@c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*- @c This file is part of lilypond.tely @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. See TRANSLATION for details. @end ignore @c \version "2.11.61" @node General input and output @chapter General input and output This section deals with general LilyPond input and output issues, rather than specific notation. @menu * Input structure:: * Titles and headers:: * Working with input files:: * Controlling output:: * MIDI output:: @end menu @node Input structure @section Input structure The main format of input for LilyPond are text files. By convention, these files end with @code{.ly}. @menu * Structure of a score:: * Multiple scores in a book:: * File structure:: @end menu @node Structure of a score @subsection Structure of a score @funindex \score A @code{\score} block must contain a single music expression delimited by curly brackets: @example \score @{ ... @} @end example @warning{There must be @strong{only one} outer music expression in a @code{\score} block, and it @strong{must} be surrounded by curly brackets.} This single music expression may be of any size, and may contain other music expressions to any complexity. All of these examples are music expressions: @example @{ c'4 c' c' c' @} @end example @lilypond[verbatim,quote] { { c'4 c' c' c'} { d'4 d' d' d'} } @end lilypond @lilypond[verbatim,quote] << \new Staff { c'4 c' c' c' } \new Staff { d'4 d' d' d' } >> @end lilypond @example @{ \new GrandStaff << \new StaffGroup << \new Staff @{ \flute @} \new Staff @{ \oboe @} >> \new StaffGroup << \new Staff @{ \violinI @} \new Staff @{ \violinII @} >> >> @} @end example Comments are one exception to this general rule. (For others see @ref{File structure}.) Both single-line comments and comments delimited by @code{%@{ .. %@}} may be placed anywhere within an input file. They may be placed inside or outside a @code{\score} block, and inside or outside the single music expression within a @code{\score} block. @seealso Learning Manual: @rlearning{Working on input files}, @rlearning{Music expressions explained}, @rlearning{Score is a (single) compound musical expression}. @node Multiple scores in a book @subsection Multiple scores in a book @funindex \book @cindex movements, multiple A document may contain multiple pieces of music and text. Examples of these are an etude book, or an orchestral part with multiple movements. Each movement is entered with a @code{\score} block, @example \score @{ @var{..music..} @} @end example and texts are entered with a @code{\markup} block, @example \markup @{ @var{..text..} @} @end example @funindex \book All the movements and texts which appear in the same @code{.ly} file will normally be typeset in the form of a single output file. @example \score @{ @var{..} @} \markup @{ @var{..} @} \score @{ @var{..} @} @end example However, if you want multiple output files from the same @code{.ly} file, then you can add multiple @code{\book} blocks, where each such @code{\book} block will result in a separate output. If you do not specify any @code{\book} block in the file, LilyPond will implicitly treat the full file as a single @code{\book} block, see @ref{File structure}. One important exception is within lilypond-book documents, where you explicitly have to add a @code{\book} block, otherwise only the first @code{\score} or @code{\markup} will appear in the output. The header for each piece of music can be put inside the @code{\score} block. The @code{piece} name from the header will be printed before each movement. The title for the entire book can be put inside the @code{\book}, but if it is not present, the @code{\header} which is at the top of the file is inserted. @example \header @{ title = "Eight miniatures" composer = "Igor Stravinsky" @} \score @{ @dots{} \header @{ piece = "Romanze" @} @} \markup @{ ..text of second verse.. @} \markup @{ ..text of third verse.. @} \score @{ @dots{} \header @{ piece = "Menuetto" @} @} @end example @node File structure @subsection File structure @funindex \paper @funindex \midi @funindex \layout @funindex \header @funindex \score @funindex \book A @code{.ly} file may contain any number of toplevel expressions, where a toplevel expression is one of the following: @itemize @bullet @item An output definition, such as @code{\paper}, @code{\midi}, and @code{\layout}. Such a definition at the toplevel changes the default book-wide settings. If more than one such definition of the same type is entered at the top level any definitions in the later expressions have precedence. @item A direct scheme expression, such as @code{#(set-default-paper-size "a7" 'landscape)} or @code{#(ly:set-option 'point-and-click #f)}. @item A @code{\header} block. This sets the global header block. This is the block containing the definitions for book-wide settings, like composer, title, etc. @item A @code{\score} block. This score will be collected with other toplevel scores, and combined as a single @code{\book}. This behavior can be changed by setting the variable @code{toplevel-score-handler} at toplevel. The default handler is defined in the init file @file{../scm/@/lily@/.scm}. @item A @code{\book} block logically combines multiple movements (i.e., multiple @code{\score} blocks) in one document. If there are a number of @code{\score}s, one output file will be created for each @code{\book} block, in which all corresponding movements are concatenated. The only reason to explicitly specify @code{\book} blocks in a @code{.ly} file is if you wish to create multiple output files from a single input file. One exception is within lilypond-book documents, where you explicitly have to add a @code{\book} block if you want more than a single @code{\score} or @code{\markup} in the same example. This behavior can be changed by setting the variable @code{toplevel-book-handler} at toplevel. The default handler is defined in the init file @file{../scm/@/lily@/.scm}. @item A compound music expression, such as @example @{ c'4 d' e'2 @} @end example This will add the piece in a @code{\score} and format it in a single book together with all other toplevel @code{\score}s and music expressions. In other words, a file containing only the above music expression will be translated into @example \book @{ \score @{ \new Staff @{ \new Voice @{ @{ c'4 d' e'2 @} @} @} @} \layout @{ @} \header @{ @} @} @end example This behavior can be changed by setting the variable @code{toplevel-music-handler} at toplevel. The default handler is defined in the init file @file{../scm/@/lily@/.scm}. @item A markup text, a verse for example @example \markup @{ 2. The first line verse two. @} @end example Markup texts are rendered above, between or below the scores or music expressions, wherever they appear. @cindex variables @item A variable, such as @example foo = @{ c4 d e d @} @end example This can be used later on in the file by entering @code{\foo}. The name of a variable should have alphabetic characters only; no numbers, underscores or dashes. @end itemize The following example shows three things that may be entered at toplevel @example \layout @{ % Don't justify the output ragged-right = ##t @} \header @{ title = "Do-re-mi" @} @{ c'4 d' e2 @} @end example At any point in a file, any of the following lexical instructions can be entered: @itemize @item @code{\version} @item @code{\include} @item @code{\sourcefilename} @item @code{\sourcefileline} @item A single-line comment, introduced by a leading @code{%} sign. @item A multi-line comment delimited by @code{%@{ .. %@}}. @end itemize @seealso Learning Manual: @rlearning{How LilyPond input files work}. @node Titles and headers @section Titles and headers Almost all printed music includes a title and the composer's name; some pieces include a lot more information. @menu * Creating titles:: * Custom titles:: * Reference to page numbers:: * Table of contents:: @end menu @node Creating titles @subsection Creating titles Titles are created for each @code{\score} block, as well as for the full input file (or @code{\book} block). The contents of the titles are taken from the @code{\header} blocks. The header block for a book supports the following @table @code @funindex dedication @item dedication The dedicatee of the music, centered at the top of the first page. @funindex title @item title The title of the music, centered just below the dedication. @funindex subtitle @item subtitle Subtitle, centered below the title. @funindex subsubtitle @item subsubtitle Subsubtitle, centered below the subtitle. @funindex poet @item poet Name of the poet, flush-left below the subsubtitle. @funindex instrument @item instrument Name of the instrument, centered below the subsubtitle. Also centered at the top of pages (other than the first page). @funindex composer @item composer Name of the composer, flush-right below the subsubtitle. @funindex meter @item meter Meter string, flush-left below the poet. @funindex arranger @item arranger Name of the arranger, flush-right below the composer. @funindex piece @item piece Name of the piece, flush-left below the meter. @funindex opus @item opus Name of the opus, flush-right below the arranger. @cindex page breaks, forcing @funindex breakbefore @item breakbefore This forces the title to start on a new page (set to ##t or ##f). @funindex copyright @item copyright Copyright notice, centered at the bottom of the first page. To insert the copyright symbol, see @ref{Text encoding}. @funindex tagline @item tagline Centered at the bottom of the last page. @end table Here is a demonstration of the fields available. Note that you may use any @ref{Formatting text}, commands in the header. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,line-width=11.0\cm] \paper { line-width = 9.0\cm paper-height = 10.0\cm } \book { \header { dedication = "dedicated to me" title = \markup \center-column { "Title first line" "Title second line, longer" } subtitle = "the subtitle," subsubtitle = #(string-append "subsubtitle LilyPond version " (lilypond-version)) poet = "Poet" composer = \markup \center-column { "composer" \small "(1847-1973)" } texttranslator = "Text Translator" meter = \markup { \teeny "m" \tiny "e" \normalsize "t" \large "e" \huge "r" } arranger = \markup { \fontsize #8.5 "a" \fontsize #2.5 "r" \fontsize #-2.5 "r" \fontsize #-5.3 "a" \fontsize #7.5 "nger" } instrument = \markup \bold \italic "instrument" piece = "Piece" } \score { { c'1 } \header { piece = "piece1" opus = "opus1" } } \markup { and now... } \score { { c'1 } \header { piece = "piece2" opus = "opus2" } } } @end lilypond As demonstrated before, you can use multiple @code{\header} blocks. When same fields appear in different blocks, the latter is used. Here is a short example. @example \header @{ composer = "Composer" @} \header @{ piece = "Piece" @} \score @{ \new Staff @{ c'4 @} \header @{ piece = "New piece" % overwrite previous one @} @} @end example If you define the @code{\header} inside the @code{\score} block, then normally only the @code{piece} and @code{opus} headers will be printed. Note that the music expression must come before the @code{\header}. @lilypond[quote,verbatim,line-width=11.0\cm] \score { { c'4 } \header { title = "title" % not printed piece = "piece" opus = "opus" } } @end lilypond @funindex print-all-headers @noindent You may change this behavior (and print all the headers when defining @code{\header} inside @code{\score}) by using @example \paper@{ print-all-headers = ##t @} @end example @cindex copyright @cindex tagline The default footer is empty, except for the first page, where the @code{copyright} field from @code{\header} is inserted, and the last page, where @code{tagline} from @code{\header} is added. The default tagline is @qq{Music engraving by LilyPond (@var{version})}.@footnote{Nicely printed parts are good PR for us, so please leave the tagline if you can.} Headers may be completely removed by setting them to false. @example \header @{ tagline = ##f composer = ##f @} @end example @node Custom titles @subsection Custom titles A more advanced option is to change the definitions of the following variables in the @code{\paper} block. The init file @file{../ly/titling-init.ly} lists the default layout. @table @code @funindex bookTitleMarkup @item bookTitleMarkup This is the title added at the top of the entire output document. Typically, it has the composer and the title of the piece @funindex scoreTitleMarkup @item scoreTitleMarkup This is the title put over a @code{\score} block. Typically, it has the name of the movement (@code{piece} field). @funindex oddHeaderMarkup @item oddHeaderMarkup This is the page header for odd-numbered pages. @funindex evenHeaderMarkup @item evenHeaderMarkup This is the page header for even-numbered pages. If unspecified, the odd header is used instead. By default, headers are defined such that the page number is on the outside edge, and the instrument is centered. @funindex oddFooterMarkup @item oddFooterMarkup This is the page footer for odd-numbered pages. @funindex evenFooterMarkup @item evenFooterMarkup This is the page footer for even-numbered pages. If unspecified, the odd header is used instead. By default, the footer has the copyright notice on the first, and the tagline on the last page. @end table @cindex \paper @cindex header @cindex footer @cindex page layout @cindex titles The following definition will put the title flush left, and the composer flush right on a single line. @verbatim \paper { bookTitleMarkup = \markup { \fill-line { \fromproperty #'header:title \fromproperty #'header:composer } } } @end verbatim @node Reference to page numbers @subsection Reference to page numbers A particular place of a score can be marked using the @code{\label} command, either at top-level or inside music. This label can then be referred to in a markup, to get the number of the page where the marked point is placed, using the @code{\page-ref} markup command. @lilypond[verbatim,line-width=11.0\cm] \header { tagline = ##f } \book { \label #'firstScore \score { { c'1 \pageBreak \mark A \label #'markA c' } } \markup { The first score begins on page \page-ref #'firstScore "0" "?" } \markup { Mark A is on page \page-ref #'markA "0" "?" } } @end lilypond The @code{\page-ref} markup command takes three arguments: @enumerate @item the label, a scheme symbol, eg. @code{#'firstScore}; @item a markup that will be used as a gauge to estimate the dimensions of the markup; @item a markup that will be used in place of the page number if the label is not known; @end enumerate The reason why a gauge is needed is that, at the time markups are interpreted, the page breaking has not yet occurred, so the page numbers are not yet known. To work around this issue, the actual markup interpretation is delayed to a later time; however, the dimensions of the markup have to be known before, so a gauge is used to decide these dimensions. If the book has between 10 and 99 pages, it may be "00", ie. a two digit number. @predefined @funindex \label @code{\label} @funindex \page-ref @code{\page-ref} @node Table of contents @subsection Table of contents A table of contents is included using the @code{\markuplines \table-of-contents} command. The elements which should appear in the table of contents are entered with the @code{\tocItem} command, which may be used either at top-level, or inside a music expression. @verbatim \markuplines \table-of-contents \pageBreak \tocItem \markup "First score" \score { { c' % ... \tocItem \markup "Some particular point in the first score" d' % ... } } \tocItem \markup "Second score" \score { { e' % ... } } @end verbatim The markups which are used to format the table of contents are defined in the @code{\paper} block. The default ones are @code{tocTitleMarkup}, for formatting the title of the table, and @code{tocItemMarkup}, for formatting the toc elements, composed of the element title and page number. These variables may be changed by the user: @verbatim \paper { %% Translate the toc title into French: tocTitleMarkup = \markup \huge \column { \fill-line { \null "Table des matières" \null } \hspace #1 } %% use larger font size tocItemMarkup = \markup \large \fill-line { \fromproperty #'toc:text \fromproperty #'toc:page } } @end verbatim Note how the toc element text and page number are referred to in the @code{tocItemMarkup} definition. New commands and markups may also be defined to build more elaborated table of contents: @itemize @item first, define a new markup variable in the @code{\paper} block @item then, define a music function which aims at adding a toc element using this markup paper variable. @end itemize In the following example, a new style is defined for entering act names in the table of contents of an opera: @verbatim \paper { tocActMarkup = \markup \large \column { \hspace #1 \fill-line { \null \italic \fromproperty #'toc:text \null } \hspace #1 } } tocAct = #(define-music-function (parser location text) (markup?) (add-toc-item! 'tocActMarkup text)) @end verbatim @lilypond[line-width=11.0\cm] \header { tagline = ##f } \paper { tocActMarkup = \markup \large \column { \hspace #1 \fill-line { \null \italic \fromproperty #'toc:text \null } \hspace #1 } } tocAct = #(define-music-function (parser location text) (markup?) (add-toc-item! 'tocActMarkup text)) \book { \markuplines \table-of-contents \tocAct \markup { Atto Primo } \tocItem \markup { Coro. Viva il nostro Alcide } \tocItem \markup { Cesare. Presti omai l'Egizzia terra } \tocAct \markup { Atto Secondo } \tocItem \markup { Sinfonia } \tocItem \markup { Cleopatra. V'adoro, pupille, saette d'Amore } \markup \null } @end lilypond @seealso Init files: @file{../ly/@/toc@/-init@/.ly}. @predefined @funindex \table-of-contents @code{\table-of-contents} @funindex \tocItem @code{\tocItem} @node Working with input files @section Working with input files @menu * Including LilyPond files:: * Different editions from one source:: * Text encoding:: * Displaying LilyPond notation:: @end menu @node Including LilyPond files @subsection Including LilyPond files @funindex \include @cindex including files A large project may be split up into separate files. To refer to another file, use @example \include "otherfile.ly" @end example The line @code{\include "otherfile.ly"} is equivalent to pasting the contents of @file{otherfile.ly} into the current file at the place where the @code{\include} appears. For example, in a large project you might write separate files for each instrument part and create a @qq{full score} file which brings together the individual instrument files. Normally the included file will define a number of variables which then become available for use in the full score file. Tagged sections can be marked in included files to assist in making them usable in different places in a score, see @ref{Different editions from one source}. Files in the current working directory may be referenced by specifying just the file name after the @code{\include} command. Files in other locations may be included by giving either a full path reference or a relative path reference (but use the UNIX forward slash, /, rather than the DOS/Windows back slash, \, as the directory separator.) For example, if @file{stuff.ly} is located one directory higher than the current working directory, use @example \include "../stuff.ly" @end example @noindent or if the included orchestral parts files are all located in a subdirectory called @file{parts} within the current directory, use @example \include "parts/VI.ly" \include "parts/VII.ly" ... etc @end example Files which are to be included can also contain @code{\include} statements of their own. These second-level @code{\include} statements are not interpreted until they have been brought into the main file, so the file names they specify must all be relative to the directory containing the main file, not the directory containing the included file. Files can also be included from a directory in a search path specified as an option when invoking LilyPond from the command line. The included files are then specified using just their file name. For example, to compile @file{main.ly} which includes files located in a subdirectory called @file{parts} by this method, cd to the directory containing @file{main.ly} and enter @example lilypond --include=parts main.ly @end example and in main.ly write @example \include "VI.ly" \include "VII.ly" ... etc @end example Files which are to be included in many scores may be placed in the LilyPond directory @file{../ly}. (The location of this directory is installation-dependent - see @rlearning{Other sources of information}). These files can then be included simply by naming them on an @code{\include} statement. This is how the language-dependent files like @file{english.ly} are included. LilyPond includes a number of files by default when you start the program. These includes are not apparent to the user, but the files may be identified by running @code{lilypond --verbose} from the command line. This will display a list of paths and files that LilyPond uses, along with much other information. Alternatively, the more important of these files are discussed in @rlearning{Other sources of information}. These files may be edited, but changes to them will be lost on installing a new version of LilyPond. Some simple examples of using @code{\include} are shown in @rlearning{Scores and parts}. @seealso Learning Manual: @rlearning{Other sources of information}, @rlearning{Scores and parts}. @knownissues If an included file is given a name which is the same as one in LilyPond's installation files, LilyPond's file from the installation files takes precedence. @node Different editions from one source @subsection Different editions from one source Several mechanisms are available to facilitate the generation of different versions of a score from the same music source. Variables are perhaps most useful for combining lengthy sections of music and/or annotation in various ways, while tags are more useful for selecting one from several alternative shorter sections of music. Whichever method is used, separating the notation from the structure of the score will make it easier to change the structure while leaving the notation untouched. @menu * Using variables:: * Using tags:: @end menu @node Using variables @unnumberedsubsubsec Using variables @cindex variables, use of If sections of the music are defined in variables they can be reused in different parts of the score, see @rlearning{Organizing pieces with variables}. For example, an @notation{a cappella} vocal score frequently includes a piano reduction of the parts for rehearsal purposes which is identical to the vocal music, so the music need be entered only once. Music from two variables may be combined on one staff, see @ref{Automatic part combining}. Here is an example: @lilypond[verbatim,quote] sopranoMusic = \relative c'' { a4 b c b8( a)} altoMusic = \relative g' { e4 e e f } tenorMusic = \relative c' { c4 b e d8( c) } bassMusic = \relative c' { a4 gis a d, } allLyrics = \lyricmode {King of glo -- ry } << \new Staff = "Soprano" \sopranoMusic \new Lyrics \allLyrics \new Staff = "Alto" \altoMusic \new Lyrics \allLyrics \new Staff = "Tenor" { \clef "treble_8" \tenorMusic } \new Lyrics \allLyrics \new Staff = "Bass" { \clef "bass" \bassMusic } \new Lyrics \allLyrics \new PianoStaff << \new Staff = "RH" { \set Staff.printPartCombineTexts = ##f \partcombine \sopranoMusic \altoMusic } \new Staff = "LH" { \set Staff.printPartCombineTexts = ##f \clef "bass" \partcombine \tenorMusic \bassMusic } >> >> @end lilypond Separate scores showing just the vocal parts or just the piano part can be produced by changing just the structural statements, leaving the musical notation unchanged. For lengthy scores, the variable definitions may be placed in separate files which are then included, see @ref{Including LilyPond files}. @node Using tags @unnumberedsubsubsec Using tags @funindex \tag @funindex \keepWithTag @funindex \removeWithTag @cindex tag @cindex keep tagged music @cindex remove tagged music The @code{\tag #'@var{partA}} command marks a music expression with the name @var{partA}. Expressions tagged in this way can be selected or filtered out by name later, using either @code{\keepWithTag #'@var{name}} or @code{\removeWithTag #'@var{name}}. The result of applying these filters to tagged music is as follows: @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5 @headitem Filter @tab Result @item Tagged music preceded by @code{\keepWithTag #'@var{name}} @tab Untagged music and music tagged with @var{name} is included; music tagged with any other tag name is excluded. @item Tagged music preceded by @code{\removeWithTag #'@var{name}} @tab Untagged music and music tagged with any tag name other than @var{name} is included; music tagged with @var{name} is excluded. @item Tagged music not preceded by either @code{\keepWithTag} or @code{\removeWithTag} @tab All tagged and untagged music is included. @end multitable The arguments of the @code{\tag}, @code{\keepWithTag} and @code{\removeWithTag} commands should be a symbol (such as @code{#'score} or @code{#'part}), followed by a music expression. In the following example, we see two versions of a piece of music, one showing trills with the usual notation, and one with trills explicitly expanded: @lilypond[verbatim,quote] music = \relative g' { g8. c32 d \tag #'trills {d8.\trill } \tag #'expand {\repeat unfold 3 {e32 d} } c32 d } \score { \keepWithTag #'trills \music } \score { \keepWithTag #'expand \music } @end lilypond @noindent Alternatively, it is sometimes easier to exclude sections of music: @lilypond[verbatim,quote] music = \relative g' { g8. c32 d \tag #'trills {d8.\trill } \tag #'expand {\repeat unfold 3 {e32 d} } c32 d } \score { \removeWithTag #'expand \music } \score { \removeWithTag #'trills \music } @end lilypond Tagged filtering can be applied to articulations, texts, etc. by prepending @example -\tag #'@var{your-tag} @end example to an articulation. For example, this would define a note with a conditional fingering indication and a note with a conditional annotation: @example c1-\tag #'finger ^4 c1-\tag #'warn ^"Watch!" @end example Multiple tags may be placed on expressions with multiple @code{\tag} entries: @lilypond[quote,verbatim] music = \relative c'' { \tag #'a \tag #'both { a a a a } \tag #'b \tag #'both { b b b b } } << \keepWithTag #'a \music \keepWithTag #'b \music \keepWithTag #'both \music >> @end lilypond Multiple @code{\removeWithTag} filters may be applied to a single music expression to remove several differently named tagged sections: @lilypond[verbatim,quote] music = \relative c'' { \tag #'A { a a a a } \tag #'B { b b b b } \tag #'C { c c c c } \tag #'D { d d d d } } { \removeWithTag #'B \removeWithTag #'C \music } @end lilypond Two or more @code{\keepWithTag} filters applied to a single music expression will cause @emph{all} tagged sections to be removed, as the first filter will remove all tagged sections except the one named, and the second filter will remove even that tagged section. @seealso Learning Manual: @rlearning{Organizing pieces with variables}. Notation Reference: @ref{Automatic part combining}, @ref{Including LilyPond files}. @ignore @c This warning is more general than this placement implies. @c Rests are not merged whether or not they come from tagged sections. @c Should be deleted? -td @knownissues Multiple rests are not merged if you create a score with more than one tagged section at the same place. @end ignore @node Text encoding @subsection Text encoding LilyPond uses the character repertoire defined by the Unicode consortium and ISO/IEC 10646. This defines a unique name and code point for the character sets used in virtually all modern languages and many others too. Unicode can be implemented using several different encodings. LilyPond uses the UTF-8 encoding (UTF stands for Unicode Transformation Format) which represents all common Latin characters in one byte, and represents other characters using a variable length format of up to four bytes. The actual appearance of the characters is determined by the glyphs defined in the particular fonts available - a font defines the mapping of a subset of the Unicode code points to glyphs. LilyPond uses the Pango library to layout and render multi-lingual texts. Lilypond does not perform any input-encoding conversions. This means that any text, be it title, lyric text, or musical instruction containing non-ASCII characters, must be encoded in UTF-8. The easiest way to enter such text is by using a Unicode-aware editor and saving the file with UTF-8 encoding. Most popular modern editors have UTF-8 support, for example, vim, Emacs, jEdit, and GEdit do. All MS Windows systems later than NT use Unicode as their native character encoding, so even Notepad can edit and save a file in UTF-8 format. A more functional alternative for Windows is BabelPad. If a LilyPond input file containing a non-ASCII character is not saved in UTF-8 format the error message @example FT_Get_Glyph_Name () error: invalid argument @end example will be generated. Here is an example showing Cyrillic, Hebrew and Portuguese text: @lilypond[quote] %c No verbatim here as the code does not display correctly in PDF % Cyrillic bulgarian = \lyricmode { Жълтата дюля беше щастлива, че пухът, който цъфна, замръзна като гьон. } % Hebrew hebrew = \lyricmode { זה כיף סתם לשמוע איך תנצח קרפד עץ טוב בגן. } % Portuguese portuguese = \lyricmode { à vo -- cê uma can -- ção legal } \relative { c2 d e f g f e } \addlyrics { \bulgarian } \addlyrics { \hebrew } \addlyrics { \portuguese } @end lilypond To enter a single character for which the Unicode escape sequence is known but which is not available in the editor being used, enter @example #(ly:export (ly:wide-char->utf-8 #x03BE)) @end example where in this example @code{x03BE} is the hexadecimal code for the Unicode U+03BE character, which has the Unicode name @qq{Greek Small Letter Xi}. Any Unicode hexadecimal code may be substituted, and if all special characters are entered in this format it is not necessary to save the input file in UTF-8 format. @knownissues The @code{ly:export} format may be used in text within @code{\mark} or @code{\markup} commands but not in lyrics. @node Displaying LilyPond notation @subsection Displaying LilyPond notation @funindex \displayLilyMusic Displaying a music expression in LilyPond notation can be done using the music function @code{\displayLilyMusic}. For example, @example @{ \displayLilyMusic \transpose c a, @{ c e g a bes @} @} @end example will display @example @{ a, cis e fis g @} @end example By default, LilyPond will print these messages to the console along with all the other messages. To split up these messages and save the results of @code{\display@{STUFF@}}, redirect the output to a file. @c TODO What happens under Windows? @example lilypond file.ly >display.txt @end example @node Controlling output @section Controlling output @menu * Extracting fragments of music:: * Skipping corrected music:: @end menu @node Extracting fragments of music @subsection Extracting fragments of music It is possible to quote small fragments of a large score directly from the output. This can be compared to clipping a piece of a paper score with scissors. This is done by defining the measures that need to be cut out separately. For example, including the following definition @verbatim \layout { clip-regions = #(list (cons (make-rhythmic-location 5 1 2) (make-rhythmic-location 7 3 4))) } @end verbatim @noindent will extract a fragment starting halfway the fifth measure, ending in the seventh measure. The meaning of @code{5 1 2} is: after a 1/2 note in measure 5, and @code{7 3 4} after 3 quarter notes in measure 7. More clip regions can be defined by adding more pairs of rhythmic-locations to the list. In order to use this feature, LilyPond must be invoked with @code{-dclip-systems}. The clips are output as EPS files, and are converted to PDF and PNG if these formats are switched on as well. For more information on output formats, see @rprogram{Invoking lilypond}. @node Skipping corrected music @subsection Skipping corrected music @funindex skipTypesetting @funindex showLastLength When entering or copying music, usually only the music near the end (where you are adding notes) is interesting to view and correct. To speed up this correction process, it is possible to skip typesetting of all but the last few measures. This is achieved by putting @verbatim showLastLength = R1*5 \score { ... } @end verbatim @noindent in your source file. This will render only the last 5 measures (assuming 4/4 time signature) of every @code{\score} in the input file. For longer pieces, rendering only a small part is often an order of magnitude quicker than rendering it completely Skipping parts of a score can be controlled in a more fine-grained fashion with the property @code{Score.skipTypesetting}. When it is set, no typesetting is performed at all. This property is also used to control output to the MIDI file. Note that it skips all events, including tempo and instrument changes. You have been warned. @lilypond[quote,fragment,ragged-right,verbatim] \relative c'' { c8 d \set Score.skipTypesetting = ##t e e e e e e e e \set Score.skipTypesetting = ##f c d b bes a g c2 } @end lilypond In polyphonic music, @code{Score.skipTypesetting} will affect all voices and staves, saving even more time. @node MIDI output @section MIDI output @cindex Sound @cindex MIDI MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard for connecting and controlling digital instruments. A MIDI file is a series of notes in a number of tracks. It is not an actual sound file; you need special software to translate between the series of notes and actual sounds. Pieces of music can be converted to MIDI files, so you can listen to what was entered. This is convenient for checking the music; octaves that are off or accidentals that were mistyped stand out very much when listening to the MIDI output. @c TODO Check this The midi output allocates a channel for each staff, and one for global settings. Therefore the midi file should not have more than 15 staves (or 14 if you do not use drums). Other staves will remain silent. @menu * Creating MIDI files:: * MIDI block:: * What goes into the MIDI output?:: * Repeats in MIDI:: * Controlling MIDI dynamics:: * Percussion in MIDI:: @end menu @node Creating MIDI files @subsection Creating MIDI files To create a MIDI output file from a LilyPond input file, add a @code{\midi} block to a score, for example, @example \score @{ @var{...music...} \midi @{ @} @} @end example If there is a @code{\midi} block in a @code{\score} with no @code{\layout} block, only MIDI output will be produced. When notation is needed too, a @code{\layout} block must be also be present. @example \score @{ @var{...music...} \midi @{ @} \layout @{ @} @} @end example Pitches, rhythms, ties, dynamics, and tempo changes are interpreted and translated correctly to the MIDI output. Dynamic marks, crescendi and decrescendi translate into MIDI volume levels. Dynamic marks translate to a fixed fraction of the available MIDI volume range. Crescendi and decrescendi make the volume vary linearly between their two extremes. The effect of dynamic markings on the MIDI output can be removed completely, see @ref{MIDI block}. The initial tempo and later tempo changes can be specified with the @code{\tempo} command within the music notation. These are reflected in tempo changes in the MIDI output. This command will normally result in the metronome mark being printed, but this can be suppressed, see @ref{Metronome marks}. An alternative way of specifying the inital or overall MIDI tempo is described below, see @ref{MIDI block}. @unnumberedsubsubsec Instrument names @cindex instrument names @funindex Staff.midiInstrument The MIDI instrument to be used is specified by setting the @code{Staff.midiInstrument} property to the instrument name. The name should be chosen from the list in @ref{MIDI instruments}. @example \new Staff @{ \set Staff.midiInstrument = "glockenspiel" @var{...notes...} @} @end example @example \new Staff \with @{midiInstrument = "cello"@} @{ @var{...notes...} @} @end example If the selected instrument does not exactly match an instrument from the list of MIDI instruments, the Grand Piano (@code{"acoustic grand"}) instrument is used. @snippets @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,ragged-right,texidoc,doctitle] {changing-midi-output-to-one-channel-per-voice.ly} @knownissues @c In 2.11 the following no longer seems to be a problem -td @ignore Unterminated (de)crescendos will not render properly in the midi file, resulting in silent passages of music. The workaround is to explicitly terminate the (de)crescendo. For example, @example @{ a\< b c d\f @} @end example @noindent will not work properly but @example @{ a\< b c d\!\f @} @end example @noindent will. @end ignore Changes in the MIDI volume take place only on starting a note, so crescendi and decrescendi cannot affect the volume of a single note. Not all midi players correctly handle tempo changes in the midi output. Players that are known to work include MS Windows Media Player and @uref{http://@/timidity@/.sourceforge@/.net/,timidity}. @node MIDI block @subsection MIDI block @cindex MIDI block A @code{\midi} block must appear within a score block if MIDI output is required. It is analogous to the layout block, but somewhat simpler. Often, the @code{\midi} block is left empty, but it can contain context rearrangements, new context definitions or code to set the values of properties. For example, the following will set the initial tempo exported to a MIDI file without causing a tempo indication to be printed: @example \score @{ @var{...music...} \midi @{ \context @{ \Score tempoWholesPerMinute = #(ly:make-moment 72 4) @} @} @} @end example In this example the tempo is set to 72 quarter note beats per minute. This kind of tempo specification cannot take a dotted note length as an argument. If one is required, break the dotted note into smaller units. For example, a tempo of 90 dotted quarter notes per minute can be specified as 270 eighth notes per minute: @example tempoWholesPerMinute = #(ly:make-moment 270 8) @end example @cindex MIDI context definitions Context definitions follow precisely the same syntax as those within a @code{\layout} block. Translation modules for sound are called performers. The contexts for MIDI output are defined in @file{../ly/@/performer@/-init@/.ly}, see @rlearning{Other sources of information}. For example, to remove the effect of dynamics from the MIDI output, insert the following lines in the @code{\midi@{ @}} block. @example \midi @{ ... \context @{ \Voice \remove "Dynamic_performer" @} @} @end example MIDI output is created only when a @code{\midi} block is included within a score block defined with a @code{\score} command. If it is placed within an explicitly instantiated score context (i.e. within a @code{\new Score} block) the file will fail. To solve this, enclose the @code{\new Score} and the @code{\midi} commands in a @code{\score} block. @example \score @{ \new Score @{ @dots{}notes@dots{} @} \midi @{ @} @} @end example @node What goes into the MIDI output? @subsection What goes into the MIDI output? @c TODO Check grace notes - timing is suspect? @unnumberedsubsubsec Supported in MIDI @cindex Pitches in MIDI @cindex MIDI, Pitches @cindex Quarter tones in MIDI @cindex MIDI, quarter tones @cindex Microtones in MIDI @cindex MIDI, microtones @cindex Chord names in MIDI @cindex MIDI, chord names @cindex Rhythms in MIDI @cindex MIDI, Rhythms @c TODO etc The following items of notation are reflected in the MIDI output: @itemize @item Pitches @item Quarter tones (See @ref{Accidentals}. Rendering needs a player that supports pitch bend.) @item Chords entered as chord names @item Rhythms entered as note durations, including tuplets @item Tremolos entered without @q{@code{:}[@var{number}]} @item Ties @item Dynamic marks @item Crescendi, decrescendi over multiple notes @item Tempo changes entered with a tempo marking @end itemize @unnumberedsubsubsec Unsupported in MIDI @c TODO index as above The following items of notation have no effect on the MIDI output: @itemize @item Rhythms entered as annotations, e.g. swing @item Tempo changes entered as annotations with no tempo marking @item Staccato and other articulations and ornamentations @item Slurs and Phrasing slurs @item Crescendi, decrescendi over a single note @item Tremolos entered with @q{@code{:}[@var{number}]} @item Figured bass @c TODO Check Lyrics @item Lyrics @end itemize @node Repeats in MIDI @subsection Repeats in MIDI @cindex repeats in MIDI @funindex \unfoldRepeats With a few minor additions, all types of repeats can be represented in the MIDI output. This is achieved by applying the @code{\unfoldRepeats} music function. This function changes all repeats to unfold repeats. @lilypond[quote,verbatim] \unfoldRepeats { \repeat tremolo 8 {c'32 e' } \repeat percent 2 { c''8 d'' } \repeat volta 2 {c'4 d' e' f'} \alternative { { g' a' a' g' } {f' e' d' c' } } } \bar "|." @end lilypond When creating a score file using @code{\unfoldRepeats} for MIDI, it is necessary to make two @code{\score} blocks: one for MIDI (with unfolded repeats) and one for notation (with volta, tremolo, and percent repeats). For example, @example \score @{ @var{..music..} \layout @{ .. @} @} \score @{ \unfoldRepeats @var{..music..} \midi @{ .. @} @} @end example @node Controlling MIDI dynamics @subsection Controlling MIDI dynamics MIDI dynamics are implemented by the Dynamic_performer which lives by default in the Voice context. It is possible to control the overall MIDI volume, the relative volume of dynamic markings and the relative volume of different instruments. @unnumberedsubsubsec Dynamic marks Dynamic marks are translated to a fixed fraction of the available MIDI volume range. The default fractions range from 0.25 for @notation{ppppp} to 0.95 for @notation{fffff}. The set of dynamic marks and the associated fractions can be seen in @file{../scm/midi.scm}, see @rlearning{Other sources of information}. This set of fractions may be changed or extended by providing a function which takes a dynamic mark as its argument and returns the required fraction, and setting @code{Score.dynamicAbsoluteVolumeFunction} to this function. For example, if a @notation{rinforzando} dynamic marking, @code{\rfz}, is required, this will not by default have any effect on the MIDI volume, as this dynamic marking is not included in the default set. Similarly, if a new dynamic marking has been defined with @code{make-dynamic-script} that too will not be included in the default set. The following example shows how the MIDI volume for such dynamic markings might be added. The Scheme function sets the fraction to 0.9 if a dynamic mark of rfz is found, or calls the default function otherwise. @lilypond[verbatim,quote] #(define (myDynamics dynamic) (if (equal? dynamic "rfz") 0.9 (default-dynamic-absolute-volume dynamic))) \score { \new Staff { \set Staff.midiInstrument = "cello" \set Score.dynamicAbsoluteVolumeFunction = #myDynamics \new Voice { \relative c'' { a\pp b c-\rfz } } } \layout {} \midi {} } @end lilypond Alternatively, if the whole table of fractions needs to be redefined, it would be better to use the @notation{default-dynamic-absolute-volume} procedure in @file{../scm/midi.scm} and the associated table as a model. The final example in this section shows how this might be done. @unnumberedsubsubsec Overall MIDI volume The minimum and maximum overall volume of MIDI dynamic markings is controlled by setting the properties @code{midiMinimumVolume} and @code{midiMaximumVolume} at the @code{Score} level. These properties have an effect only on dynamic marks, so if they are to apply from the start of the score a dynamic mark must be placed there. The fraction corresponding to each dynamic mark is modified with this formula @example midiMinimumVolume + (midiMaximumVolume - midiMinimumVolume) * fraction @end example In the following example the dynamic range of the overall MIDI volume is limited to the range 0.2 - 0.5. @lilypond[verbatim,quote] \score { << \new Staff { \key g \major \time 2/2 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"flute" \new Voice \relative c''' { r2 g\mp g fis ~ fis4 g8 fis e2 ~ e4 d8 cis d2 } } \new Staff { \key g \major \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"clarinet" \new Voice \relative c'' { b1\p a2. b8 a g2. fis8 e fis2 r } } >> \layout { } \midi { \context { \Score tempoWholesPerMinute = #(ly:make-moment 72 2) midiMinimumVolume = #0.2 midiMaximumVolume = #0.5 } } } @end lilypond @unnumberedsubsubsec Equalizing different instruments (i) If the minimum and maximum MIDI volume properties are set in the @code{Staff} context the relative volumes of the MIDI instruments can be controlled. This gives a basic instrument equalizer, which can enhance the quality of the MIDI output remarkably. In this example the volume of the clarinet is reduced relative to the volume of the flute. There must be a dynamic mark on the first note of each instrument for this to work correctly. @lilypond[verbatim,quote] \score { << \new Staff { \key g \major \time 2/2 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"flute" \set Staff.midiMinimumVolume = #0.7 \set Staff.midiMaximumVolume = #0.9 \new Voice \relative c''' { r2 g\mp g fis ~ fis4 g8 fis e2 ~ e4 d8 cis d2 } } \new Staff { \key g \major \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"clarinet" \set Staff.midiMinimumVolume = #0.3 \set Staff.midiMaximumVolume = #0.6 \new Voice \relative c'' { b1\p a2. b8 a g2. fis8 e fis2 r } } >> \layout { } \midi { \context { \Score tempoWholesPerMinute = #(ly:make-moment 72 2) } } } @end lilypond @unnumberedsubsubsec Equalizing different instruments (ii) If the MIDI minimum and maximum volume properties are not set LilyPond will, by default, apply a small degree of equalization to a few instruments. The instruments and the equalization applied are shown in the table @notation{instrument-equalizer-alist} in @file{../scm/midi.scm}. This basic default equalizer can be replaced by setting @code{instrumentEqualizer} in the @code{Score} context to a new Scheme procedure which accepts a MIDI instrument name as its only argument and returns a pair of fractions giving the minimum and maximum volumes to be applied to that instrument. This replacement is done in the same way as shown for resetting the @code{dynamicAbsoluteVolumeFunction} at the start of this section. The default equalizer, @notation{default-instrument-equalizer}, in @file{../scm/midi.scm} shows how such a procedure might be written. The following example sets the relative flute and clarinet volumes to the same values as the previous example. @lilypond[verbatim,quote] #(define my-instrument-equalizer-alist '()) #(set! my-instrument-equalizer-alist (append '( ("flute" . (0.7 . 0.9)) ("clarinet" . (0.3 . 0.6))) my-instrument-equalizer-alist)) #(define (my-instrument-equalizer s) (let ((entry (assoc s my-instrument-equalizer-alist))) (if entry (cdr entry)))) \score { << \new Staff { \key g \major \time 2/2 \set Score.instrumentEqualizer = #my-instrument-equalizer \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"flute" \new Voice \relative c''' { r2 g\mp g fis ~ fis4 g8 fis e2 ~ e4 d8 cis d2 } } \new Staff { \key g \major \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"clarinet" \new Voice \relative c'' { b1\p a2. b8 a g2. fis8 e fis2 r } } >> \layout { } \midi { \context { \Score tempoWholesPerMinute = #(ly:make-moment 72 2) } } } @end lilypond @ignore @c Delete when satisfied this is adequately covered elsewhere -td @n ode Microtones in MIDI @s ubsection Microtones in MIDI @cindex microtones in MIDI Microtones consisting of half sharps and half flats are exported to the MIDI file and render correctly in MIDI players which support pitch bending. See @ref{Note names in other languages}. Here is an example showing all the half sharps and half flats. It can be copied out and compiled to test microtones in your MIDI player. @lilypond[verbatim,quote] \score { \relative c' { c cih cis cisih d dih ees eeh e eih f fih fis fisih g gih gis gisih a aih bes beh b bih } \layout {} \midi {} } @end lilypond @end ignore @node Percussion in MIDI @subsection Percussion in MIDI Percussion instruments are generally notated in a @code{DrumStaff} context and when notated in this way they are outputted correctly to MIDI channel@tie{}10, but some pitched percussion instruments, like the xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, timpani, etc., are treated like @qq{normal} instruments and music for these instruments should be entered in a normal @code{Staff} context, not a @code{DrumStaff} context, to obtain the correct MIDI output. Some non-pitched percussion sounds included in the general MIDI standard, like melodic tom, taiko drum, synth drum, etc., cannot be reached via MIDI channel@tie{}10, so the notation for such instruments should also be entered in a normal @code{Staff} context, using suitable normal pitches. Many percussion instruments are not included in the general MIDI standard, e.g. castanets. The easiest, although unsatisfactory, method of producing some MIDI output when writing for such instruments is to substitute the nearest sound from the standard set. @c TODO Expand with examples, and any other issues @knownissues Because the general MIDI standard does not contain rim shots, the sidestick is used for this purpose instead.