Skip to content
Gen

Multi-Part Scores

Gen supports writing music for multiple instruments with automatic transposition for Bb, Eb, and F instruments.

Basic Multi-Part Structure

Define parts with @part:instrument, one per line:

---
title: Duet
time-signature: 4/4
---


@part:trumpet C D E F
@part:trombone G A B ^C

Each @part: line defines one measure for that instrument.

Part Continuation

Use \\ to continue all parts to the next measure:

@part:trumpet C D E F
@part:trombone G A B ^C


\\ E F G A
\\ B ^C ^D ^E


\\ ^C ^D ^E ^F
\\ ^E ^F ^G ^A

The \\ lines are paired in order with the original @part: definitions:

  • First \\ continues trumpet
  • Second \\ continues trombone

Multi-Measure Example

---
title: Brass Fanfare
time-signature: 4/4
key-signature: Bb
---


@part:trumpet ^F ^G ^Ap ^F
@part:trombone Bb ^C ^Dp Bb


\\ ^F ^G ^A ^Bb
\\ Bb ^C ^D ^Eb


\\ ^Ao $ $ $
\\ ^Do $ $ $

Supported Instruments

Concert Pitch (C)

These instruments read at concert pitch:

InstrumentClefGen Name
FluteTrebleflute
OboeTrebleoboe
BassoonBassbassoon
TromboneBasstrombone
TubaBasstuba
PianoTreblepiano
ViolinTrebleviolin
ViolaAltoviola
CelloBasscello
BassBassbass
GuitarTrebleguitar

Bb Instruments

These instruments transpose down a major 2nd:

InstrumentClefGen Name
Bb TrumpetTrebletrumpet
Bb ClarinetTrebleclarinet
Soprano SaxTreblesoprano-sax
Tenor SaxTrebletenor-sax

Written C sounds as Bb.

Eb Instruments

These instruments transpose:

InstrumentClefGen Name
Alto SaxTreblealto-sax
Baritone SaxTreblebaritone-sax

Written C sounds as Eb (alto) or Eb an octave lower (bari).

F Instruments

InstrumentClefGen Name
French HornTreblefrench-horn

Written C sounds as F.

Written Notation Mode

The written-notation metadata field controls how notes are interpreted:

Concert Mode (Default)

---
written-notation: concert
---


@part:trumpet C D E F

Notes are in concert pitch. A C for trumpet sounds as C concert and will be written as D on the trumpet part.

Transposed Mode

---
written-notation: transposed
---


@part:trumpet C D E F

Notes are as written on the part. A C for trumpet IS C on the page (sounds as Bb concert). Use this when transcribing from conductor’s scores where parts are already transposed.

Mod Points

Mod points let you write instrument-specific octave adjustments on a single line:

C D E F @Bb:^ @Eb:_

This means:

  • Bb instruments (trumpet, clarinet, sax) play one octave up
  • Eb instruments (alto sax, bari sax) play one octave down
  • Concert pitch instruments play as written

Mod Point Syntax

SyntaxMeaning
@Bb:^Bb instruments up one octave
@Bb:_Bb instruments down one octave
@Eb:^Eb instruments up one octave
@Eb:_Eb instruments down one octave
@F:^F instruments up one octave
@F:_F instruments down one octave

When to Use Mod Points

Mod points are useful for:

  • Lead sheets where all parts are on one line
  • Quick sketches before separating into parts
  • Scores where instruments double at different octaves
---
title: Lead Sheet
time-signature: 4/4
---


{Cmaj7} C E G B @Bb:^ @Eb:_
{Am7} A ^C ^E ^G @Bb:^ @Eb:_
{Dm7} D F A ^C @Bb:^ @Eb:_
{G7} G B ^D ^F @Bb:^ @Eb:_

Measure Octave Modifiers

Shift all notes in a measure regardless of instrument:

@part:trumpet C D E F @:^
@part:trombone G A B ^C @:_
  • @:^ shifts all notes up one octave
  • @:_ shifts all notes down one octave
  • @:^^ and @:__ for two octaves

Full Example: Brass Quartet

---
title: Simple Brass Quartet
composer: Example
time-signature: 4/4
key-signature: Bb
tempo: 100
---


@part:trumpet ^Bbp ^Dp
@part:trumpet Fp Ap
@part:french-horn Dp Fp
@part:trombone Bbp Dp


\\ ^Fp ^Ep ^Dp ^C
\\ Ap Gp Fp Eb
\\ Fp Ebp Dp C
\\ Dp Cp Bbp Ab


\\ ^Bbo $ $ $
\\ Fo $ $ $
\\ Do $ $ $
\\ Bbo $ $ $

Tips

  1. Keep parts aligned: Each measure should have the same number of \\ lines as @part: definitions
  2. Use blank lines: Separate measures with blank lines for readability
  3. Concert pitch by default: Unless you’re transcribing transposed parts, write in concert pitch
  4. Check instrument names: Use exact names like trumpet, alto-sax, french-horn

Next Steps