5.1.1 Contexts explained
Contexts are arranged heirarchically:
| Score - the master of all contexts | ||
| Top-level contexts - staff containers | ||
| Intermediate-level contexts - staves | ||
| Bottom-level contexts - voices |
Score - the master of all contexts
This is the top level notation context. No other context can contain a Score context. By default the Score context handles the administration of time signatures and makes sure that items such as clefs, time signatures, and key-signatures are aligned across staves.
A Score context is instantiated implicitly when a
\score {…} or \layout {…} block is
processed, or explicitly when a \new Score command is
executed.
Top-level contexts - staff containers
StaffGroup
Groups staves while adding a bracket on the left side, grouping the staves together. The bar lines of the contained staves are connected vertically. StaffGroup only consists of a collection of staves, with a bracket in front and spanning bar lines.
ChoirStaff
Identical to StaffGroup except that the bar lines of the contained staves are not connected vertically.
GrandStaff
A group of staves, with a brace on the left side, grouping the staves together. The bar lines of the contained staves are connected vertically.
PianoStaff
Just like GrandStaff but with a forced distance between the staves, so cross staff beaming and slurring can be used.
Intermediate-level contexts - staves
Staff
Handles clefs, bar lines, keys, accidentals. It can contain Voice contexts.
RhythmicStaff
Like Staff but for printing rhythms. Pitches are ignored; the notes are printed on one line.
TabStaff
Context for generating tablature. By default lays the music expression out as a guitar tablature, printed on six lines.
DrumStaff
Handles typesetting for percussion. Can contain DrumVoice
VaticanaStaff
Same as Staff, except that it is designed for typesetting a piece in gregorian style.
MensuralStaff
Same as Staff, except that it is designed for typesetting a piece in mensural style.
Bottom-level contexts - voices
Voice-level contexts initialise certain properties and start appropriate engravers. Being bottom-level contexts, they cannot contain other contexts.
Voice
Corresponds to a voice on a staff. This context handles the conversion of dynamic signs, stems, beams, super- and sub-scripts, slurs, ties, and rests. You have to instantiate this explicitly if you require multiple voices on the same staff.
VaticanaVoice
Same as Voice, except that it is designed for typesetting a piece in gregorian style.
MensuralVoice
Same as Voice, with modifications for typesetting a piece in mensural style.
Lyrics
Corresponds to a voice with lyrics. Handles the printing of a single line of lyrics.
DrumVoice
The voice context used in a percussion staff.
FiguredBass
The context in which BassFigure objects are created from
input entered in \figuremode mode.
TabVoice
The voice context used within a TabStaff context. Usually left to be created implicitly.
ChordNames
Typesets chord names.
Other languages: español.
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