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12.2.1 Indicating position and barring

This example demonstrates how to include guitar position and barring indications using a barré line.

\relative {
  \clef "treble_8"
  b,16 d g b e
  \once \override TextSpanner.bound-details.left.text =
    \markup {"XII" \hspace #0.4 }
  \once \override TextSpanner.bound-details.right.text =
    \markup \draw-line #'(0 . -.5)
  \once \override TextSpanner.bound-details.right.padding = -0.65
  \once \override TextSpanner.dash-fraction = 0.4
  \once \override TextSpanner.dash-period = 1.3
  g16\startTextSpan
  b16 e g e b g\stopTextSpan
  e16 b g d
}

A more sophisticated solution can be found in LSR snippet 952.

See also

Notation Reference: Text spanners.

Snippets: Fretted strings, Expressive marks.

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12.2.2 Indicating harmonics and dampened notes

Special note heads can be used to indicate dampened notes or harmonics. Harmonics are normally further explained with a text markup.

\relative {
  \clef "treble_8"
  \override NoteHead.style = #'harmonic-mixed
  d'8^\markup { \italic \fontsize #-2 "harm. 12" } <g b>4
}

Dampened notes (also called dead notes) are supported within normal and tablature staves. In the following example, such notes are shown with pitches in the normal staff, indicating the frets where they are dampened. An alternative notation is to use empty strings instead. In tablature notation, however, it doesn’t make a difference.

music = \relative c' {
  \omit StringNumber

  <a \deadNote cis a'>4
    <b\3 \deadNote dis b'>
    <c\3 \deadNote e\2 c'>
    \deadNotesOn
    \tuplet 3/2 { g8 b e }
    \deadNotesOff
  <a, c e>1
}

\new StaffGroup <<
  \new Staff {
    \clef "treble_8"
    \music
  }
  \new TabStaff {
    \music
  }
>>

Another playing technique (especially used on electric guitars) is called palm mute. The string is hereby partly muted by the palm of the striking hand (hence the name). LilyPond supports the notation of palm mute-style notes by changing the note head to a triangle shape.

\relative c, {
  \clef "G_8"
  \palmMuteOn
    e8^\markup { \musicglyph "noteheads.s2do" = palm mute }
    <e b' e> e
    \palmMuteOff
    e e \palmMute e e e |
  e8 \palmMute { e e e } e e e e |
  <\palmMute e b' e>8 \palmMute { e e e } <\palmMute e b' e>2
}

See also

Snippets: Fretted strings.

Notation Reference: Special note heads, Note head styles.

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12.2.3 Indicating power chords

Power chords and their symbols can be engraved in chord mode or as chord constructs. As an exception, the fifth is specified in these chord names, whereas it is usually left out in other chords (e.g., major or minor triads).

ChordsAndSymbols = {
  \chordmode {
    e,,1:5
    a,,:5.8
    \set TabStaff.restrainOpenStrings = ##t
    \set minimumFret = 8
    c,:5
    f,:5.8
  }
  \set minimumFret = 2
  \set restrainOpenStrings = ##f
  <a, e> <a cis' e'>
  <g d' g'>
}
\score {
  <<
    \new ChordNames {
    \ChordsAndSymbols
    }
    \new Staff {
      \clef "treble_8"
      \ChordsAndSymbols
    }
    \new TabStaff {
      \ChordsAndSymbols
    }
  >>
}

See also

Music Glossary: power chord.

Notation Reference: Extended and altered chords, Printing chord names.

Snippets: Fretted strings.