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<a name="Input-modes"></a>
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<h4 class="subsection">5.4.1 Input modes</h4>
<p>The way in which the notation contained within an input file is
interpreted is determined by the current input mode.
<p><strong>Chord mode</strong>
<p>This is activated with the <code>\chordmode</code> command, and causes
input to be interpreted with the syntax of chord notation, see
<a href="Chord-notation.html#Chord-notation">Chord notation</a>. Chords are rendered as notes on a staff.
<p>Chord mode is also activated with the <code>\chords</code> command.
This also creates a new <code>ChordNames</code> context and
causes the following input to be interpreted with the syntax of
chord notation and rendered as chord names in the <code>ChordNames</code>
context, see <a href="Printing-chord-names.html#Printing-chord-names">Printing chord names</a>.
<p><strong>Drum mode</strong>
<p>This is activated with the <code>\drummode</code> command, and causes
input to be interpreted with the syntax of drum notation, see
<a href="Basic-percussion-notation.html#Basic-percussion-notation">Basic percussion notation</a>.
<p>Drum mode is also activated with the <code>\drums</code> command.
This also creates a new <code>DrumStaff</code> context and causes the
following input to be interpreted with the syntax of drum notation
and rendered as drum symbols on a drum staff, see <a href="Basic-percussion-notation.html#Basic-percussion-notation">Basic percussion notation</a>.
<p><strong>Figure mode</strong>
<p>This is activated with the <code>\figuremode</code> command, and causes
input to be interpreted with the syntax of figured bass, see
<a href="Entering-figured-bass.html#Entering-figured-bass">Entering figured bass</a>.
<p>Figure mode is also activated with the <code>\figures</code> command.
This also creates a new <code>FiguredBass</code> context and causes the
following input to be interpreted with the figured bass syntax
and rendered as figured bass symbols in the <code>FiguredBass</code>
context, see <a href="Introduction-to-figured-bass.html#Introduction-to-figured-bass">Introduction to figured bass</a>.
<p><strong>Fret and tab modes</strong>
<p>There are no special input modes for entering fret and tab symbols.
<p>To create tab diagrams, enter notes or chords in note mode and
render them in a <code>TabStaff</code> context, see
<a href="Default-tablatures.html#Default-tablatures">Default tablatures</a>.
<p>To create fret diagrams above a staff, you have two choices.
You can either use the <code>FretBoards</code> context (see
<a href="Automatic-fret-diagrams.html#Automatic-fret-diagrams">Automatic fret diagrams</a> or you can enter them as a markup
above the notes using the <code>\fret-diagram</code> command (see
<a href="Fret-diagram-markups.html#Fret-diagram-markups">Fret diagram markups</a>).
<p><strong>Lyrics mode</strong>
<p>This is activated with the <code>\lyricmode</code> command, and causes
input to be interpreted as lyric syllables with optional durations
and associated lyric modifiers, see <a href="Vocal-music.html#Vocal-music">Vocal music</a>.
<p>Lyric mode is also activated with the <code>\addlyrics</code> command.
This also creates a new <code>Lyrics</code> context and an implicit
<code>\lyricsto</code> command which associates the following lyrics
with the preceding music.
<p><strong>Markup mode</strong>
<p>This is activated with the <code>\markup</code> command, and causes
input to be interpreted with the syntax of markup, see
<a href="Text-markup-commands.html#Text-markup-commands">Text markup commands</a>.
<!-- silly work-around for texinfo broken-ness -->
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<p><b>Note mode</b>
<p>This is the default mode or it may be activated with the
<code>\notemode</code> command. Input is interpreted as pitches,
durations, markup, etc and typeset as musical notation on a staff.
<p>It is not normally necessary to specify note mode explicitly, but
it may be useful to do so in certain situations, for example if you
are in lyric mode, chord mode or any other mode and want to insert
something that only can be done with note mode syntax.
<p>For example, to indicate dynamic markings for the verses of a
choral pieces it is necessary to enter note mode to interpret
the markings:
<blockquote>
<pre class="verbatim">
{ c4 c4 c4 c4 }
\addlyrics {
\notemode{\set stanza = \markup{ \dynamic f 1. } }
To be sung loudly
}
\addlyrics {
\notemode{\set stanza = \markup{ \dynamic p 2. } }
To be sung quietly
}
</pre>
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