Thank you, Lukas!
On Wed, 1 Apr 2026, Lukas-Fabian Moser wrote:
> Setting the X-offset without a Context specification affects the
> InstrumentName grob (taken from vocalName) for Lyrics. It also would affect
> the InstrumentName in a Voice context, but this doesn't get created. If you
> specify Staff.InstrumentName.X-offset, you only affect the InstrumentName
> in Staff contexts without affecting those in a Lyrics context. If you
> specify Score.InstrumentName.X-offset, you affect all InstrumentName grobs
> (as they all live in child contexts of Score).
>
I think I understand this explanation; thank you.
I created another MWE (below) to test it.
The behaviour of this MWE is in line with your explanation except for one
thing.
\override InstrumentName.X-offset = #2.5 works (does not cause any
problems) even if I comment out
\new Lyrics \words
which is hard for me to understand given the following (from your message):
Lyrics is a bottom context, whereas in usual music, the Bottom context is a
> Voice context.
%%% SNIPPET BEGINS
\version "2.25.80"
vocals = \new Staff
\with {
instrumentName = "Soprano"
shortInstrumentName = "Sop."
}
{ \repeat unfold 40 { g'2 }
<>^\markup \italic { now alto }
\set Staff.instrumentName = "Alto"
\set Staff.shortInstrumentName = "Alt."
\repeat unfold 40 { f'2 }
}
words = \lyricmode {
\set stanza = "One"
\set shortVocalName = "1"
\repeat unfold 80 test
}
cello = \new Staff
\with {
instrumentName = "Violoncello"
shortInstrumentName = "Vc."
}
{
\clef bass
\repeat unfold 80 { c2 }
}
\layout {
* \override InstrumentName.X-offset = #2.5 % ^ shifts shortVocalName to
the right % as desired, but, per Lukas, % \override
Lyrics.InstrumentName.X-offset = #2.5 % would be clearer*}
<<
\vocals
\new Lyrics \words
\cello
>>
%%% SNIPPET ENDS
