As we saw in Simple notation, LilyPond calculates the pitch of
each note relative to the previous one1. If no extra octave marks
(' and ,) are added, it assumes that each pitch is within
a fourth of the previous note.
LilyPond examines pitches based on the note names – in other words, an augmented fourth is not the same as a diminished fifth. If we begin at a C, then an F-sharp will be placed a higher than the C, while a G-flat will be placed lower than the C.
c2 fis
c2 ges
- Relative octaves
- see Relative octaves.
- Octave check
- see Octave check.
[1] There is another mode of entering pitches, Absolute note names, but in practice relative mode is much easier and safer to use.
This page is for LilyPond-2.10.25 (stable-branch).
Other languages: French.