1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
3 Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
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12 @node Fretted string instruments
13 @section Fretted string instruments
15 @lilypondfile[quote]{fretted-headword.ly}
17 This section discusses several aspects of music notation that are unique
18 to fretted string instruments.
21 @cindex tablature, guitar
22 @cindex tablature, banjo
23 @cindex guitar tablature
24 @cindex banjo tablature
27 * Common notation for fretted strings::
32 @node Common notation for fretted strings
33 @subsection Common notation for fretted strings
35 This section discusses common notation that is unique
36 to fretted string instruments.
39 * References for fretted strings::
40 * String number indications::
41 * Default tablatures::
43 * Fret diagram markups::
44 * Predefined fret diagrams::
45 * Automatic fret diagrams::
46 * Right-hand fingerings::
49 @node References for fretted strings
50 @unnumberedsubsubsec References for fretted strings
52 Music for fretted string instruments is normally notated on
53 a single staff, either in traditional music notation or in
54 tablature. Sometimes the two types are combined, and it is
55 especially common in popular music to use chord diagrams above
56 a staff of traditional notation. The guitar and the banjo are
57 transposing instruments, sounding an octave lower than written.
58 Scores for these instruments should use the @code{"treble_8"} clef (or
59 @code{\transposition c} to get correct MIDI output).
60 Some other elements pertinent to fretted string instruments
61 are covered elsewhere:
64 @item Fingerings are indicated as shown in @ref{Fingering instructions}.
66 @item Instructions for @notation{Laissez vibrer} ties
67 as well as ties on arpeggios and tremolos can be found in
70 @item Instructions for handling multiple voices can be found
71 in @ref{Collision resolution}.
73 @item Instructions for indicating harmonics can be found in
81 @ref{Fingering instructions},
83 @ref{Collision resolution},
84 @ref{Instrument names},
85 @ref{Writing music in parallel},
87 @ref{List of articulations},
89 @ref{Instrument transpositions}.
92 @node String number indications
93 @unnumberedsubsubsec String number indications
95 @cindex string numbers
96 @cindex string vs. fingering numbers
97 @cindex fingering vs. string numbers
99 The string on which a note should be played may be indicated by
100 appending @code{\@var{number}} to a note inside a chord construct
103 @warning{String numbers @strong{must} be defined inside a chord
104 construct even if there is only a single note.}
106 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=0]
112 When fingerings and string indications are used together, their
113 placement is controlled by the order in which the two items appear
116 @lilypond[verbatim,quote,relative=1]
124 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
125 {controlling-the-placement-of-chord-fingerings.ly}
127 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
128 {allowing-fingerings-to-be-printed-inside-the-staff.ly}
133 @ref{Fingering instructions}.
136 @rlsr{Fretted strings}.
139 @rinternals{StringNumber},
140 @rinternals{Fingering}.
143 @node Default tablatures
144 @unnumberedsubsubsec Default tablatures
146 @cindex tablatures, basic
147 @cindex tablatures, default
152 Music for plucked string instruments is frequently notated using a
153 finger/touch notation or tablature. In contrast to traditional
154 notation pitches are not denoted with note heads, but by numbers (or
155 letterlike symbols in historical intavolatura). The numbers
156 indicate on which string and fret a note must be played. The numbers
157 are printed on top of each other if they are to be played
160 By default, string 1 is the highest, and the tuning defaults to the
161 standard guitar tuning (with 6 strings). The notes are printed as
162 tablature, by using @code{TabStaff} and @code{TabVoice} contexts. A
163 calligraphic tablature clef is added automatically.
165 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
166 \new TabStaff \relative c' {
172 Default tablatures do not contain any symbols for tone duration nor any
173 other musical symbols such as e.g. expressive marks.
175 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
187 \new Staff { \clef "G_8" \symbols }
188 \new TabStaff { \symbols }
193 @funindex \tabFullNotation
195 If all musical symbols used in traditional notation should also show up
196 in tablature one has to apply the command @code{\tabFullNotation} in a
197 @code{TabStaff}-context. Please bear in mind that half notes are
198 double-stemmed in tablature in order to distinguish them from quarter
201 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
221 @funindex minimumFret
223 By default pitches are assigned to the lowest playing position on the
224 fret-board (first position). Open strings are automatically preferred.
225 If you would like a certain pitch to be played on a specific string
226 you can add a string number indication to the pitch name. If you
227 define pitch names and string numbers without a chord construct
228 (@code{<>}) the string number indications do not appear in traditional
229 notation. It is much more comfortable to define the playing position
230 by using the value of @code{minimumFret}. The default value for
234 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
236 \new Staff \relative c {
240 c,16\5 d\5 e\4 f\4 g4\4
243 \new TabStaff \relative c {
245 c,16\5 d\5 e\4 f\4 g4\4
246 \set TabStaff.minimumFret = #5
252 @funindex \tabChordRepetition
254 Chord constructs can be repeated by the chord repetition symbol @code{q}.
255 To use this feature in combination with tablature, @code{\tabChordRepetition}
256 is provided. It preserves the string information explicitly given within
257 chord constructs so repeated chords get identical tablature representations.
259 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
262 guitar = \relative c' {
263 r8 <gis\4 cis\3 b\2>~ q4 q8~ q q4
269 \override Voice.StringNumber #'transparent = ##t
279 Ties over a line break are parenthesized by default. The same holds for
280 the second alternative of a repeat.
282 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
283 ties = \relative c' {
290 { g4\repeatTie c,2. }
317 @funindex \hideSplitTiedTabNotes
319 The command @code{\hideSplitTiedTabNotes} cancels the behavior of
320 engraving fret numbers in parentheses:
322 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
323 ties = \relative c' {
329 { g4\repeatTie c,2. }
345 \hideSplitTiedTabNotes
357 @cindex harmonic indications in tablature notation
358 @cindex tablature and harmonic indications
359 @cindex slides in tablature notation
360 @cindex tablature and slides
362 Harmonic indications and slides can be added to tablature
365 @lilypond[verbatim, quote, relative=1]
368 <c g'\harmonic>4 d\2\glissando e\2
376 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
377 {stem-and-beam-behavior-in-tablature.ly}
379 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
380 {polyphony-in-tablature.ly}
388 @rlsr{Fretted strings}.
391 @rinternals{TabNoteHead},
392 @rinternals{TabStaff},
393 @rinternals{TabVoice},
399 Chords are not handled in a special way, and hence the automatic
400 string selector may easily select the same string for two notes in
403 In order to handle @code{\partcombine}, a @code{TabStaff} must use
404 specially-created voices:
406 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
407 melodia = \partcombine { e4 g g g } { e4 e e e }
410 \new TabVoice = "one" s1
411 \new TabVoice = "two" s1
412 \new TabVoice = "shared" s1
413 \new TabVoice = "solo" s1
419 Guitar special effects are limited to harmonics and slides.
421 @node Custom tablatures
422 @unnumberedsubsubsec Custom tablatures
424 @cindex tablatures, custom
425 @cindex tablature, banjo
426 @cindex tablature, mandolin
427 @cindex tablature, guitar
428 @cindex tablature, bass guitar
429 @cindex tablature, ukulele
430 @cindex tablature, predefined string tunings
431 @cindex fretted instruments, predefined string tunings
432 @cindex predefined string tunings for fretted instruments
433 @cindex tablature, violin
434 @cindex tablature, viola
435 @cindex tablature, cello
436 @cindex tablature, bass
437 @cindex tablature, double bass
439 @funindex StringTunings
441 LilyPond tabulature automatically calculates the fret for
442 a note based on the string to which the note is assigned.
443 In order to do this, the tuning of the strings must be
444 specified. The tuning of the strings is given in the
445 @code{stringTunings} property.
447 LilyPond comes with predefined string tunings for banjo, mandolin,
448 guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
449 LilyPond automatically sets
450 the correct transposition for predefined tunings. The following
451 example is for bass guitar, which sounds an octave lower than
454 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
463 \set TabStaff.stringTunings = #bass-tuning
471 The default string tuning is @code{guitar-tuning}, which
472 is the standard EADGBE tuning. Some other predefined tunings are
473 @code{guitar-open-g-tuning}, @code{mandolin-tuning} and
474 @code{banjo-open-g-tuning}. The predefined string tunings
475 are found in @file{ly/string-tuning-init.ly}.
477 @funindex contextStringTunings
478 @funindex \contextStringTunings
479 @cindex tablature, custom string tunings
480 @cindex custom string tunings
482 Any desired string tuning can be created. The
483 @code{\contextStringTuning} function can be
484 used to define a string tuning and set it as the
485 @code{stringTunings} for the current context.
486 @code{\contextStringTuning} takes two arguments: the
487 symbol in which the string tuning, and a chord construct
488 that defines the pitches of each string in the tuning.
489 The chord construct must be in absolute octave mode,
490 see @ref{Absolute octave entry}. The string
491 with the highest number (generally the lowest string) must
492 come first in the chord. For example, we can
493 define a string tuning for a four-string instrument with pitches
494 of @code{a''}, @code{d''}, @code{g'}, and @code{c'}:
496 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
509 \contextStringTuning #'custom-tuning <c' g' d'' a''>
515 The @code{stringTunings} property is also used by
516 @code{FretBoards} to calculate automatic fret diagrams.
518 @funindex makeStringTuning
519 @funindex \makeStringTuning
521 String tunings are used as part of the hash key
522 for predefined fret diagrams
523 (see @ref{Predefined fret diagrams}). The @code{\makeStringTuning}
524 function is used to create a string tuning without setting the
525 @code{stringTunings} property in the current context. The
526 arguments to @code{\makeStringTuning} are the symbol to be
527 used for the new string tuning and a chord construct used
528 to define the tuning.
529 The previous example could also be written as follows:
531 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
532 \makeStringTuning #'custom-tuning <c' g' d'' a''>
545 \set TabStaff.stringTunings = #custom-tuning
551 Internally, a string tuning is a Scheme list of string pitches,
552 one for each string, ordered by string number from 1 to N,
553 where string 1 is at the top of the tablature staff and
554 string N is at the bottom. This ordinarily results in ordering
555 from highest pitch to lowest pitch, but some instruments
556 (e.g. ukulele) do not have strings ordered by pitch.
558 A string pitch in a string tuning list is a LilyPond pitch
559 object. Pitch objects are created with the Scheme function
560 @code{ly:make-pitch} (see @ref{Scheme functions}).
562 If desired, a string tuning can be created as a Scheme
563 literal. The example below recreates the examples above,
564 but the string tuning is not saved as a separate object:
566 @lilypond[quote,verbatim]
578 \set TabStaff.stringTunings = #`(,(ly:make-pitch 1 5 0)
579 ,(ly:make-pitch 1 1 0)
580 ,(ly:make-pitch 0 4 0)
581 ,(ly:make-pitch 0 0 0))
587 LilyPond automatically calculates the number of strings in the
588 @code{TabStaff} and the number of strings in an automatically
589 calculated @code{FretBoard} as the number of elements
590 in @code{stringTunings}.
592 @cindex moderntab clef
593 @cindex clef, moderntab
597 A modern tab clef can also be used.
599 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
609 The modern tab clef supports tablatures from 4 to 7 strings.
613 @ref{Absolute octave entry},
614 @ref{Predefined fret diagrams},
615 @ref{Scheme functions}.
618 @file{ly/string-tuning-init.ly}
619 @file{scm/tablature.scm}.
622 @rlsr{Fretted strings}.
625 @rinternals{Tab_note_heads_engraver}.
628 Automatic tablature calculations do not work properly in most
629 cases for instruments where string pitches do not vary
630 monotonically with string number, such as ukuleles.
632 @node Fret diagram markups
633 @unnumberedsubsubsec Fret diagram markups
635 @cindex fret diagrams
636 @cindex chord diagrams
637 @cindex diagrams, fret
638 @cindex diagrams, chord for fretted instruments
639 @cindex fret diagrams, custom
640 @cindex custom fret diagrams
642 Fret diagrams can be added to music as a markup to the desired
643 note. The markup contains information about the desired fret
644 diagram. There are three different fret-diagram markup
645 interfaces: standard, terse, and verbose. The three interfaces
646 produce equivalent markups, but have varying amounts of
647 information in the markup string. Details about the
648 syntax of the different markup strings used to define
649 fret diagrams are found at @ref{Instrument Specific Markup}.
651 The standard fret diagram markup string indicates the string
652 number and the fret number for each dot to be placed on the string.
653 In addition, open and unplayed (muted) strings can be indicated.
655 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
657 \context ChordNames {
664 <c e g c' e'>1^\markup {
665 \fret-diagram #"6-x;5-3;4-2;3-o;2-1;1-o;"
667 <d a d' f'>1^\markup {
668 \fret-diagram #"6-x;5-x;4-o;3-2;2-3;1-1;"
674 @cindex barre indications
676 Barre indications can be added to the diagram from
677 the fret-diagram markup string.
679 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
681 \context ChordNames {
688 <f, c f a c' f'>1^\markup {
689 \fret-diagram #"c:6-1-1;6-1;5-3;4-3;3-2;2-1;1-1;"
691 <g, d g b d' g'>1^\markup {
692 \fret-diagram #"c:6-1-3;6-3;5-5;4-5;3-4;2-3;1-3;"
698 @cindex fret-diagram markup
701 @funindex fret-diagram
702 @funindex \fret-diagram
704 The size of the fret diagram, and the number of frets in the diagram
705 can be changed in the fret-diagram markup string.
707 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
709 \context ChordNames {
716 <f, c f a c' f'>1^\markup {
717 \fret-diagram #"s:1.5;c:6-1-1;6-1;5-3;4-3;3-2;2-1;1-1;"
719 <g, b, d g b g'>1^\markup {
720 \fret-diagram #"h:6;6-3;5-2;4-o;3-o;2-o;1-3;"
726 The number of strings in a fret diagram can be changed to accommodate
727 different instruments such as banjos and ukuleles with the fret-diagram
730 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
732 \context ChordNames {
738 % An 'A' chord for ukulele
740 \fret-diagram #"w:4;4-2-2;3-1-1;2-o;1-o;"
746 Fingering indications can be added, and the location of fingering labels
747 can be controlled by the fret-diagram markup string.
749 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
751 \context ChordNames {
758 <c e g c' e'>1^\markup {
759 \fret-diagram #"f:1;6-x;5-3-3;4-2-2;3-o;2-1-1;1-o;"
761 <d a d' f'>1^\markup {
762 \fret-diagram #"f:2;6-x;5-x;4-o;3-2-2;2-3-3;1-1-1;"
768 Dot radius and dot position can be controlled with the fret-diagram
771 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
773 \context ChordNames {
780 <c e g c' e'>1^\markup {
781 \fret-diagram #"d:0.35;6-x;5-3;4-2;3-o;2-1;1-o;"
783 <d a d' f'>1^\markup {
784 \fret-diagram #"p:0.2;6-x;5-x;4-o;3-2;2-3;1-1;"
790 @cindex fret-diagram-terse markup
792 @funindex fret-diagram-terse
793 @funindex \fret-diagram-terse
795 The fret-diagram-terse markup string omits string numbers; the string
796 number is implied by the presence of semicolons. There is one semicolon
797 for each string in the diagram. The first semicolon corresponds to the
798 highest string number and the last semicolon corresponds to the first string.
799 Mute strings, open strings, and fret numbers can be indicated.
801 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
803 \context ChordNames {
810 <c e g c' e'>1^\markup {
811 \fret-diagram-terse #"x;3;2;o;1;o;"
813 <d a d' f'>1^\markup {
814 \fret-diagram-terse #"x;x;o;2;3;1;"
820 Barre indicators can be included in the fret-diagram-terse markup string.
822 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
824 \context ChordNames {
831 <f, c f a c' f'>1^\markup {
832 \fret-diagram-terse #"1-(;3;3;2;1;1-);"
834 <g, d g b d' g'>1^\markup {
835 \fret-diagram-terse #"3-(;5;5;4;3;3-);"
841 Fingering indications can be included in the fret-diagram-terse markup string.
843 @c Need to use override to enable fingerings to show this -- can we do so?
844 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
846 \context ChordNames {
852 \override Voice.TextScript
853 #'(fret-diagram-details finger-code) = #'below-string
855 <c e g c' e'>1^\markup {
856 \fret-diagram-terse #"x;3-3;2-2;o;1-1;o;"
858 <d a d' f'>1^\markup {
859 \fret-diagram-terse #"x;x;o;2-2;3-3;1-1;"
865 Other fret diagram properties must be adjusted using @code{\override} when using
866 the fret-diagram-terse markup.
868 @cindex fret-diagram-verbose markup
871 @funindex fret-diagram-verbose
872 @funindex \fret-diagram-verbose
874 The fret-diagram-verbose markup string is in the format of a Scheme list. Each
875 element of the list indicates an item to be placed on the fret diagram.
877 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
879 \context ChordNames {
886 <c e g c' e'>1^\markup {
887 \fret-diagram-verbose #'(
896 <d a d' f'>1^\markup {
897 \fret-diagram-verbose #'(
910 Fingering indications and barres can be included in a
911 fret-diagram-verbose markup string. Unique to the
912 fret-diagram-verbose interface is a capo indication that
913 can be placed on the fret diagram. The capo indication is
914 a thick bar that covers all strings. The fret with the
915 capo will be the lowest fret in the fret diagram.
917 @c \override is necessary to make fingering visible
918 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
920 \context ChordNames {
927 \override Voice.TextScript
928 #'(fret-diagram-details finger-code) = #'below-string
929 <f, c f a c' f'>1^\markup {
930 \fret-diagram-verbose #'(
940 <g, b, d g b g'>1^\markup {
941 \fret-diagram-verbose #'(
950 <c e g c' e'>1^\markup {
951 \fret-diagram-verbose #'(
963 All other fret diagram properties must be adjusted using @code{\override}
964 when using the fret-diagram-verbose markup.
967 The following example shows the three fret-diagram markup
968 interfaces, along with examples of common tweaks. For example,
969 the size of the verbose fret diagram is reduced to 0.75, and the
970 finger indications are specified to appear below the diagram. The
971 terse diagram includes tweaks to specify placement of finger code
974 @lilypond[verbatim,ragged-right,quote]
978 \fret-diagram #"6-x;5-x;4-o;3-2;2-3;1-2;"
982 \override #'(size . 0.75) {
983 \override #'(finger-code . below-string) {
984 \fret-diagram-verbose #'((place-fret 6 2 1) (barre 6 1 2)
995 \override #'(dot-radius . 0.35) {
996 \override #'(finger-code . in-dot) {
997 \override #'(dot-color . white) {
998 \fret-diagram-terse #"x;3-1-(;5-2;5-3;5-4;3-1-);"
1008 @cindex customized fret diagram
1009 @cindex fret diagram, customized
1010 @cindex diagram, fret, customized
1012 @funindex fret-diagram-interface
1014 The graphical layout of a fret diagram can be customized according to
1015 user preference through the properties of the @code{fret-diagram-interface}.
1016 Details are found at @rinternals{fret-diagram-interface}. For a fret diagram
1017 markup, the interface properties belong to @code{Voice.TextScript}.
1021 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
1022 {changing-fret-orientations.ly}
1024 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
1025 {customizing-markup-fret-diagrams.ly}
1029 @ref{Instrument Specific Markup}.
1032 @rlsr{Fretted strings}.
1034 Internals Reference:
1035 @rinternals{fret-diagram-interface}.
1038 @node Predefined fret diagrams
1039 @unnumberedsubsubsec Predefined fret diagrams
1042 @cindex fret diagrams
1043 @cindex fret diagrams, ukulele
1044 @cindex chord diagrams
1046 @funindex FretBoards
1047 @funindex stringTunings
1049 Fret diagrams can be displayed using the @code{FretBoards} context. By
1050 default, the @code{FretBoards} context will display fret diagrams that
1051 are stored in a lookup table:
1053 @lilypond[verbatim, ragged-right, quote]
1054 \include "predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly"
1055 \context FretBoards {
1062 The default predefined fret diagrams are contained in the file
1063 @file{predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly}. Fret diagrams are
1064 stored based on the pitches of a chord and the value of
1065 @code{stringTunings} that is currently in use.
1066 @file{predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly} contains predefined
1067 fret diagrams only for @code{guitar-tuning}. Predefined fret
1068 diagrams can be added for other instruments or other tunings
1069 by following the examples found in
1070 @file{predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly}.
1072 Fret diagrams for the ukulele are contained in the file
1073 @file{predefined-ukulele-fretboards.ly}.
1075 @lilypond[verbatim, ragged-right, quote]
1076 \include "predefined-ukulele-fretboards.ly"
1078 myChords = \chordmode { a1 a:m a:aug }
1085 \set stringTunings = #ukulele-tuning
1090 Chord pitches can be entered
1091 either as simultaneous music or using chord mode (see
1092 @ref{Chord mode overview}).
1094 @lilypond[verbatim, ragged-right,quote]
1095 \include "predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly"
1096 \context FretBoards {
1102 @cindex chord names with fret diagrams
1103 @cindex fret diagrams with chord names
1105 @funindex ChordNames
1107 @funindex \chordmode
1109 It is common that both chord names and fret diagrams are displayed together.
1110 This is achieved by putting a @code{ChordNames} context in parallel with
1111 a @code{FretBoards} context and giving both contexts the same music.
1113 @lilypond[verbatim, ragged-right, quote]
1114 \include "predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly"
1115 mychords = \chordmode{
1120 \context ChordNames {
1123 \context FretBoards {
1129 @cindex transposing fret diagrams
1130 @cindex fret diagrams, transposing
1131 @cindex diagrams, fret, transposing
1133 Predefined fret diagrams are transposable, as long as a diagram for the
1134 transposed chord is stored in the fret diagram table.
1136 @lilypond[verbatim, ragged-right, quote]
1137 \include "predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly"
1138 mychords = \chordmode{
1144 \transpose c e { \mychords }
1147 \context ChordNames {
1150 \context FretBoards {
1157 The predefined fret diagram table for guitar contains eight chords (major, minor,
1158 augmented, diminished, dominant seventh, major seventh, minor seventh, dominant ninth)
1159 for each of 17 keys.
1160 The predefined fret diagram table for ukulele contains these chords
1161 plus an additional three chords (major sixth, suspended second, and
1163 A complete list of the predefined fret diagrams is
1164 shown in @ref{Predefined fretboard diagrams}. If there is no entry in
1165 the table for a chord, the FretBoards engraver will calculate a
1166 fret-diagram using the automatic fret diagram functionality described in
1167 @ref{Automatic fret diagrams}.
1169 @lilypond[verbatim, ragged-right, quote]
1170 \include "predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly"
1171 mychords = \chordmode{
1176 \context ChordNames {
1179 \context FretBoards {
1185 @cindex fret diagrams, adding custom
1186 @cindex custom fret diagrams, adding
1187 @cindex adding custom fret diagrams
1189 Fret diagrams can be added to the fret diagram table. To add a diagram,
1190 you must specify the hash table for the diagram, the chord for the
1191 diagram, the tuning to be used, and
1192 a definition for the diagram. Normally, the hash table will be
1193 @var{default-fret-table}. The diagram definition can be either a
1194 fret-diagram-terse definition string or a fret-diagram-verbose
1197 @lilypond[verbatim, ragged-right, quote]
1198 \include "predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly"
1200 \storePredefinedDiagram #default-fret-table
1201 \chordmode { c:maj9 }
1205 mychords = \chordmode {
1210 \context ChordNames {
1213 \context FretBoards {
1219 Different fret diagrams for the same chord name can be stored using different
1220 octaves of pitches. The different octave should be at least two octaves
1221 above or below the default octave, because the octaves above and below the
1222 default octave are used for transposing fretboards.
1224 @lilypond[verbatim, ragged-right, quote]
1225 \include "predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly"
1227 \storePredefinedDiagram #default-fret-table
1230 #(offset-fret 2 (chord-shape 'bes guitar-tuning))
1232 mychords = \chordmode {
1237 \context ChordNames {
1240 \context FretBoards {
1246 @cindex fretted instruments, chord shapes
1247 @cindex chord shapes for fretted instruments
1249 @funindex \addChordShape
1250 @funindex addChordShape
1251 @funindex storePredefinedDiagram
1252 @funindex \storePredefinedDiagram
1254 In addition to fret diagrams, LilyPond stores an internal list of chord
1255 shapes. The chord shapes are fret diagrams that can be shifted along
1256 the neck to different positions to provide different chords. Chord
1257 shapes can be added to the internal list and then used to define
1258 predefined fret diagrams. Because they can be moved to various
1259 positions on the neck, chord shapes will normally not contain
1260 any open strings. Like fret diagrams, chord shapes can be
1261 entered as either fret-diagram-terse strings or fret-diagram-verbose
1264 @lilypond[verbatim, ragged-right, quote]
1265 \include "predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly"
1267 % Add a new chord shape
1269 \addChordShape #'powerf #guitar-tuning #"1-1;3-3;3-4;x;x;x;"
1271 % add some new chords based on the power chord shape
1273 \storePredefinedDiagram #default-fret-table
1276 #(chord-shape 'powerf guitar-tuning)
1277 \storePredefinedDiagram #default-fret-table
1280 #(offset-fret 2 (chord-shape 'powerf guitar-tuning))
1282 mychords = \chordmode{
1287 \context ChordNames {
1290 \context FretBoards {
1296 The graphical layout of a fret diagram can be customized according to
1297 user preference through the properties of the @code{fret-diagram-interface}.
1298 Details are found at @rinternals{fret-diagram-interface}. For a
1299 predefined fret diagram, the interface properties belong to
1300 @code{FretBoards.FretBoard}.
1304 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
1305 {customizing-fretboard-fret-diagrams.ly}
1307 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
1308 {defining-predefined-fretboards-for-other-instruments.ly}
1310 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
1311 {chordchanges-for-fretboards.ly}
1313 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
1314 {fretboards-alternate-tables.ly}
1319 @ref{Custom tablatures},
1320 @ref{Automatic fret diagrams},
1321 @ref{Chord mode overview},
1322 @ref{Predefined fretboard diagrams}.
1325 @file{ly/predefined-guitar-fretboards.ly},
1326 @file{ly/predefined-guitar-ninth-fretboards.ly},
1327 @file{ly/predefined-ukulele-fretboards.ly}.
1330 @rlsr{Fretted strings}.
1332 Internals Reference:
1333 @rinternals {fret-diagram-interface}.
1336 @node Automatic fret diagrams
1337 @unnumberedsubsubsec Automatic fret diagrams
1339 @cindex fret diagrams, automatic
1340 @cindex chord diagrams, automatic
1341 @cindex automatic fret diagrams
1342 @cindex automatic chord diagrams
1344 Fret diagrams can be automatically created from entered notes using the
1345 @code{FretBoards} context. If no predefined diagram is available for
1346 the entered notes in the active @code{stringTunings}, this context
1347 calculates strings and frets that can be used to play the notes.
1349 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
1351 \context ChordNames {
1356 \context FretBoards {
1368 @funindex predefinedFretboardsOff
1369 @funindex \predefinedFretboardsOff
1370 @funindex predefinedFretboardsOn
1371 @funindex \predefinedFretboardsOn
1373 As no predefined diagrams are loaded by default, automatic calculation
1374 of fret diagrams is the default behavior. Once default diagrams are
1375 loaded, automatic calculation can be enabled and disabled with predefined
1378 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
1380 \storePredefinedDiagram #default-fret-table
1383 #"x;3-1-(;5-2;5-3;5-4;3-1-1-);"
1385 \context ChordNames {
1390 \context FretBoards {
1392 \predefinedFretboardsOff
1394 \predefinedFretboardsOn
1408 Sometimes the fretboard calculator will be unable to find
1409 an acceptable diagram. This can often be remedied by
1410 manually assigning a note to a string. In many cases, only one
1411 note need be manually placed on a string; the rest of
1412 the notes will then be placed appropriately by the @code{FretBoards}
1415 @cindex fret diagrams, adding fingerings
1416 @cindex fingerings, adding to fret diagrams
1418 Fingerings can be added to FretBoard fret diagrams.
1420 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
1422 \context ChordNames {
1427 \context FretBoards {
1428 <c-3 e-2 g c'-1 e'>1
1439 @funindex minimumFret
1441 The minimum fret to be used in calculating strings and frets for
1442 the FretBoard context can be set with the @code{minimumFret}
1445 @lilypond[quote, verbatim]
1447 \context ChordNames {
1452 \context FretBoards {
1454 \set FretBoards.minimumFret = #5
1465 The strings and frets for the @code{FretBoards} context depend
1466 on the @code{stringTunings} property, which has the same meaning
1467 as in the TabStaff context. See @ref{Custom tablatures} for
1468 information on the @code{stringTunings} property.
1470 The graphical layout of a fret diagram can be customized according to
1471 user preference through the properties of the @code{fret-diagram-interface}.
1472 Details are found at @rinternals{fret-diagram-interface}. For a
1473 @code{FretBoards} fret diagram, the interface properties belong to
1474 @code{FretBoards.FretBoard}.
1478 @code{\predefinedFretboardsOff},
1479 @code{\predefinedFretboardsOn}.
1485 @ref{Custom tablatures}.
1488 @rlsr{Fretted strings}.
1490 Internals Reference:
1491 @rinternals {fret-diagram-interface}.
1494 Automatic fretboard calculations do not work properly for instruments
1495 with non-monotonic tunings.
1498 @node Right-hand fingerings
1499 @unnumberedsubsubsec Right-hand fingerings
1501 @cindex fretted instruments, right hand fingerings
1502 @cindex fingerings, right hand for fretted instruments
1503 @cindex right hand fingerings for fretted instruments
1505 @funindex rightHandFinger
1506 @funindex \rightHandFinger
1508 Right-hand fingerings @var{p-i-m-a} must be entered within a
1509 chord construct @code{<>} for them to be printed in the score,
1510 even when applied to a single note.
1512 @warning{There @strong{must} be a hyphen before
1513 @code{@bs{}rightHandFinger} and a space before the closing @code{>}.}
1515 @lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=0]
1517 <c-\rightHandFinger #1 >4
1518 <e-\rightHandFinger #2 >
1519 <g-\rightHandFinger #3 >
1520 <c-\rightHandFinger #4 >
1521 <c,-\rightHandFinger #1 e-\rightHandFinger #2
1522 g-\rightHandFinger #3 c-\rightHandFinger #4 >1
1525 For convenience, you can abbreviate @code{\rightHandFinger} to something
1526 short, for example @code{RH},
1529 #(define RH rightHandFinger)
1535 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
1536 {placement-of-right-hand-fingerings.ly}
1538 @lilypondfile[verbatim,lilyquote,texidoc,doctitle]
1539 {fingerings,-string-indications,-and-right-hand-fingerings.ly}
1544 @rlsr{Fretted strings}.
1546 Internals Reference:
1547 @rinternals{StrokeFinger}.
1553 Most of the notational issues associated with guitar music are
1554 covered sufficiently in the general fretted strings section, but there
1555 are a few more worth covering here. Occasionally users want to
1556 create songbook-type documents having only lyrics with chord
1557 indications above them. Since LilyPond is a music typesetter,
1558 it is not recommended for documents that have no music notation
1559 in them. A better alternative is a word processor, text editor,
1560 or, for experienced users, a typesetter like GuitarTeX.
1563 * Indicating position and barring::
1564 * Indicating harmonics and dampened notes::
1565 * Indicating power chords::
1568 @node Indicating position and barring
1569 @unnumberedsubsubsec Indicating position and barring
1571 @cindex indicating position and barring for fretted instruments
1572 @cindex fretted instruments, indicating position and barring
1574 This example demonstrates how to include guitar position and
1575 barring indications.
1577 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim,relative=0]
1581 \override TextSpanner #'(bound-details left text) = #"XII "
1583 b16 e g e b g\stopTextSpan
1590 @ref{Text spanners}.
1593 @rlsr{Fretted strings},
1594 @rlsr{Expressive marks}.
1597 @node Indicating harmonics and dampened notes
1598 @unnumberedsubsubsec Indicating harmonics and dampened notes
1600 @cindex fretted instruments, dampened notes
1601 @cindex fretted instruments, harmonics
1602 @cindex dampened notes on fretted instruments
1603 @cindex harmonics on fretted instruments
1605 Special note heads can be used to indicate dampened notes or
1606 harmonics. Harmonics are normally further explained with a
1609 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
1612 \override Staff.NoteHead #'style = #'harmonic-mixed
1613 d^\markup { \italic { \fontsize #-2 { "harm. 12" }}} <g b>1
1617 Dampened notes (also called @notation{dead notes}) are supported
1618 within normal and tablature staves:
1620 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
1621 music = \relative c' {
1622 < a\3 \deadNote c\2 a'\1 >4
1623 < b\3 \deadNote d\2 b'\1 >
1624 < c\3 \deadNote e\2 c'\1 >
1626 \times 2/3 { g8 b e }
1641 Another playing technique (especially used on electric guitars) is
1642 called @notation{palm mute}. The string is hereby partly muted by the
1643 palm of the striking hand (hence the name). Lilypond supports
1644 the notation of palm mute-style notes by changing the note head to a
1647 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
1648 \new Voice { % Warning: explicit Voice instantiation is
1649 % required to have palmMuteOff work properly
1650 % when palmMuteOn comes at the beginning of
1655 e8^\markup { \musicglyph #"noteheads.u2do" = palm mute }
1658 e e \palmMute e e e |
1659 e8 \palmMute { e e e } e e e e |
1660 < \palmMute e b' e >8 \palmMute { e e e } < \palmMute e b' e >2
1667 @rlsr{Fretted strings}.
1670 @ref{Special note heads},
1671 @ref{Note head styles}.
1674 @node Indicating power chords
1675 @unnumberedsubsubsec Indicating power chords
1677 @funindex powerChords
1678 @funindex \powerChords
1680 @cindex power chords
1681 @cindex chords, power
1683 Power chords and their symbols can be engraved in chord mode or as chord
1686 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
1687 ChordsAndSymbols = {
1692 \set minimumFret = #8
1696 \set minimumFret = #5
1716 Power chord symbols are automatically switched off as soon as one of the
1717 other common chord modifier is used:
1719 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
1720 mixedChords = \chordmode {
1745 @rglos{power chord}.
1748 @ref{Extended and altered chords},
1749 @ref{Printing chord names}.
1752 @rlsr{Fretted strings}.
1759 * Banjo tablatures::
1762 @node Banjo tablatures
1763 @unnumberedsubsubsec Banjo tablatures
1765 @cindex banjo tablatures
1766 @cindex tablature, banjo
1768 LilyPond has basic support for the five-string banjo. When making tablatures
1769 for five-string banjo, use the banjo tablature format function to get
1770 correct fret numbers for the fifth string:
1772 @c due to crazy intervals of banjo music, absolute pitch is recommended
1774 @lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
1776 \set TabStaff.tablatureFormat = #fret-number-tablature-format-banjo
1777 \set TabStaff.stringTunings = #banjo-open-g-tuning
1780 g8 d' g'\5 a b g e d' |
1781 g4 d''8\5 b' a'\2 g'\5 e'\2 d' |
1787 @cindex banjo tunings
1788 @cindex tunings, banjo
1790 @funindex banjo-c-tuning
1791 @funindex banjo-modal-tuning
1792 @funindex banjo-open-d-tuning
1793 @funindex banjo-open-dm-tuning
1794 @funindex four-string-banjo
1796 A number of common tunings for banjo are predefined in LilyPond:
1797 @code{banjo-c-tuning} (gCGBD), @code{banjo-modal-tuning} (gDGCD),
1798 @code{banjo-open-d-tuning} (aDF#AD) and @code{banjo-open-dm-tuning}
1801 These tunings may be converted to four-string banjo tunings using the
1802 @code{four-string-banjo} function:
1805 \set TabStaff.stringTunings = #(four-string-banjo banjo-c-tuning)
1811 @rlsr{Fretted strings}.
1814 @file{scm/output-lib.scm} contains predefined banjo tunings.