In this example, the @code{@}} is included in the final syllable, so the
opening brace is not balanced and the input file will probably not
-compile. Instead, always place white space around braces:
+compile. Instead, braces should always be surrounded with white space:
@example
\lyricmode @{ lah lah lah @}
@cindex overrides in lyric mode
@funindex \override in \lyricmode
-Similarly, a period which follows an alphabetic sequence is included
-in that sequence in lyric mode. As a consequence, spaces must be
-inserted around the period in @code{\override} commands. Do
-@emph{not} write
+Similarly, in lyric mode, a period will be included in the
+alphabetic sequence that it follows. As a consequence, spaces
+must be inserted around the period in @code{\override} commands.
+Do @emph{not} write
@example
\override Score.LyricText #'font-shape = #'italic
\override Score . LyricText #'font-shape = #'italic
@end example
-To enter punctuation, lyrics with accented characters, characters
-from non-English languages, or special characters (such as the heart
-symbol or slanted quotes), simply insert the characters directly
-into the input file and save it with UTF-8 encoding. For more
-information, see @ref{Text encoding}.
+Punctuation, lyrics with accented characters, characters from
+non-English languages, or special characters (such as the heart
+symbol or slanted quotes), may simply be inserted directly
+into the input file, providing it is saved with UTF-8 encoding.
+For more information, see @ref{Text encoding}.
@lilypond[quote,verbatim]
\relative c' { e4 f e d e f e2 }
\addlyrics { He said: “Let my peo -- ple go.” }
@end lilypond
-To use normal quotes in lyrics, add a backslash before the
-quotes and place the whole syllable in quotes. For example,
+Normal quotes may be used in lyrics, but they have to be preceded
+with a backslash character and the whole syllable has to be
+enclosed between additional quotes. For example,
@lilypond[quote,verbatim]
\relative c' { \time 3/4 e4 e4. e8 d4 e d c2. }
@code{Lyrics}, see @ref{Contexts explained}.
@example
-\new Lyrics \lyricmode @dots{}
+\new Lyrics \lyricmode @{ @dots{} @}
@end example
Lyrics can be aligned with melodies in two main ways:
melody and the lyrics with the @code{\lyricsto} expression
@example
-\new Lyrics \lyricsto @var{name} @dots{}
+\new Lyrics \lyricsto @var{name} @{ @dots{} @}
@end example
@noindent
@cindex \addlyrics
-The @code{\addlyrics} command is actually just a convenient way
-to write a more complicated LilyPond structure that sets up the
-lyrics.
+The @code{\addlyrics} command is actually just a convenient shortcut
+that can be used instead of having to set up the lyrics through a more
+complicated LilyPond structure.
@example
@{ MUSIC @}
@end lilypond
More stanzas can be added by adding more
-@code{\addlyrics} sections
+@code{\addlyrics} sections:
@lilypond[ragged-right,verbatim,fragment,quote]
\time 3/4
@end lilypond
The command @code{\addlyrics} cannot handle polyphony settings.
-For these cases you should use @code{\lyricsto} and
+For these cases one should use @code{\lyricsto} and
@code{\lyricmode}, for details see @ref{Entering lyrics}.
@node Manual syllable durations
@unnumberedsubsubsec Manual syllable durations
Lyrics can also be entered without @code{\addlyrics} or
-@code{\lyricsto}. In this case,
-syllables are entered like notes -- but with pitches replaced by text -- and the
-duration of each syllable must be entered explicitly. For example:
+@code{\lyricsto}. In this case, syllables are entered like
+notes -- but with pitches replaced by text -- and the duration
+of each syllable must be entered explicitly. For example:
@example
play2 the4 game2.
In order to assign more than one syllable to a single note with
spaces between the syllables, you can surround the phrase with
quotes or use a @code{_} character. Alternatively, you can use
-code the tilde symbol (@code{~}) to get a lyric tie. The lyric
+code the tilde symbol (@code{~}) to get a lyric tie. The lyric
tie is implemented with the Unicode character U+203F, so be
sure to have a font (like DejaVuLGC) installed that includes this
glyph.
@funindex \melismaEnd
Sometimes, particularly in Medieval music, several notes are to be
-sung on one syllable; such vocalises are called melismas, or
+sung on one syllable; such vocalises are called @rglos{melisma}s, or
melismata. The syllable to a melisma is usually left-aligned with
the first note of the melisma.
@code{\melismaEnd}.
@seealso
+Musical Glossary:
+@rglos{melisma}.
+
Learning Manual:
@rlearning{Aligning lyrics to a melody}.
@node Techniques specific to lyrics
@subsection Techniques specific to lyrics
-@c TODO This whole section is to be reorganized. -vv
-
@menu
* Working with lyrics and variables::
* Lyrics and repeats::
@end example
@noindent
-and then combine the appropriate melodies and lyric lines
+and then combine the appropriate melodies and lyric lines:
@example
\context Lyrics = sopranoLyrics \lyricsto "soprano"
}
@end lilypond
-If the repeated section has different words and is unfolded simply
+If the repeated section is unfolded with different words, simply
enter all the words:
@lilypond[verbatim,quote,ragged-right]
@cindex lyric skip
@funindex \skip
-When the words to a repeated volta section are different the words
-to each repeat must be entered in separate @code{Lyrics} contexts.
+When the words to a repeated volta section are different, the words
+to each repeat must be entered in separate @code{Lyrics} context.
Earlier unrepeated sections must be skipped in the second and
subsequent repeats. The easiest way to skip several notes is to
use @code{\repeat unfold} around the @code{\skip} command.
-Note: do not use an underscore, @code{_}, to skip notes as this
-indicates a melisma and will cause the preceding syllable to be
-left-aligned.
+Note: do not use an underscore, @code{_}, to skip notes in this
+particular case. As this syntax indicates a melisma, it will cause
+the preceding syllable to be left-aligned.
@warning{The @code{@bs{}skip} command must be followed by a number,
but this number is ignored in lyrics which derive their durations