#### 3.1.2 Pitches

The most common syntax for pitch entry is used in `\chords` and `\notes` mode. In these modes, pitches may be designated by names. The notes are specified by the letters `a` through `g`, while the octave is formed with notes ranging from `c` to `b`. The pitch `c` is an octave below middle C and the letters span the octave above that C

>          \clef bass
>          a,4 b, c d e f g a b c' d' e' \clef treble f' g' a' b' c''

A sharp is formed by adding `-is` to the end of a pitch name and a flat is formed by adding `-es`. Double sharps and double flats are obtained by adding `-isis` or `-eses`. These names are the Dutch note names. In Dutch, `aes` is contracted to `as`, but both forms are accepted. Similarly, both `es` and `ees` are accepted.

Half-flats and half-sharps are formed by adding `-eh` and `-ih`; the following is a series of Cs with increasing pitches

>          ceses4
>          ceseh
>          ces
>          ceh
>          c
>          cih
>          cis
>          cisih
>          cisis

There are predefined sets of note names for various other languages. To use them, include the language specific init file. For example: `\include "english.ly"`. The available language files and the note names they define are

                                 Note Names               sharp       flat
         nederlands.ly  c   d   e   f   g   a   bes b   -is         -es
         english.ly     c   d   e   f   g   a   bf  b   -s/-sharp   -f/-flat
                                                        -x (double)
         deutsch.ly     c   d   e   f   g   a   b   h   -is         -es
         norsk.ly       c   d   e   f   g   a   b   h   -iss/-is    -ess/-es
         svenska.ly     c   d   e   f   g   a   b   h   -iss        -ess
         italiano.ly    do  re  mi  fa  sol la  sib si  -d          -b
         catalan.ly     do  re  mi  fa  sol la  sib si  -d/-s       -b
         espanol.ly     do  re  mi  fa  sol la  sib si  -s          -b

The optional octave specification takes the form of a series of single quote (``'`') characters or a series of comma (``,`') characters. Each `'` raises the pitch by one octave; each `,` lowers the pitch by an octave

>          c' c'' es' g' as' gisis' ais'

##### Predefined commands

Notes can be hidden and unhidden with the following commands

`\hideNotes`, `\unHideNotes`.

##### See also

Program reference: NoteEvent, and NoteHead.

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