LilyPond Notation Reference: 5.1.1 Contexts explained

### 5.1.1 Contexts explained

Contexts are arranged hierarchically:

#### Score - the master of all contexts

This is the top level notation context. No other context can contain a Score context. By default the Score context handles the administration of time signatures and makes sure that items such as clefs, time signatures, and key-signatures are aligned across staves.

A Score context is instantiated implicitly when a `\score {…}` or `\layout {…}` block is processed.

#### Top-level contexts - staff containers

StaffGroup

Groups staves while adding a bracket on the left side, grouping the staves together. The bar lines of the contained staves are connected vertically. `StaffGroup` only consists of a collection of staves, with a bracket in front and spanning bar lines.

ChoirStaff

Identical to `StaffGroup` except that the bar lines of the contained staves are not connected vertically.

GrandStaff

A group of staves, with a brace on the left side, grouping the staves together. The bar lines of the contained staves are connected vertically.

PianoStaff

Just like `GrandStaff`, but with support for instrument names to the left of each system.

#### Intermediate-level contexts - staves

Staff

Handles clefs, bar lines, keys, accidentals. It can contain `Voice` contexts.

RhythmicStaff

Like `Staff` but for printing rhythms. Pitches are ignored; the notes are printed on one line.

TabStaff

Context for generating tablature. By default lays the music expression out as a guitar tablature, printed on six lines.

DrumStaff

Handles typesetting for percussion. Can contain `DrumVoice`

VaticanaStaff

Same as `Staff`, except that it is designed for typesetting a piece in gregorian style.

MensuralStaff

Same as `Staff`, except that it is designed for typesetting a piece in mensural style.

#### Bottom-level contexts - voices

Voice-level contexts initialise certain properties and start appropriate engravers. Being bottom-level contexts, they cannot contain other contexts.

Voice

Corresponds to a voice on a staff. This context handles the conversion of dynamic signs, stems, beams, super- and sub-scripts, slurs, ties, and rests. You have to instantiate this explicitly if you require multiple voices on the same staff.

VaticanaVoice

Same as `Voice`, except that it is designed for typesetting a piece in gregorian style.

MensuralVoice

Same as `Voice`, with modifications for typesetting a piece in mensural style.

Lyrics

Corresponds to a voice with lyrics. Handles the printing of a single line of lyrics.

DrumVoice

The voice context used in a percussion staff.

FiguredBass

The context in which `BassFigure` objects are created from input entered in `\figuremode` mode.

TabVoice

The voice context used within a `TabStaff` context. Usually left to be created implicitly.

CueVoice

A voice context used to render notes of a reduced size, intended primarily for adding cue notes to a staff, see Formatting cue notes. Usually left to be created implicitly.

ChordNames

Typesets chord names.

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