diff --git a/ly/engraver-init.ly b/ly/engraver-init.ly
index ed7698e..cd17b2c 100644
--- a/ly/engraver-init.ly
+++ b/ly/engraver-init.ly
@@ -87,6 +87,19 @@
 \context {
   \Staff
   \type "Engraver_group"
+  \name "SmallStaff"
+  \alias "Staff"
+
+  fontSize = #-3
+  \override StaffSymbol #'staff-space = #(magstep -3)
+
+  \description "Creates a smaller staff for use with piano accompaniaments
+and other purposes."
+}
+
+\context {
+  \Staff
+  \type "Engraver_group"
   \name "DrumStaff"
   \alias "Staff"
 
@@ -120,6 +133,7 @@
   shortVocalName = #'()
 
   \accepts "Staff"
+  \accepts "SmallStaff"
   \accepts "DrumStaff"
   \accepts "RhythmicStaff"
   \accepts "GrandStaff"
@@ -294,6 +308,7 @@ contained staves are connected vertically."
 
   \defaultchild "Staff"
   \accepts "Staff"
+  \accepts "SmallStaff"
   \accepts "FiguredBass"
   \accepts "Dynamics"
 }
@@ -332,6 +347,7 @@ instrument names at the start of each system."
 
   \defaultchild "Staff"
   \accepts "Staff"
+  \accepts "SmallStaff"
   \accepts "RhythmicStaff"
   \accepts "DrumStaff"
   \accepts "GrandStaff"
@@ -505,6 +521,7 @@ automatically when an output definition (a @code{\score} or
 
   \accepts "FretBoards"
   \accepts "Staff"
+  \accepts "SmallStaff"
   \accepts "RhythmicStaff"
   \accepts "TabStaff"
   \accepts "VaticanaStaff"