example serves as a useful starting place.
@funindex \book
-@funindex book
@funindex \score
-@funindex score
@cindex book
@cindex score
@end example
@funindex \header
-@funindex header
@funindex \layout
-@funindex layout
@funindex \midi
-@funindex midi
@cindex header
@cindex layout
@cindex midi
@cindex book block, implicit
@cindex implicit book block
@funindex \book
-@funindex book
You may code multiple @code{\score} blocks. Each will be
treated as a separate score, but they will be all combined into
@subsection Score is a (single) compound musical expression
@funindex \score
-@funindex score
@cindex score
@cindex contents of a score block
@cindex score block, contents of
inserted beam and end before the end of the beam -- not very
musical, perhaps, but possible:
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right,relative=2]
-g8\( a b[ c b\) a] g4
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+\relative { g'8\( a b[ c b\) a] g4 }
@end lilypond
In general, different kinds of brackets, bracket-like constructs,
extending into a tuplet, a tie crossing two tuplets, and a
phrasing slur extending out of a tuplet (lines 3 and 4).
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right,relative=1]
-r16[ g \tuplet 3/2 { r16 e'8] }
-g,16( a \tuplet 3/2 { b16 d) e }
-g,8[( a \tuplet 3/2 { b8 d) e~] } |
-\tuplet 5/4 { e32\( a, b d e } a4.\)
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+\relative {
+ r16[ g' \tuplet 3/2 { r16 e'8] }
+ g,16( a \tuplet 3/2 { b16 d) e }
+ g,8[( a \tuplet 3/2 { b8 d) e~] } |
+ \tuplet 5/4 { e32\( a, b d e } a4.\)
+}
@end lilypond
so when exactly are multiple voices needed? Look first at
this example of four chords:
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right,relative=1]
-\key g \major
-<d g>4 <d fis> <d a'> <d g>
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+\relative {
+ \key g \major
+ <d' g>4 <d fis> <d a'> <d g>
+}
@end lilypond
This can be expressed using just the single angle bracket chord
Here's how we split the chords above into two voices and add both
the passing note and a slur:
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right,relative=2]
-\key g \major
-% Voice "1" Voice "2"
-<< { g4 fis8( g) a4 g } \\ { d4 d d d } >>
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+\relative {
+ \key g \major
+ % Voice = "1" Voice = "2"
+ << { g'4 fis8( g) a4 g } \\ { d4 d d d } >>
+}
@end lilypond
Notice how the stems of the second voice now point down.
Here's another simple example:
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right,relative=2]
-\key d \minor
-% Voice "1" Voice "2"
-<< { r4 g g4. a8 } \\ { d,2 d4 g } >> |
-<< { bes4 bes c bes } \\ { g4 g g8( a) g4 } >> |
-<< { a2. r4 } \\ { fis2. s4 } >> |
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+\relative {
+ \key d \minor
+ % Voice = "1" Voice = "2"
+ << { r4 g' g4. a8 } \\ { d,2 d4 g } >> |
+ << { bes4 bes c bes } \\ { g4 g g8( a) g4 } >> |
+ << { a2. r4 } \\ { fis2. s4 } >> |
+}
@end lilypond
It is not necessary to use a separate @code{<< \\ >>} construct
notes in each bar it may be better to split out each voice
separately, like this:
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right,relative=2]
-\key d \minor
-<< {
- % Voice "1"
- r4 g g4. a8 |
- bes4 bes c bes |
- a2. r4 |
-} \\ {
- % Voice "2"
- d,2 d4 g |
- g4 g g8( a) g4 |
- fis2. s4 |
-} >>
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+<<
+ \key d \minor
+ \relative { % Voice = "1"
+ r4 g' g4. a8 |
+ bes4 bes c bes |
+ a2. r4 |
+ } \\
+ \relative { % Voice = "2"
+ d'2 d4 g |
+ g4 g g8( a) g4 |
+ fis2. s4 |
+ }
+>>
@end lilypond
\new Staff \relative {
% Main voice
c'16 d e f
- % Voice "1" Voice "2" Voice "3"
+ % Voice = "1" Voice = "2" Voice = "3"
<< { g4 f e } \\ { r8 e4 d c8~ } >> |
<< { d2 e } \\ { c8 b16 a b8 g~ 2 } \\ { s4 b c2 } >> |
}
@end lilypond
+@funindex \voices
+If you prefer entering the voices in a different order, like top
+to bottom, you can specify the respective voice numbers in front
+of one @code{<< @dots{} >>} construct using the @code{\voices}
+command, like
+
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim]
+\new Staff \relative {
+ % Main voice
+ c'16 d e f
+ % Voice = "1" Voice = "2"
+ << { g4 f e } \\ { r8 e4 d c8~ } >> |
+ \voices 1,3,2
+ % Voice = "1" Voice = "3" Voice = "2"
+ << { d2 e } \\ { s4 b c2 } \\ { c8 b16 a b8 g~ 2 } >> |
+}
+@end lilypond
+
These voices are all separate from the main voice that contains
the notes just outside the @code{<< @dots{} >>} construct. Let's call
this the @emph{simultaneous construct}. Slurs and ties may only
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
\new Staff \relative {
\key aes \major
+ \voices 1,2,4 % No voice three
<< % Voice one
{ c''2 aes4. bes8 }
\\ % Voice two
\once \override NoteColumn.force-hshift = #0.5
des2
}
- \\ % No voice three
\\ % Voice four
{
\override NoteColumn.force-hshift = #0
@lilypond[quote,ragged-right]
\new Staff \relative {
\key aes \major
+ \voices 1,2,4 % No Voice three (we want stems down)
<<
{ % Voice one
\voiceOneStyle
\once \override NoteColumn.force-hshift = #0.5
des2
}
- \\ % No Voice three (we want stems down)
\\ % Voice four
{ \voiceThreeStyle
\override NoteColumn.force-hshift = #0
voices downward ones. The stems for voices 1 and 2 are right,
but the stems in voice 3 should go down in this particular piece
of music. We can correct this by skipping voice three
-and placing the music in voice four. This is done by simply
-adding another pair of @code{\\}.
+and placing the music in voice four. This could be done by simply
+adding another pair of @code{\\}, but we use the @code{\voices}
+command instead (which would also allow us to enter the voices in
+different order if we preferred doing that):
@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
\new Staff \relative {
\key aes \major
+ \voices 1,2,4 % Omit Voice three
<< % Voice one
{ c''2 aes4. bes8 }
\\ % Voice two
{ <ees, c>2 des }
- \\ % Omit Voice three
\\ % Voice four
{ aes'2 f4 fes }
>> |
@subsection Explicitly instantiating voices
@funindex \voiceOne
-@funindex voiceOne
@funindex \voiceTwo
-@funindex voiceTwo
@funindex \voiceThree
-@funindex voiceThree
@funindex \voiceFour
-@funindex voiceFour
@funindex \oneVoice
-@funindex oneVoice
@funindex \new Voice
@cindex voice contexts, creating
}
@end lilypond
-Now let's look at three different ways to notate the same passage of
+Now let's look at four different ways to notate the same passage of
polyphonic music, each of which is advantageous in different
circumstances, using the example from the previous section.
}
@end lilypond
+@cindex voices, continued
+@funindex \voices
+
+The @code{\voices} command can also be used for continuing a main
+voice into the simultaneous construct:
+
+@lilypond[quote,ragged-right,verbatim]
+\new Staff \relative {
+ \new Voice = "main" {
+ \voiceOneStyle
+ % This section is homophonic
+ c'16^( d e f
+ % Start simultaneous section of three voices
+ \voices "main",2,3
+ <<
+ % Continue the main voice in parallel
+ { g4 f e | d2 e) | }
+ % Initiate second voice
+ \\
+ % Set stems, etc., down
+ { r8 e4 d c8~ | 8 b16 a b8 g~ 2 | }
+ \\
+ % Initiate third voice
+ % Set stems, etc, up
+ { s2. | s4 b c2 | }
+ >>
+ }
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+
@cindex nesting music expressions
@cindex nesting simultaneous constructs
@cindex nesting voices
@cindex collisions, notes
@cindex shift commands
@funindex \shiftOff
-@funindex shiftOff
@funindex \shiftOn
-@funindex shiftOn
@funindex \shiftOnn
-@funindex shiftOnn
@funindex \shiftOnnn
-@funindex shiftOnnn
Closely spaced notes in a chord, or notes occurring at the same
time in different voices, are arranged in two, occasionally more,
@funindex \new Lyrics
@funindex \lyricsto
-@funindex lyricsto
@funindex Lyrics
@cindex Lyrics context, creating
@cindex lyrics, linking to voice
@cindex lyrics and beaming
@cindex beaming and lyrics
@funindex \autoBeamOff
-@funindex autoBeamOff
The automatic beaming which LilyPond uses by default works well
for instrumental music, but not so well for music with lyrics,
@funindex \new ChoirStaff
@funindex ChoirStaff
@funindex \lyricmode
-@funindex lyricmode
@cindex vocal score structure
@cindex choir staff
output. For example, compare the input and output of the
following example:
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,relative=2]
-cis4 cis2. | a4 a2. |
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim]
+\relative { cis''4 cis2. | a4 a2. | }
@end lilypond
The input is rather sparse, but in the output, bar lines,
@subsection Creating contexts
@funindex \new
-@funindex new
@cindex new contexts
@cindex creating contexts
@cindex contexts, creating
-In an input file a score block, introduced with a @code{\score}
-command, contains a single music expression and an associated
-output definition (either a @code{\layout} or a @code{\midi} block).
-The @code{Score} context is usually left to be created automatically
-when the interpretation of that music expression starts.
+In an input file, a score block (introduced with a @code{\score}
+command) contains a single music expression; but it can also contain
+associated output definitions too -- either a @code{\layout} block, a
+@code{\midi} block or both. The @code{Score} context is usually left to
+be created automatically when the interpretation of that music
+expression starts.
For scores with only one voice and one staff, the @code{Voice} and
@code{Staff} contexts may also be left to be created automatically,
@cindex context properties, modifying
@cindex modifying context properties
@funindex \set
-@funindex set
@funindex \unset
-@funindex unset
Contexts are responsible for holding the values of a number of
context @emph{properties}. Many of them can be changed to
but occasionally it can be tricky. If the wrong context
is specified, no error message is produced, but the expected
action will not take place. For example, the
-@code{instrumentName} clearly lives in the @code{Staff} context, since
-it is the staff that is to be named.
-In this example the first staff is labeled, but not the second,
-because we omitted the context name.
+@code{clefGlyph} clearly lives in the @code{Staff} context, since
+it is the staff's clef glyph that is to be changed.
+In this example the first staff's clef is printed correctly, but not the
+second -- which prints the default treble clef instead of the
+expected bass (or F) clef -- because we omitted the context name.
@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
<<
\new Staff \relative {
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Soprano"
+ \set Staff.clefGlyph = "clefs.C"
c''2 c
}
\new Staff \relative {
- \set instrumentName = #"Alto" % Wrong!
+ \set clefGlyph = "clefs.F" % Wrong!
d'2 d
}
>>
@end lilypond
Remember the default context name is @code{Voice}, so the second
-@code{\set} command set the property @code{instrumentName} in the
-@code{Voice} context to @qq{Alto}, but as LilyPond does not look
+@code{\set} command set the property @code{clefGlyph} in the
+@code{Voice} context to @code{clefs.F}, but as LilyPond does not look
for any such property in the @code{Voice} context, no
further action took place. This is not an error, and no error
message is logged in the log file.
Internals Reference: see @rinternals{Tunable context properties}, or
@rinternals{Contexts}.
-The @code{instrumentName} property will take effect only
+The @code{clefGlyph} property will take effect only
if it is set in the @code{Staff} context, but
some properties can be set in more than one context.
For example, the property @code{extraNatural} is by
other things) several times. The change is from the default
value, not the most recently set value.
-@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right,relative=1]
-c4 d
-% make note heads smaller
-\set fontSize = #-4
-e4 f |
-% make note heads larger
-\set fontSize = #2.5
-g4 a
-% return to default size
-\unset fontSize
-b4 c |
+@lilypond[quote,verbatim,ragged-right]
+\relative {
+ c'4 d
+ % make note heads smaller
+ \set fontSize = #-4
+ e4 f |
+ % make note heads larger
+ \set fontSize = #2.5
+ g4 a
+ % return to default size
+ \unset fontSize
+ b4 c |
+}
@end lilypond
We have now seen how to set the values of several different types of
@subsubheading Setting context properties with @code{\with}
@funindex \with
-@funindex with
@cindex context properties, setting with \with
The default value of context properties may be set at the time the
@cindex context properties, setting with \context
@funindex \context
-@funindex context
The values of context properties may be set in @emph{all} contexts
of a particular type, such as all @code{Staff} contexts, with a single
@cindex removing engravers
@funindex \consists
-@funindex consists
@funindex \remove
-@funindex remove
We have seen that contexts each contain several engravers, each
of which is responsible for producing a particular part of the
@subsubheading Changing all contexts of the same type
@funindex \layout
-@funindex layout
The examples above show how to remove or add engravers to
individual contexts. It is also possible to remove or add
\score {
<< % combine ChoirStaff and PianoStaff in parallel
\new ChoirStaff <<
- \new Staff = "sopranos" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Soprano"
+ \new Staff = "sopranos"
+ \with { instrumentName = #"Soprano" }
+ <<
\new Voice = "sopranos" {
\global
\sopranoMusic
\new Lyrics \lyricsto "sopranos" {
\sopranoWords
}
- \new Staff = "altos" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Alto"
+ \new Staff = "altos"
+ \with { instrumentName = #"Alto" }
+ <<
\new Voice = "altos" {
\global
\altoMusic
}
>>
- \new Lyrics \lyricsto "altos" { \altoWords }
- \new Staff = "tenors" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Tenor"
+ \new Lyrics \lyricsto "altos" {
+ \altoWords
+ }
+ \new Staff = "tenors"
+ \with { instrumentName = #"Tenor" }
+ <<
\new Voice = "tenors" {
\global
\tenorMusic
}
>>
- \new Lyrics \lyricsto "tenors" { \tenorWords }
- \new Staff = "basses" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Bass"
+ \new Lyrics \lyricsto "tenors" {
+ \tenorWords
+ }
+ \new Staff = "basses"
+ \with { instrumentName = #"Bass" }
+ <<
\new Voice = "basses" {
\global
\bassMusic
\bassWords
}
>> % end ChoirStaff
- \new PianoStaff <<
- \set PianoStaff.instrumentName = #"Piano"
+ \new PianoStaff \with { instrumentName = #"Piano" }
+ <<
\new Staff = "upper" \upper
\new Staff = "lower" \lower
>>
@example
\new ChoirStaff <<
- \new Staff = "sopranos" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Soprano"
+ \new Staff = "sopranos"
+ \with @{ instrumentName = #"Soprano" @}
+ <<
\new Voice = "sopranos" @{
\global
\sopranoMusic
\new Lyrics \lyricsto "sopranos" @{
\sopranoWords
@}
- \new Staff = "altos" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Alto"
+ \new Staff = "altos"
+ \with @{ instrumentName = #"Alto" @}
+ <<
\new Voice = "altos" @{
\global
\altoMusic
\new Lyrics \lyricsto "altos" @{
\altoWords
@}
- \new Staff = "tenors" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Tenor"
+ \new Staff = "tenors"
+ \with @{ instrumentName = #"Tenor" @}
+ <<
\new Voice = "tenors" @{
\global
\tenorMusic
\new Lyrics \lyricsto "tenors" @{
\tenorWords
@}
- \new Staff = "basses" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Bass"
+ \new Staff = "basses"
+ \with @{ instrumentName = #"Bass" @}
+ <<
\new Voice = "basses" @{
\global
\bassMusic
@q{Solo piano} template:
@example
-\new PianoStaff <<
- \set PianoStaff.instrumentName = #"Piano "
+\new PianoStaff \with @{ instrumentName = #"Piano " @}
+<<
\new Staff = "upper" \upper
\new Staff = "lower" \lower
>>
@}
>> % end ChoirStaff
- \new PianoStaff <<
- \set PianoStaff.instrumentName = #"Piano"
+ \new PianoStaff \with @{ instrumentName = #"Piano" @}
+ <<
\new Staff = "upper" \upper
\new Staff = "lower" \lower
>>
\score {
<< % combine ChoirStaff and PianoStaff in parallel
\new ChoirStaff <<
- \new Staff = "sopranos" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Soprano"
+ \new Staff = "sopranos"
+ \with { instrumentName = #"Soprano" }
+ <<
\new Voice = "sopranos" {
\global
\sopranoMusic
\new Lyrics \lyricsto "sopranos" {
\sopranoWords
}
- \new Staff = "altos" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Alto"
+ \new Staff = "altos"
+ \with { instrumentName = #"Alto" }
+ <<
\new Voice = "altos" {
\global
\altoMusic
\new Lyrics \lyricsto "altos" {
\altoWords
}
- \new Staff = "tenors" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Tenor"
+ \new Staff = "tenors"
+ \with { instrumentName = #"Tenor" }
+ <<
\new Voice = "tenors" {
\global
\tenorMusic
\new Lyrics \lyricsto "tenors" {
\tenorWords
}
- \new Staff = "basses" <<
- \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Bass"
+ \new Staff = "basses"
+ \with { instrumentName = #"Bass" }
+ <<
\new Voice = "basses" {
\global
\bassMusic
}
>> % end ChoirStaff
- \new PianoStaff <<
- \set PianoStaff.instrumentName = #"Piano "
+ \new PianoStaff
+ \with { instrumentName = #"Piano " }
+ <<
\new Staff = "upper" \upper
\new Staff = "lower" \lower
>>