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3.1 Input modes

The way in which the notation contained within an input file is interpreted is determined by the current input mode. In general, there are two ways of specifying the mode: a long form, e.g. \chordmode, and a short form, e.g. \chords. The long form is typically used when supplying input to a variable or when entering input directly into an explicitly created context. The short form implicitly creates a context of the correct type for the input and passes the input directly to it. It is useful in simple situations when there is no requirement to explicitly create the receiving context.

Chord mode

This is activated with the \chordmode command, and causes input to be interpreted with the syntax of chord notation, see Chord notation. Music in chord mode is rendered as chords on a staff when entered into a Staff context, as chord names when entered into a ChordNames context or as fretboards when entered into a FretBoards context.

Chord mode is also activated with the \chords command. This also causes the following input to be interpreted with the syntax of chord notation but in addition it implicitly creates a new ChordNames context and renders the input into it as chord names, see Printing chord names.

Drum mode

This is activated with the \drummode command, and causes input to be interpreted with the syntax of drum notation, see Basic percussion notation. Music in drum mode is rendered as percussion notes when entered into a DrumStaff context.

Drum mode is also activated with the \drums command. This also causes the following input to be interpreted with the syntax of drum notation but in addition it implicitly creates a new DrumStaff context and renders the input into it as percussion notes, see Basic percussion notation.

Figure mode

This is activated with the \figuremode command, and causes input to be interpreted with the syntax of figured bass, see Entering figured bass. Music in figure mode is rendered as figured bass when entered into a FiguredBass context or a Staff context.

Figure mode is also activated with the \figures command. This also causes the following input to be interpreted with the figured bass syntax but in addition it implicitly creates a new FiguredBass context and renders the input into it as figured bass, see Introduction to figured bass.

Fret and tab modes

There are no special input modes for entering fret and tab symbols.

To create tab diagrams, enter notes or chords in note mode and render them in a TabStaff context, see Default tablatures.

To create fret diagrams above a staff, enter notes or chords in either note mode or chord mode and render them in a FretBoards context, see Automatic fret diagrams. Alternatively, fret diagrams can be entered as markup above the notes using the \fret-diagram command, see Fret diagram markups.

Lyrics mode

This is activated with the \lyricmode command, and causes input to be interpreted as lyric syllables with optional durations and associated lyric modifiers, see Vocal music. Input in lyric mode is rendered as lyric syllables when entered into a Lyrics context.

Lyric mode is also activated with the \lyrics command. This also causes the following input to be interpreted as lyric syllables but in addition it implicitly creates a new Lyrics context and renders the input into it as lyric syllables.

Lyric mode is also activated with the \addlyrics command. This also implicitly creates a new Lyrics context and in addition it adds an implicit \lyricsto command which associates the following lyrics with the preceding music, see Automatic syllable durations.

Markup mode

This is activated with the \markup command, and causes input to be interpreted with the syntax of markup, see Text markup commands.

Note mode

This is the default mode or it may be activated with the \notemode command. Input is interpreted as pitches, durations, markup, etc and typeset as musical notation on a staff.

It is not normally necessary to specify note mode explicitly, but it may be useful to do so in certain situations, for example if you are in lyric mode, chord mode or any other mode and want to insert something that only can be done with note mode syntax.

% This ...

<<
  \chords { g1:m }
  { f'1 }
  \lyrics { foo1 }
  \drums { sn1 }
  \figures { <6 4>1 }
>>

% ... is equivalent to

<<
  \new ChordNames \chordmode { g1:m }
  \new Voice \notemode { f'1 }
  \new Lyrics \lyricmode { foo1 }
  \new DrumStaff \drummode { sn1 }
  \new FiguredBass \figuremode { <6 4>1 }
>>