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Character names

Character names are usually shown to the left of the staff when the staff is dedicated to that character alone:

\score {
  <<
    \new Staff {
      \set Staff.vocalName = \markup \smallCaps Kaspar
      \set Staff.shortVocalName = \markup \smallCaps Kas.
      \relative {
        \clef "G_8"
        c'4 c c c
        \break
        c4 c c c
      }
    }
    \new Staff {
      \set Staff.vocalName = \markup \smallCaps Melchior
      \set Staff.shortVocalName = \markup \smallCaps Mel
      \clef "bass"
      \relative {
        a4 a a a
        a4 a a a
      }
    }
  >>
}

When two or more characters share a staff the character’s name is usually printed above the staff at the start of every section applying to that character. This can be done with markup. Often a specific font is used for this purpose.

\relative c' {
  \clef "G_8"
  c4^\markup \fontsize #1 \smallCaps Kaspar
  c c c
  \clef "bass"
  a4^\markup \fontsize #1 \smallCaps Melchior
  a a a
  \clef "G_8"
  c4^\markup \fontsize #1 \smallCaps Kaspar
  c c c
}

Alternatively, if there are many character changes, it may be easier to set up variables to hold the definitions for each character so that the switch of characters can be indicated easily and concisely.

kaspar = {
  \clef "G_8"
  \set Staff.shortVocalName = "Kas."
  \set Staff.midiInstrument = "voice oohs"
  <>^\markup \smallCaps "Kaspar"
}

melchior = {
  \clef "bass"
  \set Staff.shortVocalName = "Mel."
  \set Staff.midiInstrument = "choir aahs"
  <>^\markup \smallCaps "Melchior"
}

\relative c' {
  \kaspar
  c4 c c c
  \melchior
  a4 a a a
  \kaspar
  c4 c c c
}

See also

Learning Manual: Organizing pieces with variables.

Notation Reference: Text, Text markup commands.