5.3 Common tweaks

Some overrides are so common that predefined commands are provided as short-cuts, such as \slurUp and \stemDown. These commands are described in the Notation Reference under the appropriate sections.

The complete list of modifications available for each type of object (like slurs or beams) are documented in the Program Reference. However, many layout objects share properties which can be used to apply generic tweaks.

• The padding property can be set to increase (or decrease) the distance between symbols that are printed above or below notes. This applies to all objects with side-position-interface.

            
            c2\fermata
            \override Script #'padding = #3
            b2\fermata
       

  

            
            % This will not work, see below:
            \override MetronomeMark #'padding = #3
            \tempo 4=120
            c1
            % This works:
            \override Score.MetronomeMark #'padding = #3
            \tempo 4=80
            d1
       

  

  Note in the second example how important it is to figure out what context handles a certain object. Since the MetronomeMark object is handled in the Score context, property changes in the Voice context will not be noticed. For more details, see Constructing a tweak.

• The extra-offset property moves objects around in the output; it requires a pair of numbers. The first number controls horizontal movement; a positive number will move the object to the right. The second number controls vertical movement; a positive number will move it higher. The extra-offset property is a low-level feature: the formatting engine is completely oblivious to these offsets.

  In the following example, the second fingering is moved a little to the left, and 1.8 staff space downwards:

            
            \stemUp
            f-5
            \once \override Fingering
                #'extra-offset = #'(-0.3 . -1.8)
            f-5
       

  

• Setting the transparent property will cause an object to be printed in ‘invisible ink’: the object is not printed, but all its other behavior is retained. The object still takes up space, it takes part in collisions, and slurs, ties, and beams can be attached to it.

  The following example demonstrates how to connect different voices using ties. Normally, ties only connect two notes in the same voice. By introducing a tie in a different voice,

  

  and blanking the first up-stem in that voice, the tie appears to cross voices:

            
            << {
              \once \override Stem #'transparent = ##t
              b8~ b8\noBeam
            } \\ {
              b[ g8]
            } >>
       

  

  To make sure that the just blanked stem doesn't squeeze the too much tie, we also lengthen the stem, by setting the length to 8,

            
            << {
              \once \override Stem #'transparent = ##t
              \once \override Stem #'length = #8
              b8~ b8\noBeam
            } \\ {
              b[ g8]
            } >>
       

  

Distances in LilyPond are measured in staff-spaces, while most thickness properties are measured in line-thickness. Some properties are different; for example, the thickness of beams are measured in staff-spaces. For more information, see the relevant portion of the program reference.