LilyPond snippets: Keyboards

# Keyboards

Keyboard and other multi-staff instruments

## Accordion-discant symbols

This snippet has been obsoleted by predefined markup commands, see ’Discant symbols’ in the Notation Reference. It’s still useful as a simple demonstration of how to combine symbols: the placement of the symbols added with `\markup` can be tweaked by changing the `\translate-scaled` arguments. `\translate-scaled` is used here rather than `\translate` in order to let the positioning of the symbol parts adapt to changes of `font-size`.

    discant = \markup {
      \musicglyph "accordion.discant"
    }
    dot = \markup {
      \musicglyph "accordion.dot"
    }

    \layout { ragged-right = ##t }

    % 16 voets register
    accBasson = ^\markup {
      \combine
      \discant
      \translate-scaled #'(0 . 0.5) \dot
    }

    % een korig 8 en 16 voets register
    accBandon = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 0.5) \dot
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
    }

    accVCello = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 0.5) \dot
          \combine
            \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
            \translate-scaled #'(1 . 1.5) \dot
    }

    % 4-8-16 voets register
    accHarmon = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 0.5) \dot
          \combine
            \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
            \translate-scaled #'(0 . 2.5) \dot
    }

    accTrombon = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 0.5) \dot
          \combine
            \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
            \combine
              \translate-scaled #'(1 . 1.5) \dot
              \translate-scaled #'(-1 . 1.5) \dot
    }

    % eenkorig 4 en 16 voets register
    accOrgan = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 0.5) \dot
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 2.5) \dot
    }

    accMaster = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 0.5) \dot
          \combine
            \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
            \combine
              \translate-scaled #'(1 . 1.5) \dot
              \combine
                \translate-scaled #'(-1 . 1.5) \dot
                \translate-scaled #'(0 . 2.5) \dot
    }

    accAccord = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
          \combine
            \translate-scaled #'(1 . 1.5) \dot
            \combine
              \translate-scaled #'(-1 . 1.5) \dot
              \translate-scaled #'(0 . 2.5) \dot
    }

    accMusette = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
          \combine
            \translate-scaled #'(1 . 1.5) \dot
            \translate-scaled #'(-1 . 1.5) \dot
    }

    accCeleste = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
          \translate-scaled #'(-1 . 1.5) \dot
    }

    accOboe = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 2.5) \dot
    }

    accClarin = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
    }

    accPiccolo = ^\markup {
        \combine
           \discant
           \translate-scaled #'(0 . 2.5) \dot
    }

    accViolin = ^\markup {
      \combine
        \discant
        \combine
          \translate-scaled #'(0 . 1.5) \dot
          \combine
            \translate-scaled #'(1 . 1.5) \dot
            \translate-scaled #'(0 . 2.5) \dot
    }

    \relative c'' {
      c4 d\accBasson e f
      c4 d\accBandon e f
      c4 d\accVCello e f
      c4 d\accHarmon e f
      c4 d\accTrombon e f
      \break
      c4 d\accOrgan e f
      c4 d\accMaster e f
      c4 d\accAccord e f
      c4 d\accMusette e f
      c4 d\accCeleste e f
      \break
      c4 d\accOboe e f
      c4 d\accClarin e f
      c4 d\accPiccolo e f
      c4 d\accViolin e f
    }

## Accordion register symbols

Accordion register symbols are available as `\markup` as well as as standalone music events (as register changes tend to occur between actual music events). Bass registers are not overly standardized. The available commands can be found in ’Discant symbols’ in the Notation Reference.

    #(use-modules (scm accreg))

    \new PianoStaff
    <<
      \new Staff \relative {
        \clef treble
        \discant "10"
        r8 s32 f'[ bes f] s e[ a e] s d[ g d] s16 e32[ a]
        <<
          { r16 <f bes> r <e a> r <d g> }
          \\
          { d r a r bes r }
        >> |
        <cis e a>1
      }

      \new Staff \relative {
        \clef treble
        \freeBass "1"
        r8 d'32 s16. c32 s16. bes32 s16. a32[ cis] s16
        \clef bass \stdBass "Master"
        <<
          { r16 <f, bes d>^"b" r <e a c>^"am" r <d g bes>^"gm" |
          <e a cis>1^"a" }
          \\
          { d8_"D" c_"C" bes_"B" | a1_"A" }
        >>
      }
    >>

## Changing the text for sustain markings

`Staff.pedalSustainStrings` can be used to set the text used for pedal down and up. Note that the only valid strings are those found in the list of pedal glyphs - the values used this snippet constitute an exhaustive list.

    sustainNotes = { c4\sustainOn d e\sustainOff\sustainOn f\sustainOff }

    \relative c' {
      \sustainNotes
      \set Staff.pedalSustainStrings = #'("P" "P-" "-")
      \sustainNotes
      \set Staff.pedalSustainStrings = #'("d" "de" "e")
      \sustainNotes
      \set Staff.pedalSustainStrings = #'("M" "M-" "-")
      \sustainNotes
      \set Staff.pedalSustainStrings = #'("Ped" "*Ped" "*")
      \sustainNotes
    }

## Clusters

Clusters are a device to denote that a complete range of notes is to be played.

    fragment = \relative c' {
      c4 f <e d'>4
      <g a>8 <e a> a4 c2 <d b>4
      e2 c
    }

    <<
      \new Staff \fragment
      \new Staff \makeClusters \fragment
    >>

## Controlling the placement of chord fingerings

The placement of fingering numbers can be controlled precisely. For fingering orientation to apply, it must be used within a chord construct <>, even for single notes. Orientation for string numbers and right-hand fingerings may be set in a similar way.

    \relative c' {
      \set fingeringOrientations = #'(left)
      <c-1 e-3 a-5>4
      \set fingeringOrientations = #'(down)
      <c-1 e-3 a-5>4
      \set fingeringOrientations = #'(down right up)
      <c-1 e-3 a-5>4
      \set fingeringOrientations = #'(up)
      <c-1 e-3 a-5>4
      \set fingeringOrientations = #'(left)
      <c-1>2
      \set fingeringOrientations = #'(down)
      <e-3>2
      \set stringNumberOrientations = #'(up left down)
      <f\3 a\2 c\1>1
      \set strokeFingerOrientations = #'(down right up)
      <c\rightHandFinger #1 e\rightHandFinger #2 c'\rightHandFinger #4 >
    }

## Creating slurs across voices

In some situations, it may be necessary to create slurs between notes from different voices. The solution is to add invisible notes to one of the voices, using `\hideNotes`.

This example is measure 235 of the Ciaconna from Bach’s 2nd Partita for solo violin, BWV 1004.

    \relative c' {
      <<
        {
          d16( a') s a s a[ s a] s a[ s a]
        }
        \\
        {
          \slurUp
          bes,16[ s e](
          \hideNotes a)
          \unHideNotes f[(
          \hideNotes a)
          \unHideNotes fis](
          \hideNotes a)
          \unHideNotes g[(
          \hideNotes a)
          \unHideNotes gis](
          \hideNotes a)
        }
      >>
    }

## Cross-staff chords - beaming problems workaround

Sometimes it is better to use stems from the upper staff for creating cross-staff chords, because no problems with automatic beam collision avoidance then arise. If the stems from the lower staff were used in the following example, it would be necessary to change the automatic beam collision avoidance settings so that it doesn’t detect collisions between staves using `\override Staff.Beam.collision-voice-only = ##t`

    \new PianoStaff <<
      \new Staff = up
        \relative c' {
          <<
            { r4
              \override Stem.cross-staff = ##t
              \override Stem.length = #19 % this is in half-spaces,
                  % so it makes stems 9.5 staffspaces long
              \override Stem.Y-offset = #-6 % stems are normally lengthened
                  % upwards, so here we must lower the stem by the amount
                  % equal to the lengthening - in this case (19 - 7) / 2
                  % (7 is default stem length)
              e e e }
            { s4
              \change Staff = "bottom"
              \override NoteColumn.ignore-collision = ##t
              c, c c
            }
          >>
        }
      \new Staff = bottom
        \relative c' {
          \clef bass
          \voiceOne
          g8 a g a g a g a
        }
    >>

## Cross-staff tremolos

Since `\repeat tremolo` expects exactly two musical arguments for chord tremolos, the note or chord which changes staff within a cross-staff tremolo should be placed inside curly braces together with its `\change Staff` command.

    \new PianoStaff <<
      \new Staff = "up" \relative c'' {
        \key a \major
        \time 3/8
        s4.
      }
      \new Staff = "down" \relative c'' {
        \key a \major
        \time 3/8
        \voiceOne
        \repeat tremolo 6 {
          <a e'>32
          {
            \change Staff = "up"
            \voiceTwo
            <cis a' dis>32
          }
        }
      }
    >>

## Fine-tuning pedal brackets

The appearance of pedal brackets may be altered in different ways.

    \paper { ragged-right = ##f }
    \relative c'' {
      c2\sostenutoOn c
      c2\sostenutoOff c
      \once \override Staff.PianoPedalBracket.shorten-pair = #'(-7 . -2)
      c2\sostenutoOn c
      c2\sostenutoOff c
      \once \override Staff.PianoPedalBracket.edge-height = #'(0 . 3)
      c2\sostenutoOn c
      c2\sostenutoOff c
    }

## Indicating cross-staff chords with arpeggio bracket

An arpeggio bracket can indicate that notes on two different staves are to be played with the same hand. In order to do this, the `PianoStaff` must be set to accept cross-staff arpeggios and the arpeggios must be set to the bracket shape in the `PianoStaff` context.

(Debussy, Les collines d’Anacapri, m. 65)

    \new PianoStaff <<
      \set PianoStaff.connectArpeggios = ##t
      \override PianoStaff.Arpeggio.stencil =
        #ly:arpeggio::brew-chord-bracket
      \new Staff {
        \relative c' {
          \key b \major
          \time 6/8
          b8-.(\arpeggio fis'-.\> cis-.
            e-. gis-. b-.)\!\fermata^\laissezVibrer \bar "||"
        }
      }
      \new Staff {
        \relative c' {
          \clef bass
          \key b \major
          <<
            {
              <a e cis>2.\arpeggio
            }
            \\
            {
              <a, e a,>2.
            }
          >>
        }
      }
    >>

## Jazz combo template

This is quite an advanced template, for a jazz ensemble. Note that all instruments are notated in `\key c \major`. This refers to the key in concert pitch; the key will be automatically transposed if the music is within a `\transpose` section.

    \header {
      title = "Song"
      subtitle = "(tune)"
      composer = "Me"
      meter = "moderato"
      piece = "Swing"
      tagline = \markup {
        \column {
          "LilyPond example file by Amelie Zapf,"
          "Berlin 07/07/2003"
        }
      }
    }
    % To make the example display in the documentation
    \paper {
      paper-width = 130
    }
    %#(set-global-staff-size 16)
    \include "english.ly"

    %%%%%%%%%%%% Some macros %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

    sl = {
      \override NoteHead.style = #'slash
      \hide Stem
    }
    nsl = {
      \revert NoteHead.style
      \undo \hide Stem
    }
    crOn = \override NoteHead.style = #'cross
    crOff = \revert NoteHead.style

    %% insert chord name style stuff here.

    jazzChords = { }

    %%%%%%%%%%%% Keys'n'thangs %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

    global = { \time 4/4 }

    Key = { \key c \major }

    % ############ Horns ############

    % ------ Trumpet ------
    trpt = \transpose c d \relative c'' {
      \Key
      c1 | c | c |
    }
    trpHarmony = \transpose c' d {
      \jazzChords
    }
    trumpet = {
      \global
      \clef treble
      <<
        \trpt
      >>
    }

    % ------ Alto Saxophone ------
    alto = \transpose c a \relative c' {
      \Key
      c1 | c | c |
    }
    altoHarmony = \transpose c' a {
      \jazzChords
    }
    altoSax = {
      \global
      \clef treble
      <<
        \alto
      >>
    }

    % ------ Baritone Saxophone ------
    bari = \transpose c a' \relative c {
      \Key
      c1
      c1
      \sl
      d4^"Solo" d d d
      \nsl
    }
    bariHarmony = \transpose c' a \chordmode {
      \jazzChords s1 s d2:maj e:m7
    }
    bariSax = {
      \global
      \clef treble
      <<
        \bari
      >>
    }

    % ------ Trombone ------
    tbone = \relative c {
      \Key
      c1 | c | c
    }
    tboneHarmony = \chordmode {
      \jazzChords
    }
    trombone = {
      \global
      \clef bass
      <<
        \tbone
      >>
    }

    % ############ Rhythm Section #############

    % ------ Guitar ------
    gtr = \relative c'' {
      \Key
      c1
      \sl
      b4 b b b
      \nsl
      c1
    }
    gtrHarmony = \chordmode {
      \jazzChords
      s1 c2:min7+ d2:maj9
    }
    guitar = {
      \global
      \clef treble
      <<
        \gtr
      >>
    }

    %% ------ Piano ------
    rhUpper = \relative c'' {
      \voiceOne
      \Key
      c1 | c | c
    }
    rhLower = \relative c' {
      \voiceTwo
      \Key
      e1 | e | e
    }

    lhUpper = \relative c' {
      \voiceOne
      \Key
      g1 | g | g
    }
    lhLower = \relative c {
      \voiceTwo
      \Key
      c1 | c | c
    }

    PianoRH = {
      \clef treble
      \global
      <<
        \new Voice = "one" \rhUpper
        \new Voice = "two" \rhLower
      >>
    }
    PianoLH = {
      \clef bass
      \global
      <<
        \new Voice = "one" \lhUpper
        \new Voice = "two" \lhLower
      >>
    }

    piano = {
      <<
        \new Staff = "upper" \PianoRH
        \new Staff = "lower" \PianoLH
      >>
    }

    % ------ Bass Guitar ------
    Bass = \relative c {
      \Key
      c1 | c | c
    }
    bass = {
      \global
      \clef bass
      <<
        \Bass
      >>
    }

    % ------ Drums ------
    up = \drummode {
      \voiceOne
      hh4 <hh sn> hh <hh sn>
      hh4 <hh sn> hh <hh sn>
      hh4 <hh sn> hh <hh sn>
    }
    down = \drummode {
      \voiceTwo
      bd4 s bd s
      bd4 s bd s
      bd4 s bd s
    }

    drumContents = {
      \global
      <<
        \new DrumVoice \up
        \new DrumVoice \down
      >>
    }

    %%%%%%%%% It All Goes Together Here %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

    \score {
      <<
        \new StaffGroup = "horns" <<
          \new Staff = "trumpet" \with { instrumentName = "Trumpet" }
          \trumpet
          \new Staff = "altosax" \with { instrumentName = "Alto Sax" }
          \altoSax
          \new ChordNames = "barichords" \with { instrumentName = "Trumpet" }
          \bariHarmony
          \new Staff = "barisax" \with { instrumentName = "Bari Sax" }
          \bariSax
          \new Staff = "trombone" \with { instrumentName = "Trombone" }
          \trombone
        >>

        \new StaffGroup = "rhythm" <<
          \new ChordNames = "chords" \gtrHarmony
          \new Staff = "guitar" \with { instrumentName = "Guitar" }
          \guitar
          \new PianoStaff = "piano" \with {
            instrumentName = "Piano"
            midiInstrument = "acoustic grand"
          }
          \piano
          \new Staff = "bass" \with { instrumentName = "Bass" }
          \bass
          \new DrumStaff \with { instrumentName = "Drums" }
          \drumContents
        >>
      >>
      \layout {
        \context { \Staff \RemoveEmptyStaves }
        \context {
          \Score
          \override BarNumber.padding = #3
          \override RehearsalMark.padding = #2
          skipBars = ##t
        }
      }
      \midi { }
    }

## Laissez vibrer ties

Laissez vibrer ties have a fixed size. Their formatting can be tuned using `'tie-configuration`.

    \relative c' {
      <c e g>4\laissezVibrer r <c f g>\laissezVibrer r
      <c d f g>4\laissezVibrer r <c d f g>4.\laissezVibrer r8

      <c d e f>4\laissezVibrer r
      \override LaissezVibrerTieColumn.tie-configuration
         = #`((-7 . ,DOWN)
              (-5 . ,DOWN)
              (-3 . ,UP)
              (-1 . ,UP))
      <c d e f>4\laissezVibrer r
    }

## Piano template (simple)

Here is a simple piano staff with some notes.

    upper = \relative c'' {
      \clef treble
      \key c \major
      \time 4/4

      a4 b c d
    }

    lower = \relative c {
      \clef bass
      \key c \major
      \time 4/4

      a2 c
    }

    \score {
      \new PianoStaff \with { instrumentName = "Piano" }
      <<
        \new Staff = "upper" \upper
        \new Staff = "lower" \lower
      >>
      \layout { }
      \midi { }
    }

## Piano template with centered lyrics

Instead of having a full staff for the melody and lyrics, lyrics can be centered between the staves of a piano staff.

    upper = \relative c'' {
      \clef treble
      \key c \major
      \time 4/4

      a4 b c d
    }

    lower = \relative c {
      \clef bass
      \key c \major
      \time 4/4

      a2 c
    }

    text = \lyricmode {
      Aaa Bee Cee Dee
    }

    \score {
      \new PianoStaff <<
        \new Staff = upper { \new Voice = "singer" \upper }
        \new Lyrics \lyricsto "singer" \text
        \new Staff = lower { \lower }
      >>
      \layout { }
      \midi { }
    }

## Piano template with melody and lyrics

Here is a typical song format: one staff with the melody and lyrics, with piano accompaniment underneath.

    melody = \relative c'' {
      \clef treble
      \key c \major
      \time 4/4

      a b c d
    }

    text = \lyricmode {
      Aaa Bee Cee Dee
    }

    upper = \relative c'' {
      \clef treble
      \key c \major
      \time 4/4

      a4 b c d
    }

    lower = \relative c {
      \clef bass
      \key c \major
      \time 4/4

      a2 c
    }

    \score {
      <<
        \new Voice = "mel" { \autoBeamOff \melody }
        \new Lyrics \lyricsto mel \text
        \new PianoStaff <<
          \new Staff = "upper" \upper
          \new Staff = "lower" \lower
        >>
      >>
      \layout {
        \context { \Staff \RemoveEmptyStaves }
      }
      \midi { }
    }

## Removing brace on first line of piano score

This snippet removes the first brace from a `PianoStaff` or a `GrandStaff`.

It may be useful when cutting and pasting the engraved image into existing music.

It uses `\alterBroken`.

    someMusic =  {
      \once \override Staff.Clef.stencil = ##f
      \once \override Staff.TimeSignature.stencil = ##f
      \repeat unfold 3 c1 \break
      \repeat unfold 5 c1 \break
      \repeat unfold 5 c1
    }

    \score {
      \new PianoStaff
      <<
        \new Staff = "right" \relative c'' \someMusic
        \new Staff = "left" \relative c' { \clef F \someMusic }
      >>
      \layout {
        indent=75
        \context {
          \PianoStaff
          \alterBroken transparent #'(#t) SystemStartBrace
        }
      }
    }

## Using autochange with more than one voice

Using `autochange` with more than one voice.

    \score
    {
      \new PianoStaff
      <<
        \new Staff = "up" {
          <<
            \set Timing.beamExceptions = #'()
            \set Timing.beatStructure = #'(4)
            \new Voice {
              \voiceOne
              \autoChange
              \relative c' {
                g8 a b c d e f g
                g,8 a b c d e f g
              }
            }

            \new Voice {
              \voiceTwo
              \autoChange
              \relative c' {
                g8 a b c d e f g
                g,,8 a b c d e f g
              }
            }
          >>
        }

        \new Staff = "down" {
          \clef bass
        }
      >>
    }

## Vocal ensemble template with automatic piano reduction

This template adds an automatic piano reduction to the standard SATB vocal score demonstrated in “Vocal ensemble template”. This demonstrates one of the strengths of LilyPond – you can use a music definition more than once. If any changes are made to the vocal notes (say, `tenorMusic`), then the changes will also apply to the piano reduction.

    \paper {
      top-system-spacing.basic-distance = #10
      score-system-spacing.basic-distance = #20
      system-system-spacing.basic-distance = #20
      last-bottom-spacing.basic-distance = #10
    }

    global = {
      \key c \major
      \time 4/4
    }

    sopMusic = \relative {
      c''4 c c8[( b)] c4
    }
    sopWords = \lyricmode {
      hi hi hi hi
    }

    altoMusic = \relative {
      e'4 f d e
    }
    altoWords =\lyricmode {
      ha ha ha ha
    }

    tenorMusic = \relative {
      g4 a f g
    }
    tenorWords = \lyricmode {
      hu hu hu hu
    }

    bassMusic = \relative {
      c4 c g c
    }
    bassWords = \lyricmode {
      ho ho ho ho
    }

    \score {
      <<
        \new ChoirStaff <<
          \new Lyrics = "sopranos" \with {
            % This is needed for lyrics above a staff
            \override VerticalAxisGroup.staff-affinity = #DOWN
          }
          \new Staff = "women" <<
            \new Voice = "sopranos" { \voiceOne << \global \sopMusic >> }
            \new Voice = "altos" { \voiceTwo << \global \altoMusic >> }
          >>
          \new Lyrics = "altos"
          \new Lyrics = "tenors" \with {
            % This is needed for lyrics above a staff
            \override VerticalAxisGroup.staff-affinity = #DOWN
          }

          \new Staff = "men" <<
            \clef bass
            \new Voice = "tenors" { \voiceOne << \global \tenorMusic >> }
            \new Voice = "basses" { \voiceTwo << \global \bassMusic >> }
          >>
          \new Lyrics = "basses"
          \context Lyrics = "sopranos" \lyricsto "sopranos" \sopWords
          \context Lyrics = "altos" \lyricsto "altos" \altoWords
          \context Lyrics = "tenors" \lyricsto "tenors" \tenorWords
          \context Lyrics = "basses" \lyricsto "basses" \bassWords
        >>
        \new PianoStaff <<
          \new Staff <<
            \set Staff.printPartCombineTexts = ##f
            \partCombine
            << \global \sopMusic >>
            << \global \altoMusic >>
          >>
          \new Staff <<
            \clef bass
            \set Staff.printPartCombineTexts = ##f
            \partCombine
            << \global \tenorMusic >>
            << \global \bassMusic >>
          >>
        >>
      >>
    }

#### LilyPond — Snippets v2.22.2 (stable-branch).