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Titles explained

Each \book block in a single input file produces a separate output file, see section File structure. Within each output file three types of titling areas are provided: book titles at the beginning of each book, bookpart titles at the beginning of each bookpart, and score titles at the beginning of each score.

Values of titling fields such as title and composer are set in \header blocks. (For the syntax of \header blocks and a complete list of the fields available by default, see section Default layout of bookpart and score titles). Book titles, bookpart titles, and score titles can all contain the same fields, although by default the fields in score titles are limited to piece and opus.

\header blocks may be placed in four different places to form a descending hierarchy.

• At the top of the input file, before all \book, \bookpart, and \score blocks.
• Within a \book block but outside all the \bookpart and \score blocks within that book.
• Within a \bookpart block but outside all \score blocks within that bookpart.
• Within a \score block.

The values of the fields filter down this hierarchy, with the values set higher in the hierarchy persisting unless they are overridden by a value set lower in the hierarchy.

• A book title is derived from fields set at the top of the input file, modified by fields set in the \book block. The resulting fields are used to print the book title for that book, providing that there is other material that generates a page at the start of the book, before the first bookpart. A single \pageBreak suffices.
• A bookpart title is derived from fields set at the top of the input file, modified by fields set in the \book block, and further modified by fields set in the \bookpart block. The resulting values are used to print the bookpart title for that bookpart.
• A score title is derived from fields set at the top of the input file, modified by fields set in the \book block, further modified by fields set in the \bookpart block and finally modified by fields set in the \score block. The resulting values are used to print the score title for that score. Note, though, that only piece and opus fields are printed by default in score titles unless the \paper variable print-all-headers is set to #t.

It is not necessary to provide \header blocks in all four places: any or even all of them may be omitted. Similarly, simple input files may omit the \book and \bookpart blocks, leaving them to be created implicitly.

If the book has only a single score, the \header block should normally be placed at the top of the file so that just a bookpart title is produced, making all the titling fields available for use.

If the book has multiple scores a number of different arrangements of \header blocks are possible, corresponding to the various types of musical publications. For example, if the publication contains several pieces by the same composer, a \header block placed at the top of the file specifying the book title and the composer with \header blocks in each \score block specifying the piece and/or opus would be most suitable, as here:

\header {
  title = "SUITE I."
  composer = "J. S. Bach."
}

\score {
  \header {
    piece = "Prélude."
  }
  \new Staff \relative {
    \clef bass
    \key g \major
    \repeat unfold 2 { g,16( d' b') a b d, b' d, } |
    \repeat unfold 2 { g,16( e' c') b c e, c' e, } |
  }
}

\score {
  \header {
    piece = "Allemande."
  }
  \new Staff \relative {
    \clef bass
    \key g \major
    \partial 16 b16 |
    <g, d' b'~>4 b'16 a( g fis) g( d e fis) g( a b c) |
    d16( b g fis) g( e d c) b(c d e) fis( g a b) |
  }
}

More complicated arrangements are possible. For example, text fields from the \header block in a book can be displayed in all score titles, with some fields overridden and some manually suppressed:

\book {
  \paper {
    print-all-headers = ##t
  }
  \header {
    title = "DAS WOHLTEMPERIRTE CLAVIER"
    subtitle = "TEIL I"
    % Do not display the default LilyPond footer for this book
    tagline = ##f
  }
  \markup { \vspace #1 }
  \score {
    \header {
      title = "PRAELUDIUM I"
      opus = "BWV 846"
      % Do not display the subtitle for this score
      subtitle = ##f
    }
    \new PianoStaff <<
      \new Staff { s1 }
      \new Staff { \clef "bass" s1 }
    >>
  }
  \score {
    \header {
      title = "FUGA I"
      subsubtitle = "A 4 VOCI"
      opus = "BWV 846"
      % Do not display the subtitle for this score
      subtitle = ##f
    }
    \new PianoStaff <<
      \new Staff { s1 }
      \new Staff { \clef "bass" s1 }
    >>
  }
}

See also

Notation Reference: File structure, Default layout of bookpart and score titles, Custom layout for titles.

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LilyPond Notation Reference v2.25.15 (development-branch).