers-inside-boxes-or-circles.ly} @cindex bar numbers, with letters @cindex bar numbers, with repeats @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,texidoc,doctitle] {alternative-bar-numbering.ly} @cindex bar number alignment @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,texidoc,doctitle] {aligning-bar-numbers.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {removing-bar-numbers-from-a-score.ly} @seealso Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{BarNumber}, @rinternals{Bar_number_engraver}. @cindex bar number collision @cindex collision, bar number @knownissues Bar numbers may collide with the top of the @code{StaffGroup} bracket, if there is one. To solve this, the @code{padding} property of @code{BarNumber} can be used to position the number correctly. See @rinternals{StaffGroup} and @rinternals{BarNumber} for more. @node Bar and bar number checks @unnumberedsubsubsec Bar and bar number checks @cindex bar check @cindex bar number check @cindex measure check @cindex measure number check @funindex barCheckSynchronize @funindex | Bar checks help detect errors in the entered durations. A bar check may be entered using the bar symbol, @code{|}, at any place where a bar line is expected to fall. If bar check lines are encountered at other places, a list of warnings is printed in the log file, showing the line numbers and lines in which the bar checks failed. In the next example, the second bar check will signal an error. @example \time 3/4 c2 e4 | g2 | @end example Bar checks can also be used in lyrics: @example \lyricmode @{ \time 2/4 Twin -- kle | Twin -- kle | @} @end example An incorrect duration can result in a completely garbled score, especially if the score is polyphonic, so a good place to start correcting input is by scanning for failed bar checks and incorrect durations. If successive bar checks are off by the same musical interval, only the first warning message is displayed. This allows the warning to focus on the source of the timing error. @funindex | @funindex pipeSymbol It is also possible to redefine the action taken when a bar check or pipe symbol, @code{|}, is encountered in the input, so that it does something other than a bar check. This is done by assigning a music expression to @code{pipeSymbol}. In the following example @code{|} is set to insert a double bar line wherever it appears in the input, rather than checking for end of bar. @lilypond[quote,verbatim] pipeSymbol = \bar "||" { c'2 c' | c'2 c' c'2 | c' c'2 c' } @end lilypond @funindex \barNumberCheck @funindex barNumberCheck When copying large pieces of music, it can be helpful to check that the LilyPond bar number corresponds to the original that you are entering from. This can be checked with @code{\barNumberCheck}, for example, @verbatim \barNumberCheck #123 @end verbatim @noindent will print a warning if the @code{currentBarNumber} is not 123 when it is processed. @seealso Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. @node Rehearsal marks @unnumberedsubsubsec Rehearsal marks @cindex rehearsal marks @cindex mark, rehearsal @funindex \mark @funindex mark To print a rehearsal mark, use the @code{\mark} command. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] c1 \mark \default c1 \mark \default c1 \mark \default c1 \mark \default @end lilypond @noindent The mark is incremented automatically if you use @code{\mark \default}, but you can also use an integer argument to set the mark manually. The value to use is stored in the property @code{rehearsalMark}. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] c1 \mark \default c1 \mark \default c1 \mark #8 c1 \mark \default c1 \mark \default @end lilypond @noindent The letter@tie{}@q{I} is skipped in accordance with engraving traditions. If you wish to include the letter @q{I}, then use one of the following commands, depending on which style of rehearsal mark you want (letters only, letters in a hollow box, or letters in a hollow circle). @example \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-alphabet \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-box-alphabet \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-circle-alphabet @end example @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-box-alphabet c1 \mark \default c1 \mark \default c1 \mark #8 c1 \mark \default c1 \mark \default @end lilypond @cindex rehearsal mark format @cindex rehearsal mark style @cindex style, rehearsal mark @cindex format, rehearsal mark @cindex mark, rehearsal, style @cindex mark, rehearsal, format @cindex rehearsal mark, manual @cindex mark, rehearsal, manual @cindex custom rehearsal mark @cindex manual rehearsal mark The style is defined by the property @code{markFormatter}. It is a function taking the current mark (an integer) and the current context as argument. It should return a markup object. In the following example, @code{markFormatter} is set to a pre-defined procedure. After a few measures, it is set to a procedure that produces a boxed number. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-numbers c1 \mark \default c1 \mark \default \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-box-numbers c1 \mark \default \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-circle-numbers c1 \mark \default \set Score.markFormatter = #format-mark-circle-letters c1 @end lilypond The file @file{scm/translation-functions.scm} contains the definitions of @code{format-mark-numbers} (the default format), @code{format-mark-box-numbers}, @code{format-mark-letters} and @code{format-mark-box-letters}. These can be used as inspiration for other formatting functions. You may use @code{format-mark-barnumbers}, @code{format-mark-box-barnumbers}, and @code{format-mark-circle-barnumbers} to get bar numbers instead of incremented numbers or letters. Other styles of rehearsal mark can be specified manually: @example \mark "A1" @end example @noindent Note that @code{Score.markFormatter} does not affect marks specified in this manner. However, it is possible to apply a @code{\markup} to the string. @example \mark \markup@{ \box A1 @} @end example @cindex segno @cindex coda @cindex D.S. al Fine @cindex fermata @cindex music glyphs @cindex glyphs, music @funindex \musicglyph @funindex musicglyph Music glyphs (such as the segno sign) may be printed inside a @code{\mark} @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=1] c1 \mark \markup { \musicglyph #"scripts.segno" } c1 \mark \markup { \musicglyph #"scripts.coda" } c1 \mark \markup { \musicglyph #"scripts.ufermata" } c1 @end lilypond @noindent See @ref{The Feta font}, for a list of symbols which may be printed with @code{\musicglyph}. For common tweaks to the positioning of rehearsal marks, see @ref{Formatting text}. For more precise control, see @code{break-alignable-interface} in @ref{Aligning objects}. The file @file{scm/translation-functions.scm} contains the definitions of @code{format-mark-numbers} and @code{format-mark-letters}. They can be used as inspiration for other formatting functions. @seealso Notation Reference: @ref{The Feta font}, @ref{Formatting text}, @ref{Aligning objects}. Installed Files: @file{scm/translation-functions.scm}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{MarkEvent}, @rinternals{Mark_engraver}, @rinternals{RehearsalMark}. @node Special rhythmic concerns @subsection Special rhythmic concerns @menu * Grace notes:: * Aligning to cadenzas:: * Time administration:: @end menu @node Grace notes @unnumberedsubsubsec Grace notes @cindex ornaments @cindex grace notes @cindex appoggiatura @cindex acciaccatura @funindex \grace @funindex \slashedGrace @funindex \acciaccatura @funindex \appoggiatura Grace notes are musical ornaments, printed in a smaller font, that take up no additional logical time in a measure. @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] c4 \grace b16 a4( \grace { b16[ c16] } a2) @end lilypond There are three other types of grace notes possible; the @emph{acciaccatura} -- an unmeasured grace note indicated by a slurred note with a slashed stem -- and the @emph{appoggiatura}, which takes a fixed fraction of the main note it is attached to and prints without the slash. It is also possible to write a grace note with a slashed stem, like the @emph{acciaccatura} but without the slur, so as to place it between notes that are slurred themselves, using the @code{\slashedGrace} function. @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] \acciaccatura d8 c4 \appoggiatura e8 d4 \acciaccatura { g16[ f] } e2 \slashedGrace a,8 g4 \slashedGrace b16 a4( \slashedGrace b8 a2) @end lilypond The placement of grace notes is synchronized between different staves. In the following example, there are two sixteenth grace notes for every eighth grace note @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] << \new Staff { e2 \grace { c16[ d e f] } e2 } \new Staff { c2 \grace { g8[ b] } c2 } >> @end lilypond @cindex grace notes, following @funindex \afterGrace @funindex afterGrace If you want to end a note with a grace, use the @code{\afterGrace} command. It takes two arguments: the main note, and the grace notes following the main note. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] c1 \afterGrace d1 { c16[ d] } c1 @end lilypond This will put the grace notes after a space lasting 3/4 of the length of the main note. The default fraction 3/4 can be changed by setting @code{afterGraceFraction}. The following example shows the results from setting the space at the default, at 15/16, and finally at 1/2 of the main note. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] << \new Staff { c1 \afterGrace d1 { c16[ d] } c1 } \new Staff { #(define afterGraceFraction (cons 15 16)) c1 \afterGrace d1 { c16[ d] } c1 } \new Staff { #(define afterGraceFraction (cons 1 2)) c1 \afterGrace d1 { c16[ d] } c1 } >> @end lilypond The space between the main note and the grace note may also be specified using spacers. The following example places the grace note after a space lasting 7/8 of the main note. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \new Voice { << { d1^\trill_( } { s2 s4. \grace { c16[ d] } } >> c1) } @end lilypond @cindex tweaking grace notes @cindex grace notes, tweaking @cindex grace notes, changing layout settings A @code{\grace} music expression will introduce special typesetting settings, for example, to produce smaller type, and set directions. Hence, when introducing layout tweaks to override the special settings, they should be placed inside the grace expression. The overrides should also be reverted inside the grace expression. Here, the grace note's default stem direction is overridden and then reverted. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2] \new Voice { \acciaccatura { \stemDown f16-> \stemNeutral } g4 e c2 } @end lilypond @cindex stem, with slash @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,texidoc,doctitle] {using-grace-note-slashes-with-normal-heads.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,texidoc,doctitle] {tweaking-grace-layout-within-music.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,texidoc,doctitle] {redefining-grace-note-global-defaults.ly} @lilypondfile[verbatim,quote,texidoc,doctitle] {positioning-grace-notes-with-floating-space.ly} @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{grace notes}, @rglos{acciaccatura}, @rglos{appoggiatura}. Notation Reference: @ref{Scaling durations}, @ref{Manual beams}. Installed Files: @file{ly/grace-init.ly}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{GraceMusic}, @rinternals{Grace_beam_engraver}, @rinternals{Grace_engraver}, @rinternals{Grace_spacing_engraver}. @knownissues @cindex acciaccatura, multi-note @cindex multi-note acciaccatura @cindex grace-note synchronization A multi-note beamed @i{acciaccatura} is printed without a slash, and looks exactly the same as a multi-note beamed @i{appoggiatura}. @c TODO Add link to LSR snippet to add slash when available Grace note synchronization can also lead to surprises. Staff notation, such as key signatures, bar lines, etc., are also synchronized. Take care when you mix staves with grace notes and staves without, for example, @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] << \new Staff { e4 \bar ".|:" \grace c16 d2. } \new Staff { c4 \bar ".|:" d2. } >> @end lilypond @noindent This can be remedied by inserting grace skips of the corresponding durations in the other staves. For the above example @lilypond[quote,relative=2,verbatim] << \new Staff { e4 \bar ".|:" \grace c16 d2. } \new Staff { c4 \bar ".|:" \grace s16 d2. } >> @end lilypond The use of grace notes within voice contexts confuses the way the voice is typeset. This can be overcome by inserting a rest or note between the voice command and the grace note. @lilypond[quote,verbatim] accMusic = { \acciaccatura { f8 } e8 r8 \acciaccatura { f8 } e8 r4 } \new Staff { << \new Voice { \relative c'' { r8 r8 \voiceOne \accMusic \oneVoice r8 | r8 \voiceOne r8 \accMusic \oneVoice r8 | } } \new Voice { \relative c' { s8 s8 \voiceTwo \accMusic \oneVoice s8 | s8 \voiceTwo r8 \accMusic \oneVoice s8 | } } >> } @end lilypond Grace sections should only be used within sequential music expressions. Nesting or juxtaposing grace sections is not supported, and might produce crashes or other errors. Each grace note in MIDI output has a length of 1/4 of its actual duration. If the combined length of the grace notes is greater than the length of the preceding note a @qq{@code{Going back in MIDI time}} error will be generated. Either make the grace notes shorter in duration, for example: @example c'8 \acciaccatura @{ c'8[ d' e' f' g'] @} @end example becomes: @example c'8 \acciaccatura @{ c'16[ d' e' f' g'] @} @end example Or explicitly change the musical duration: @example c'8 \acciaccatura @{ \scaleDurations 1/2 @{ c'8[ d' e' f' g'] @} @} @end example See @ref{Scaling durations}. @node Aligning to cadenzas @unnumberedsubsubsec Aligning to cadenzas @cindex cadenza @cindex cadenza, aligning to @cindex aligning to cadenza In an orchestral context, cadenzas present a special problem: when constructing a score that includes a measured cadenza or other solo passage, all other instruments should skip just as many notes as the length of the cadenza, otherwise they will start too soon or too late. One solution to this problem is to use the functions @code{mmrest-of-length} and @code{skip-of-length}. These Scheme functions take a defined piece of music as an argument and generate a multi-measure rest or @code{\skip} exactly as long as the piece. @lilypond[verbatim,quote] MyCadenza = \relative c' { c4 d8 e f g g4 f2 g4 g } \new GrandStaff << \new Staff { \MyCadenza c'1 \MyCadenza c'1 } \new Staff { #(mmrest-of-length MyCadenza) c'1 #(skip-of-length MyCadenza) c'1 } >> @end lilypond @seealso Music Glossary: @rglos{cadenza}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. @node Time administration @unnumberedsubsubsec Time administration @cindex time administration @cindex timing (within the score) @cindex music, unmetered @cindex unmetered music @funindex currentBarNumber @funindex measurePosition @funindex measureLength Time is administered by the @code{Timing_translator}, which by default is to be found in the @code{Score} context. An alias, @code{Timing}, is added to the context in which the @code{Timing_translator} is placed. To ensure that the @code{Timing} alias is available, you may need to explicitly instantiate the containing context (such as @code{Voice} or @code{Staff}). The following properties of @code{Timing} are used to keep track of timing within the score. @cindex bar number @cindex measure number @table @code @item currentBarNumber The current measure number. For an example showing the use of this property see @ref{Bar numbers}. @item measureLength The length of the measures in the current time signature. For a 4/4 time this is@tie{}1, and for 6/8 it is 3/4. Its value determines when bar lines are inserted and how automatic beams should be generated. @item measurePosition The point within the measure where we currently are. This quantity is reset by subtracting @code{measureLength} whenever @code{measureLength} is reached or exceeded. When that happens, @code{currentBarNumber} is incremented. @item timing If set to true, the above variables are updated for every time step. When set to false, the engraver stays in the current measure indefinitely. @end table Timing can be changed by setting any of these variables explicitly. In the next example, the default 4/4 time signature is printed, but @code{measureLength} is set to 5/4. At 4/8 through the third measure, the @code{measurePosition} is advanced by 1/8 to 5/8, shortening that bar by 1/8. The next bar line then falls at 9/8 rather than 5/4. @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \new Voice \relative c' { \set Timing.measureLength = #(ly:make-moment 5/4) c1 c4 | c1 c4 | c4 c \set Timing.measurePosition = #(ly:make-moment 5/8) b4 b b8 | c4 c1 | } @end lilypond @noindent As the example illustrates, @code{ly:make-moment n m} constructs a duration of n/m of a whole note. For example, @code{ly:make-moment 1 8} is an eighth note duration and @code{ly:make-moment 7 16} is the duration of seven sixteenths notes. @seealso Notation Reference: @ref{Bar numbers}, @ref{Unmetered music}. Snippets: @rlsr{Rhythms}. Internals Reference: @rinternals{Timing_translator}, @rinternals{Score}.