Next: , Previous: Time signature, Up: Displaying rhythms


1.2.3.2 Upbeats

Partial or pick-up measures, such as an anacrusis or upbeat, are entered using the \partial command, with the syntax

\partial duration

where duration is the rhythmic length of the interval before the start of the first complete measure:

     
     \partial 4 e4 |
     a2. c,4 |

[image of music]

The partial measure can be any duration less than a full measure:

     
     \partial 8*3 c8 d e |
     a2. c,4 |

[image of music]

Internally, this is translated into

\set Timing.measurePosition = -duration

The property measurePosition contains a rational number indicating how much of the measure has passed at this point. Note that this is set to a negative number by the \partial command: i.e., \partial 4 is internally translated to -4, meaning “there is a quarter note left in the measure.”

See also

Music Glossary: anacrusis

Notation Reference: Grace notes

Snippets: Rhythms.

Internal Reference: Timing_translator

Known issues and warnings

The \partial command is intended to be used only at the beginning of a piece. If you use it after the beginning, some odd warnings may occur.

This page is for LilyPond-2.11.58 (development-branch).

Report errors to http://post.gmane.org/post.php?group=gmane.comp.gnu.lilypond.bugs.

Your suggestions for the documentation are welcome.

Other languages: français, español, deutsch.