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A basic metronome mark is simple to write:
\tempo 4 = 120 c2 d e4. d8 c2
Tempo indications with text can be used instead:
\tempo "Allegretto" c4 e d c b4. a16 b c4 r4
Combining a metronome mark and text will automatically place the metronome mark within parentheses:
\tempo "Allegro" 4 = 160 g4 c d e d4 b g2
In general, the text can be any markup object:
\tempo \markup { \italic Faster } 4 = 132 a8-. r8 b-. r gis-. r a-. r
A parenthesized metronome mark with no textual indication may be written by including an empty string in the input:
\tempo "" 8 = 96 d4 g e c
Printing metronome and rehearsal marks below the staff
By default, metronome and rehearsal marks are printed above the staff.
To place them below the staff simply set the direction
property
of MetronomeMark
or RehearsalMark
appropriately.
\layout { ragged-right = ##f } { % Metronome marks below the staff \override Score.MetronomeMark #'direction = #DOWN \tempo 8. = 120 c''1 % Rehearsal marks below the staff \override Score.RehearsalMark #'direction = #DOWN \mark \default c''1 }
Changing the tempo without a metronome mark
To change the tempo in MIDI output without printing anything, make the metronome mark invisible:
\score { \new Staff \relative c' { \tempo 4 = 160 c4 e g b c4 b d c \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 96 d,4 fis a cis d4 cis e d } \layout { } \midi { } }
Creating metronome marks in markup mode
New metronome marks can be created in markup mode, but they will not change the tempo in MIDI output.
\relative c' { \tempo \markup { \concat { ( \smaller \general-align #Y #DOWN \note #"16." #1 " = " \smaller \general-align #Y #DOWN \note #"8" #1 ) } } c1 c4 c' c,2 }
For more details, see Formatting text.
Music Glossary: metronome, metronomic indication, tempo indication, metronome mark.
Notation Reference: Formatting text, MIDI output.
Snippets: Staff notation.
Internals Reference: MetronomeMark.