The music theory content can be found at Music Fundamentals on the Web.
This assigment is about the use of key signatures with lilypond. While we're doing that we'll discuss time signature and tempo entry also.
To enter a key signature in lilypond use the following format (all of these tags require the leading single backslash):
The tempo and time signature formats are similar to the key signature format. If this is a global value for the entire piece, place them at the beginning, before any notes are listed. However for lilypond they can be placed into the flow of the piece as needed. They don't change the playback at all, they are strictly for the lilypond score layout. Below is a summary of the these entry formats.
This page already has an A major scale with a key signature of 3 sharps ('\key a \major') added to the lilypond note entry field. Make two additions to the current note entries:
Be sure keep the required spaces. Make sure you have a space between the opening curly brace and the tempo marker. Also use a space on both sides of the equals sign ('4 = 170' not '4=170'). After entering the tempo and time signature markers, (click stop then) play it to make sure it still works. If so, copy the lilypond note code to your course lilypond file (and save). Now copy the lilypond score code from the bottom of the page and paste it in your course lilypond file (and save). Now open lilypond and paste the lilypond score code into a lilypond window. Save it and Run to create the pdf. Notice that the key signature is 3 sharps so no accidentals are used now (the key signature is now in force). Also notice the tempo marking of 'allegro' 4 = 170 and the time signature of 5/4. That's all there is for this assignment.
One additional point. You might wonder if the \\relative tag should read \\relative a' (since we're in the key of A). Yes you can do that, you can set the first note relative to any pitch that you want. However it is common to just leave it relative to c' (or whichever octave of c that you want). Notice the octave difference using \\relative a'. Since a' is a higher note than c' (remember the octave number changes on c not a) the scale will start on A above middle C. If you wanted to start on A below middle C (which happens with \\relative c') you should use \\relative a (no apostrophe) (or \\relative c'). Feel free to set the \\relative starting note to anything that makes sense and works for you.