Here's how I would break your full score up into different files so that I
could print individual parts too:
First, create a "parts.ily" file (The "ily" is not mandatory; "ly" works
fine):
%%% parts.ily %%%
\version "2.24.4"
global = {
\key c \major
\time 4/4
}
flute = \relative c'' {
\global
% Music follows here.
c,4 d e f g1 \bar"|."
}
bassoon = \relative c {
\global
\clef bass
% Music follows here.
a4 b c d e1
}
%%%
I'd put the header and paper blocks into their own file:
%%% header-paper.ily %%%
\version "2.24.4"
\header {
% Remove default LilyPond tagline
tagline = ##f
}
\paper {
#(set-paper-size "letter")
% Add space for instrument names
short-indent = 10\mm
}
%%%
Now I can create a full score and individual parts from these files:
%%% full-score.ly %%%
\version "2.24.4"
\include "/path/to/parts.ily"
\include "/path/to/header-paper.ily"
\score {
\new StaffGroup <<
\new Staff \with {
instrumentName = "Fl."
} \flute
\new Staff \with {
instrumentName = "Bn."
} \bassoon
>>
\layout { }
}
%%%
%%% flute.ly %%%
\version "2.24.4"
\include "/path/to/parts.ily"
\include "/path/to/header-paper.ily"
\score {
\new Staff \flute
\layout { }
}
%%%
%%% bassoon.ly %%%
\version "2.24.4"
\include "/path/to/parts.ily"
\include "/path/to/header-paper.ily"
\score {
\new Staff \bassoon
\layout { }
}
%%%
(Change "path/to" to wherever the "include" files are, or nothing if they
are all in the same folder/directory.) Now all my music is in parts.ily if
I need to change it, and it changes everywhere.
HTH
--
Knute Snortum
On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 11:54 PM Dirck Nagy <[email protected]> wrote:
> Dear Lilypond
>
> Is there a (relatively) simple way to extract and print individual parts
> from a completed score?
>
> I couldn't find any tutorials. A "start to finish" list of instructions
> would be nice; does one exist?
>
> I searched the documentation and this message board, and it seems that
> most people enter the notes in separate files for each instrument, and then
> combine them into a complete score.
>
> I'm trying to do the opposite: the score is already complete.
>
> Here is a simple example created using Frescobaldi's score wizard. How
> could I extract, and then edit and print the flute part?
>
> FYI, I have been using Lilypond for years, but i am a composer, and not
> especially computer savvy.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Dirck
>
> \version "2.24.4"
>
> \header {
> % Remove default LilyPond tagline
> tagline = ##f
> }
>
> \paper {
> #(set-paper-size "letter")
> % Add space for instrument names
> short-indent = 10\mm
> }
>
> global = {
> \key c \major
> \time 4/4
> }
>
> flute = \relative c'' {
> \global
> % Music follows here.
> c,4 d e f g1 \bar"|."
> }
>
> bassoon = \relative c {
> \global
> % Music follows here.
> a4 b c d e1
> }
>
> flutePart = \new Staff \with {
> shortInstrumentName = "Fl."
> } \flute
>
> bassoonPart = \new Staff \with {
> shortInstrumentName = "Bn."
> } { \clef bass \bassoon }
>
> \score {
> <<
> \flutePart
> \bassoonPart
> >>
> \layout { }
> }
>
>
