Changing all contexts of the same type

The default context settings which are to be used for typesetting in Score, Staff, Voice, and other contexts may be specified in a \context block within any \layout block.

Settings for MIDI output as opposed to typesetting has to be separately specified in \midi blocks (see Output definitions – blueprints for contexts).

The \layout block should be placed within the \score block to which it is to apply, after the music.

\layout {
  \context {
    \Voice
    [context settings for all Voice contexts]
  }
  \context {
    \Staff
    [context settings for all Staff contexts]
  }
}

The following types of settings may be specified:

• An \override command, but with the context name omitted.

  \score {
    \relative {
      a'4^"Thicker stems" a a a
      a4 a a\ff a
    }
    \layout {
      \context {
        \Staff
        \override Stem.thickness = 4.0
      }
    }
  }
  

  

• Directly setting a context property.

  \score {
    \relative {
      a'4^"Smaller font" a a a
      a4 a a\ff a
    }
    \layout {
      \context {
        \Staff
        fontSize = -4
      }
    }
  }
  

  

• A predefined command such as \dynamicUp or a music expression like \accidentalStyle dodecaphonic.

  \score {
    \relative {
      a'4^"Dynamics above" a a a
      a4 a a\ff a
    }
    \layout {
      \context {
        \Voice
        \dynamicUp
      }
      \context {
        \Staff
        \accidentalStyle dodecaphonic
      }
    }
  }
  

  

• A user-defined variable containing a \with block; for details of the \with block, see Changing just one specific context.

  StaffDefaults = \with {
    fontSize = -4
  }
  
  \score {
    \new Staff {
      \relative {
        a'4^"Smaller font" a a a
        a4 a a a
      }
    }
    \layout {
      \context {
        \Staff
        \StaffDefaults
      }
    }
  }
  

  

Property-setting commands can be placed in a \layout block without being enclosed in a \context block. Such settings are equivalent to including the same property-setting commands at the start of every context of the type specified. If no context is specified every bottom-level context is affected (see Bottom-level contexts – voices). The syntax of a property-setting command in a \layout block is the same as the same command written in the music stream.

\score {
  \new Staff {
    \relative {
      a'4^"Smaller font" a a a
      a4 a a a
    }
  }
  \layout {
    \accidentalStyle dodecaphonic
    \set fontSize = -4
    \override Voice.Stem.thickness = 4.0
  }
}