LilyPond snippets: Vocal music

# Vocal music

These snippets illustrate the Notation Reference, section Vocal music.

## Adding ambitus per voice

Ambitus can be added per voice. In this case, the ambitus must be moved manually to prevent collisions.

    \new Staff <<
      \new Voice \with {
        \consists "Ambitus_engraver"
      } \relative c'' {
        \override Ambitus #'X-offset = #2.0
        \voiceOne
        c4 a d e
        f1
      }
      \new Voice \with {
        \consists "Ambitus_engraver"
      } \relative c' {
        \voiceTwo
        es4 f g as
        b1
      }
    >>

## Adjusting lyrics vertical spacing

This snippet shows how to bring the lyrics line closer to the staff.

    % Default layout:
    <<
      \new Staff \new Voice = melody \relative c' {
        c4 d e f
        g4 f e d
        c1
      }
      \new Lyrics \lyricsto melody { aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa }

    % Reducing the minimum space below the staff and above the lyrics:
      \new Staff \with {
        \override VerticalAxisGroup #'minimum-Y-extent = #'(-1 . 4)
      }
      \new Voice = melody \relative c' {
        c4 d e f
        g4 f e d
        c1
      }
      \new Lyrics \with {
        \override VerticalAxisGroup #'minimum-Y-extent = #'(-1.2 . 1)
      }
      \lyricsto melody { aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa }
    >>

## Ambitus with multiple voices

Adding the `Ambitus_engraver` to the `Staff` context creates a single ambitus per staff, even in the case of staves with multiple voices.

    \new Staff \with {
      \consists "Ambitus_engraver"
      }
    <<
      \new Voice \relative c'' {
        \voiceOne
        c4 a d e
        f1
      }
      \new Voice \relative c' {
        \voiceTwo
        es4 f g as
        b1
      }
    >>

## Ambitus

Ambitus indicate pitch ranges for voices.

Accidentals only show up if they are not part of the key signature. `AmbitusNoteHead` grobs also have ledger lines.

    \layout {
      \context {
        \Voice
        \consists "Ambitus_engraver"
      }
    }

    <<
      \new Staff {
        \relative c' {
          \time 2/4
          c4 f'
        }
      }
      \new Staff {
        \relative c' {
          \time  2/4
          \key d \major
          cis4 as'
        }
      }
    >>

## Changing stanza fonts

Fonts can be changed independently for each stanza, including the font used for printing the stanza number.

    \new Voice {
      \time 3/4
      g2 e4
      a2 f4
      g2.
    }
    \addlyrics {
      \set stanza = #"1. "
      Hi, my name is Bert.
    }
    \addlyrics {
      \override StanzaNumber #'font-name = #"DejaVu"
      \set stanza = #"2. "
      \override LyricText #'font-family = #'typewriter
      Oh, ché -- ri, je t'aime
    }

## Chant or psalms notation

This form of notation is used for the chant of the Psalms, where verses aren’t always the same length.

    stemOn = { \revert Staff.Stem #'transparent }
    stemOff = { \override Staff.Stem #'transparent = ##t }

    \score {
      \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" }
      {
        \key g \minor
        \cadenzaOn
        \stemOff a'\breve bes'4 g'4
        \stemOn a'2 \bar "||"
        \stemOff a'\breve g'4 a'4
        \stemOn f'2 \bar "||"
        \stemOff a'\breve^\markup { \italic flexe }
        \stemOn g'2 \bar "||"
      }
    }

## Formatting lyrics syllables

To format individual syllables in lyrics, use `\markup { .... }` on these lyrics.

    % Tip taken from http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/lilypond-user/2007-12/msg00215.html
    \header {
      title = "Markup can be used inside lyrics!"
    }

    mel = \relative c'' { c4 c c c }
    lyr = \lyricmode {
      Lyrics \markup { \italic "can" } \markup {\with-color #red "contain" }
      \markup {\fontsize #8 \bold "Markup!" }
    }

    <<
      \context Voice = melody \mel
      \context Lyrics \lyricsto melody \lyr
    >>

## How to put ties between syllables in lyrics

This can be achieved by separating those syllables by tildes.

    \lyrics {
      wa~o~a
    }

## Lyrics alignment

Horizontal alignment for lyrics cam be set by overriding the `self-alignment-X` property of the `LyricText` object. `#-1` is left, `#0` is center and `#1` is right; however, you can use `#LEFT`, `#CENTER` and `#RIGHT` as well.

    \layout { ragged-right = ##f }
    \relative c'' {
      c1
      c1
      c1
    }
    \addlyrics {
      \once \override LyricText #'self-alignment-X = #LEFT
      "This is left-aligned"
      \once \override LyricText #'self-alignment-X = #CENTER
      "This is centered"
      \once \override LyricText #'self-alignment-X = #1
      "This is right-aligned"
    }

## Marking notes of spoken parts with a cross on the stem

This example shows how to put crosses on stems. Mark the beginning of a spoken section with the `\speakOn` keyword, and end it with the `\speakOff` keyword.

    speakOn = {
      \override Stem #'stencil = #(lambda (grob)
        (let* ((x-parent (ly:grob-parent grob X))
               (is-rest? (ly:grob? (ly:grob-object x-parent 'rest))))
          (if is-rest?
            empty-stencil
            (ly:stencil-combine-at-edge
              (ly:stem::print grob)
              Y
              (- (ly:grob-property grob 'direction))
              (grob-interpret-markup grob
                (markup #:hspace -1.025 #:fontsize -4
                  #:musicglyph "noteheads.s2cross"))
              -2.3 0))))
    }

    speakOff = {
      \revert Stem #'stencil
    }

    \score {
      \new Staff {
        \relative c'' {
          a4 b a c
          \speakOn
          g4 f r g
          b4 r d e
          \speakOff
          c4 a g f
        }
      }
    }

## 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 { \RemoveEmptyStaffContext }
      }
      \midi { }
    }

## Single staff template with notes, lyrics, and chords

This template allows the preparation of a song with melody, words, and chords.

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

      a4 b c d
    }

    text = \lyricmode {
      Aaa Bee Cee Dee
    }

    harmonies = \chordmode {
      a2 c
    }

    \score {
      <<
        \new ChordNames {
          \set chordChanges = ##t
          \harmonies
        }
        \new Voice = "one" { \autoBeamOff \melody }
        \new Lyrics \lyricsto "one" \text
      >>
      \layout { }
      \midi { }
    }

## Single staff template with notes, lyrics, chords and frets

Here is a simple lead sheet template with melody, lyrics, chords and fret diagrams.

    verseI = \lyricmode {
      \set stanza = #"1."
      This is the first verse
    }

    verseII = \lyricmode {
      \set stanza = #"2."
      This is the second verse.
    }

    theChords = \chordmode {
      % insert chords for chordnames and fretboards here
      c2 g4 c
    }

    staffMelody = \relative c' {
       \key c \major
       \clef treble
       % Type notes for melody here
       c4 d8 e f4 g
       \bar "|."
    }

    \score {
      <<
        \context ChordNames { \theChords }
        \context FretBoards { \theChords }
        \new Staff {
          \context Voice = "voiceMelody" { \staffMelody }
        }
        \new Lyrics = "lyricsI" {
          \lyricsto "voiceMelody" \verseI
        }
        \new Lyrics = "lyricsII" {
          \lyricsto "voiceMelody" \verseII
        }
      >>
      \layout { }
      \midi { }
    }

## Single staff template with notes and lyrics

This small template demonstrates a simple melody with lyrics. Cut and paste, add notes, then words for the lyrics. This example turns off automatic beaming, which is common for vocal parts. To use automatic beaming, change or comment out the relevant line.

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

      a4 b c d
    }

    text = \lyricmode {
      Aaa Bee Cee Dee
    }

    \score{
      <<
        \new Voice = "one" {
          \autoBeamOff
          \melody
        }
        \new Lyrics \lyricsto "one" \text
      >>
      \layout { }
      \midi { }
    }

## Skips in lyric mode (2)

Although `s` skips cannot be used in `\lyricmode` (it is taken to be a literal "s", not a space), double quotes (`""`) or underscores (`_`) are available.So for example:

    <<
      \relative c'' { a4 b c d }
      \new Lyrics \lyricmode { a4 "" _ gap }
    >>

## Skips in lyric mode

The `s` syntax for skips is only available in note mode and chord mode. In other situations, for example, when entering lyrics, using the `\skip` command is recommended.

    <<
      \relative { a'1 a }
      \new Lyrics \lyricmode { \skip 1 bla1 }
    >>

## Vertically aligning ossias and lyrics

This snippet demonstrates the use of the context properties `alignBelowContext` and `alignAboveContext` to control the positioning of lyrics and ossias.

    \paper {
      ragged-right = ##t
    }

    \relative c' <<
      \new Staff = "1" { c4 c s2 }
      \new Staff = "2" { c4 c s2 }
      \new Staff = "3" { c4 c s2 }
      { \skip 2
        <<
          \lyrics {
            \set alignBelowContext = #"1"
            lyrics4 below
          }
          \new Staff \with {
            alignAboveContext = #"3"
            fontSize = #-2
            \override StaffSymbol #'staff-space = #(magstep -2)
            \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
          } {
            \times 4/6 {
              \override TextScript #'padding = #3
              c8[^"ossia above" d e d e f]
            }
          }
        >>
      }
    >>

## Vertically centered common lyrics

In a vocal piece where there are several (two,four or more) lines of lyrics, and common lyrics for all voices at some point, these common lyrics may be vertically centered regardingly, as shown in the following example:

    \include "english.ly"
    leftbrace = \markup { \override #'(font-encoding . fetaBraces) \lookup #"brace240" }
    rightbrace = \markup { \rotate #180 \leftbrace }

    dropLyrics =
    {
        \override LyricText #'extra-offset = #'(0 . -5)
        \override LyricHyphen #'extra-offset = #'(0 . -5)
        \override LyricExtender #'extra-offset = #'(0 . -5)
    }

    raiseLyrics =
    {
        \revert LyricText #'extra-offset
        \revert LyricHyphen #'extra-offset
        \revert LyricExtender #'extra-offset
    }

    skipFour = \repeat unfold 4 { \skip 8 }

    lyricsA = \lyricmode { The first verse has \dropLyrics the com -- mon
    __ words \raiseLyrics used in all four. }
    lyricsB = \lyricmode { In stan -- za two, \skipFour al -- so ap -- pear. }
    lyricsC = \lyricmode { By the third verse, \skipFour are get -- ting dull. }
    lyricsD = \lyricmode { Last stan -- za, and \skipFour get used once more. }

    melody = \relative c' { c4 d e f g f e8( e f) d4 c e d c }

    \score
    {
            <<
                    \new Voice = m \melody
                    \new Lyrics \lyricsto m \lyricsA
                    \new Lyrics \lyricsto m \lyricsB
                    \new Lyrics \lyricsto m \lyricsC
                    \new Lyrics \lyricsto m \lyricsD
            >>
    }

## 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.

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

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

    altoMusic = \relative c' {
      e4 f d e
    }
    altoWords =\lyricmode {
      ha ha ha ha
    }

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

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

    \score {
      <<
        \new ChoirStaff <<
          \new Lyrics = sopranos { s1 }
          \new Staff = women <<
            \new Voice = sopranos { \voiceOne << \global \sopMusic >> }
            \new Voice = altos { \voiceTwo << \global \altoMusic >> }
          >>
          \new Lyrics = altos { s1 }
          \new Lyrics = tenors { s1 }
          \new Staff = men <<
            \clef bass
            \new Voice = tenors { \voiceOne <<\global \tenorMusic >> }
            \new Voice = basses { \voiceTwo <<\global \bassMusic >> }
          >>
          \new Lyrics = basses { s1 }
          \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 >>
          >>
        >>
      >>
      \layout {
        \context {
          % a little smaller so lyrics
          % can be closer to the staff
          \Staff
          \override VerticalAxisGroup #'minimum-Y-extent = #'(-3 . 3)
        }
      }
    }

## Vocal ensemble template with lyrics aligned below and above the staves

This template is basically the same as the simple "Vocal ensemble" template, with the exception that here all the lyrics lines are placed using `alignAboveContext` and `alignBelowContext`.

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

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

    altoMusic = \relative c' {
      e4 f d e
    }
    altoWords = \lyricmode {
      ha ha ha ha
    }

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

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

    \score {
      \new ChoirStaff <<
        \new Staff = women <<
          \new Voice = "sopranos" { \voiceOne << \global \sopMusic >> }
          \new Voice = "altos" { \voiceTwo << \global \altoMusic >> }
        >>
        \new Lyrics \with { alignAboveContext = women } \lyricsto sopranos \sopWords
        \new Lyrics \with { alignBelowContext = women } \lyricsto altos \altoWords
        % we could remove the line about this with the line below, since we want
        % the alto lyrics to be below the alto Voice anyway.
        % \new Lyrics \lyricsto altos \altoWords

        \new Staff = men <<
          \clef bass
          \new Voice = "tenors" { \voiceOne << \global \tenorMusic >> }
          \new Voice = "basses" { \voiceTwo << \global \bassMusic >> }
        >>
        \new Lyrics \with { alignAboveContext = men } \lyricsto tenors \tenorWords
        \new Lyrics \with { alignBelowContext = men } \lyricsto basses \bassWords
        % again, we could replace the line above this with the line below.
        % \new Lyrics \lyricsto basses \bassWords
      >>
      \layout {
        \context {
          % a little smaller so lyrics
          % can be closer to the staff
          \Staff
          \override VerticalAxisGroup #'minimum-Y-extent = #'(-3 . 3)
        }
      }
    }

## Vocal ensemble template

Here is a standard four-part SATB vocal score. With larger ensembles, it is often useful to include a section which is included in all parts. For example, the time signature and key signature are almost always the same for all parts. Like in the "Hymn" template, the four voices are regrouped on only two staves.

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

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

    altoMusic = \relative c' {
      e4 f d e
    }
    altoWords = \lyricmode {
      ha ha ha ha
    }

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

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

    \score {
      \new ChoirStaff <<
        \new Lyrics = sopranos { s1 }
        \new Staff = women <<
          \new Voice = "sopranos" {
            \voiceOne
            << \global \sopMusic >>
          }
          \new Voice = "altos" {
            \voiceTwo
            << \global \altoMusic >>
          }
        >>
        \new Lyrics = "altos" { s1 }
        \new Lyrics = "tenors" { s1 }
        \new Staff = men <<
          \clef bass
          \new Voice = "tenors" {
            \voiceOne
            << \global \tenorMusic >>
          }
          \new Voice = "basses" {
            \voiceTwo << \global \bassMusic >>
          }
        >>
        \new Lyrics = basses { s1 }
        \context Lyrics = sopranos \lyricsto sopranos \sopWords
        \context Lyrics = altos \lyricsto altos \altoWords
        \context Lyrics = tenors \lyricsto tenors \tenorWords
        \context Lyrics = basses \lyricsto basses \bassWords
      >>
      \layout {
        \context {
          % a little smaller so lyrics
          % can be closer to the staff
          \Staff
          \override VerticalAxisGroup #'minimum-Y-extent = #'(-3 . 3)
        }
      }
    }

#### Snippets List