On creating a new all-encompassing drum mode (with example)
From:
Mike J. Bell
Subject:
On creating a new all-encompassing drum mode (with example)
Date:
Wed, 8 Jun 2011 08:36:41 -0400
(reposted from lilypond-user at the suggestion of one of the readers, and includes my script)
I'm interested in making a custom drum mode that more accurately
reflects the rules in Weinberg's Guide To Standardized Drumset
Notation. Some of the pieces seem to be straightforward, others not so
much. I made an example file that was as close as I could get it, but
there are a number of problems with my approach. In particular, one
notehead uses custom postscript; two others use standard lilypond
noteheads that aren't quite right; and there are other expressive marks
or articulations that aren't 100%. So not only am I not getting exactly
the output I want, it's also moderately difficult to enter the notes
themselves in some cases.
Has anyone already looked into updating lilypond's drum features to
be compliant with GSDN? If not, is there anyone out there that's put
extensive time/effort into customizing their drum modes that would be
willing to share their work so I might see best (or better!) practices
on how to approach this?
Specific notes on some of the major problems with my approach:
1) I'd like the halfopen articulation to be a 0 with line straight up-and-down through it instead of slanted...my guess is this mark is embedded in the font and hard to change
2) The staccatissimo articulation appears directly over the choked cymbal note, instead of slightly behind (to the right) of it 3) The rimshot slash is rendered with custom postscript per notehead 4) There is no "circled default" notehead, so I used xcircle instead
5) The triangle notehead isn't the proper orientation for percussion (wide isosceles with base parallel to staff lines) 6) The acciaccatura I use for flams doesn't put the slur line in the direction I wish (it's over instead of under)
7) The grace I used for ruffs and drags doesn't put the slur line in the direction I wish (but I think I can override this)
These are mostly appearance-related. Functional- or use-related issues are that I'd really like to be able to make new note names that are like macros so I don't need to be so specific at invocation. I kind of want something like (pardon the pseudocode):