LilyPond Notation Reference: 3.5.5 Using MIDI instruments

### 3.5.5 Using MIDI instruments

MIDI instruments are set using the `midiInstrument` property within a `Staff` context.

>     \score {
>       \new Staff {
>         \set Staff.midiInstrument = "glockenspiel"
>         … music …
>       }
>       \midi { }
>     }

or

>     \score {
>       \new Staff \with {midiInstrument = "cello"} {
>         … music …
>       }
>       \midi { }
>     }

If the instrument name does not match any of the instruments listed in the ‘MIDI instruments’ section, the `acoustic grand` instrument will be used instead. See MIDI instruments.

#### See also

Learning Manual: Other sources of information.

Notation Reference: MIDI instruments, Score layout.

Installed Files: ‘`scm/midi.scm`’.

#### Known issues and warnings

Percussion instruments that are notated in a `DrumStaff` context will be output, correctly, to MIDI channel 10 but some pitched, percussion instruments like the xylophone, marimba, vibraphone or timpani, are treated as “normal” instruments so the music for these should be entered in a `Staff` (not `DrumStaff`) context to obtain correct MIDI output. A full list of `channel 10 drum-kits` entries can be found in ‘`scm/midi.scm`’. See Other sources of information.

#### LilyPond — Notation Reference v2.22.2 (stable-branch).