Re: custom key signatures

[Keith OHara]

james <james.lilypond <at> googlemail.com> writes:

> >> If you define an unusual key signature with G-flat and A-flat
> >> 
> >> \new Staff { \clef bass
> >> \override Staff.KeySignature #'flat-positions = #'(5)
> >> \set Staff.keySignature = #`(( 4 . ,FLAT) ( 5 . ,FLAT))
> >> f4 ges as b }

> Brain fart. the space below the first line is 1, not zero. 

The staff-positions start with 0 at the center of the staff, so the bottom
staff-line is -4 and the top is position 4.  
This info is a little far away, in Learning Manual 4.5.1.

> And the A-flat? Assuming I want that on [] space above first line? 

If the A-flat is too high on position 4, say
   \override Staff.KeySignature #'flat-positions = #'(3)
to put the flats on the top space (position 3) or below.

The 'flat-positions is not meant for positioning each alteration 
individually, but rather for setting the overall range of positions, 
so that new key signatures come out in that range as you change keys
or change clefs.

So long as your desired positions lie within an octave, specify the
top-most position.  (The manual shows a slightly more complicated form
to cover more than one octave, like in the old Bach manuscripts.)