Re: example files (was "Re: SATB 2-staff template and request for suggestions")

[Chris Sawer]

In message <address@hidden>
          David Raleigh Arnold <address@hidden> wrote:

[...]

> Mutopia can be very helpful, but there are problems with the
> files there as examples:
> 
> 1.  It is not clear before download what version of lilypond was used to
> create a file.  There is a very nice footer at the bottom of
> Mutopia-2004/01/05-38S, but lilypond is not mentioned, nor is the
> version used to create the file.  Some Mutopia files are quite old, and
> that is not a bad thing, but it would be helpful if you didn't have to
> load or open anything to find out the version.

You don't have to open anything to find out the version; it is displayed on
each piece's information page. If you've searched for music and got a table
of results, you'll need to click on the 'extra information' link. It is now
possible to search by Lilypond version on the advanced search page.

> 2.  There are mistakes.  For example, in Mutopia-2004/01/05-380
> the first note is not dotted and 34 or so dots are just missing.
> (The lower part should be dotsDown.)

I'm not sure if this is a LilyPond problem, or a problem with the piece. In
the source all of the notes /are/ dotted, but you're right - in the output,
they're not. I compiled the piece with LilyPond 2.1.7. I've CCed this mail to
the contributor in case he wants to comment.

> 3.  In the same file, three parts are written but the "global" part is
> prefatory rather than sumultaneous, so that the benefit of having a
> global part is not realized.  It would be better to call that part
> "prep" or something other than global, in case one wants both.  The
> setting is adequate except for the dotted notes, and it has excellences,
> and it works, but my concern is that it doesn't serve as a very good
> example for a newbie.
> 
> 4.  Last, there is some questionable notation here and there.  There
> is a great need for constructive criticism, and I don't feel that
> it would be appreciated.

I don't comment on the LilyPond style of pieces contributed to the archive,
partly because it's up to the individual contributors, and partly because I'm
no expert in LilyPond myself. I don't think the primary aim of the archive is
to provide examples for people learning LilyPond, although it can certainly
be very helpful. I agree absolutely with previous comments that LilyPond
should include a small selection of relevent examples, well coded and
extensively documented.

I'm always open to constructive criticism about the archive itself, however,
and about the pieces I have contributed. I can't promise I'll have time to do
anything about problems, as I'm extremely busy, but I'd still like to know
about them!

Chris

-- 
Chris Sawer   -   address@hidden   -   Mutopia team leader
Free sheet music for all at Mutopia:  http://www.MutopiaProject.org