Simple notation - GNU LilyPond
Description: GNU LilyPond

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#### 2.1.2 Simple notation

LilyPond will add some notation elements automatically. In the next example, we have only specified four pitches, but LilyPond has added a clef, time signature, and rhythms.

>          {
>            c' e' g' e'
>          }

This behavior may be altered, but in most cases these automatic values are useful.

#### Pitches

The easiest way to enter notes is by using `\relative` mode. In this mode, the interval between the previous note and the current note is assumed to be within a fourth. We begin by entering the most elementary piece of music, a scale.

>          \relative c' {
>            c d e f
>            g a b c
>          }

The initial note is middle C. Each successive note is within a fourth of the previous note – in other words, the first ``c`' is the closest C to middle C. This is followed by the closest D to the previous note. We can create melodies which have larger intervals:

>          \relative c' {
>            d f a g
>            c b f d
>          }

As you may notice, this example does not start on middle C. The first note – the ``d`' – is the closest D to middle C.

To add intervals that are larger than a fourth, we can raise the octave by adding a single quote `'` (or apostrophe) to the note name. We can lower the octave by adding a comma `,` to the note name.

>          \relative c'' {
>            a a, c' f,
>            g g'' a,, f'
>          }

To change a note by two (or more!) octaves, we use multiple `''` or `,,` – but be careful that you use two single quotes `''` and not one double quote `"` ! The initial value in `\relative c'` may also be modified like this.

#### Durations (rhythms)

The duration of a note is specified by a number after the note name. ``1`' for a whole note, ``2`' for a half note, ``4`' for a quarter note and so on. Beams are added automatically.

>          \relative c'' {
>            a1
>            a2 a4 a8 a
>            a16 a a a a32 a a a a64 a a a a a a a a2
>          }

If you do not specify a duration, the previous duration is used for the next note. The duration of the first note defaults to a quarter.

To create dotted notes, add a dot ``.`' to the duration number.

>          \relative c'' {
>            a a a4. a8
>            a8. a16 a a8. a8 a4.
>          }

#### Rests

A rest is entered just like a note with the name ``r`':

>          \relative c'' {
>            a r r2
>            r8 a r4 r4. r8
>          }

#### Time signature

The time signature) can be set with the `\time` command:

>          \relative c'' {
>            \time 3/4
>            a4 a a
>            \time 6/8
>            a4. a
>            \time 4/4
>            a4 a a a
>          }

#### Clef

The clef can be set using the `\clef` command:

>          \relative c' {
>            \clef treble
>            c1
>            \clef alto
>            c1
>            \clef tenor
>            c1
>            \clef bass
>            c1
>          }

#### All together

Here is a small example showing all these elements together:

>          \relative c, {
>            \time 3/4
>            \clef bass
>            c2 e8 c' g'2.
>            f4 e d c4 c, r4
>          }

#### More information

> Entering pitches and durations
>   see Pitches and Durations.
> Rests
>   see Rests.
> Time signatures and other timing commands
>   see Time signature.
> Clefs
>   see Clef.

Next: Working on text files, Previous: Compiling a file, Up: First steps

This page is for LilyPond-2.10.33 (stable-branch).

Other languages: French.