Re: feature request: syntax for vocal music to simplify autobeaming and melisma settings

[Russ Ross]

Wilbert Berendsen <lilykde <at> xs4all.nl> writes:
> Can't you just write:
> 
> \autoBeamOff
> a c d e[ f g] a
> 
> when autobeam is off, the manual beams already trigger a melisma in the 
> lyrics.

No, this does not do the same thing. Take this example
extracted from a Tallis mass:


\version "2.12.3"

\context Staff <<
    \clef treble
    \new Voice = notes \relative c'' {
        \time 3/2
        \key d \major
        \autoBeamOff
        r2 a2. a4 |
        g2 fis4 fis r fis |
        b2.[[ a8 g fis4 e |
        e4 fis2 e8 d cis d b4 |
        a4 d]] cis1
    }
    \lyricsto notes \new Lyrics \lyricmode {
        Do -- mi -- nus De -- us Sa -- ba -- oth.
    }
>>


The correct output is here:

http://static.russross.com/doc/correct.pdf


Replacing the "[[" with "[" and "]]" with "]" to indicate
manual beaming has two problems:

1. Lilypond gives no fewer than 16 warning messages.

2. The beaming is wrong.  The run of 4 8th notes in the fourth
measure is beamed into a single group, while default auto beaming
rules split it into two pairs of 8th notes.  This gets even worse
in the longer melismata typical of Renaissance music.

The incorrect output is here:

http://static.russross.com/doc/incorrect.pdf


It is the magic combination of

  \autoBeamOn <1st>\melisma ... <last>\melismaEnd \autoBeamOff

that makes everything work correctly.

- Russ