1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
3 Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
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11 @unnumbered Introduction
13 @divClass{column-center-top}
16 @imageFloat{flat-design,png,right}
18 LilyPond came about when two musicians wanted to go beyond the
19 soulless look of computer-printed sheet music. Musicians prefer
20 reading beautiful music, so why couldn't programmers write
21 software to produce elegant printed parts?
23 The result is a program that creates beautiful sheet music
24 following the best traditions of classical music engraving.
25 It takes care of the details of layout programmatically,
26 allowing composers, transcribers and publishers to focus
27 on the @emph{music} instead of improving their software's
28 default output. Performers will get parts that let them
29 concentrate on @emph{playing} music instead of @emph{reading} it.
34 @divClass{link-headings}
36 @divClass{column-left-top}
37 @subheading What LilyPond does
42 @ref{Features}: What can LilyPond do?
45 @ref{Examples}: I want to see some music!
48 @ref{Freedom}: LilyPond is Free Software.
51 @ref{Background}: Our computational aesthetics.
56 @divClass{column-right-top}
57 @subheading LilyPond in use
61 @ref{Productions}: Real-life use of LilyPond.
64 @ref{Reviews}: What do people say?
69 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
70 @subheading How LilyPond works
74 @ref{Text input}: You write music as @emph{text}?!
77 @ref{Easier editing}: Other ways of working with LilyPond.
84 @c TRANSLATORS, translations are not yet compiled in Info format, so
85 @c it's not worth translating the right column of the following
89 * Features:: What can LilyPond do?
90 * Examples:: I want to see some music!
91 * Freedom:: Freedom and the GPL.
92 * Background:: Computational aesthetics.
93 * Productions:: Real-life use of LilyPond.
94 * Reviews:: What do people say about it?
95 * Text input:: You write music as text?!
96 * Easier editing:: Other ways of working with LilyPond.
103 @unnumberedsec Features
104 @divClass{column-center-top}
107 @subheading Excellent classical engraving
109 @imageFloat{flat-design,png,right}
111 LilyPond allows musicians to produce elegant sheet music that is
112 easy to read. Its developer community has spent thousands of hours
113 developing powerful music engraving software that results in beautifully
114 engraved music. All of LilyPond's style settings, font designs and
115 algorithms have been inspired by the finest hand-engraved music.
116 LilyPond output has the same strong, balanced and elegant look as the
117 best-engraved classical scores. This is further explained in our
123 @divClass{column-center-top}
124 @subheading Text input
126 @subsubheading Everything is explicit
128 LilyPond processes text input, which contains all information
129 about the @emph{content} of your score and can easily be read
130 by any human or another program. There are no obscure
131 settings hidden behind menu items and binary file storage.
133 Read more about this concept on @ref{Text input}.
136 @subsubheading Tweaks are robust and traceable
138 If you have to change anything in the layout this tweak will
139 also be explicitly visible in the input file in human-readable
140 form, so you will always be able to retrace what you've done.
141 If you should accidentally break anything you can easily revert
142 or modify any decision without being at the mercy of an
143 @emph{Undo} function.
146 @subsubheading Text files are failure- and future-proof
148 Text files are very robust against file corruption. And as they are
149 human-readable, you will always be able to interpret them even if
150 you don't have access to the programs that created them.
153 @subsubheading Manage your scores with version control
155 Text files are applicable to be managed by version control. Go
156 for it and experience infinite and selective undo/redo mechanisms
157 and the full development history of your scores. Version control
158 may also open up new (collaborative) workflows for you.
162 @divClass{column-center-top}
163 @subheading Usability
165 @imageFloat{lilypond-book,png,right}
168 @subsubheading Effective layout choices
170 Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the
171 formatting correct right from the start. It determines spacing by
172 itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform
173 layout. Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved
174 and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically!
177 @subsubheading Mix music and text
179 Put fragments of music into texts without cutting and pasting
180 pictures. Integrate music into @LaTeX{} or HTML seamlessly, or add
181 music to OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice with OOoLilyPond. Plugins are
182 also available to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and wikis, making
183 online collaboration possible.
186 @subsubheading Accessibility
188 Text-based input also makes score-writing possible for users with
189 severe physical disabilities. Dexterity-impaired users who are
190 unable to type or control a computer mouse can use
191 speech-recognition software to edit LilyPond files. Even users
192 who are totally blind can use screen-reading software to write
193 LilyPond files -- an impossible task in graphical-based
194 score-writing programs.
195 You can see a spectacular score on @ref{Examples}.
197 @subsubheading Editor diversity
199 Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users,
200 have written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing
201 LilyPond files faster and more effective; you are not tied to
202 a single user interface but can use different tools for different tasks.
203 You can even use a full-fledged LilyPond editor at home and use your
204 mobile phone's notepad app to edit the files on the go. For some examples,
205 see @ref{Easier editing}.
206 @c TODO: Change this when the new pages have been written and pushed
211 @divClass{column-center-top}
213 @subheading Extensible design
215 @subsubheading Easy management of style sheets
217 All layout settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical
218 taste. So you can easily write style sheets that change every aspect of
219 LilyPond scores' default appearance. As these are also written as text
220 and can be stored in separate files you can simply switch between two
221 stylesheets to produce scores with a completely different appearance or
223 You want to print a score on A4 paper and project it with a beamer,
224 one system per page? LilyPond's layout engine will effortlessly produce
225 both from the same input.
227 @subsubheading Add your own functions
229 If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in
230 scripting language Scheme, which can access LilyPond's layout
231 engine at the same level as LilyPond itself does, making it
232 a @emph{very} powerful tool.
233 Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the
234 comprehensive program reference manual.
236 @subsubheading Process scores programmatically
238 LilyPond input files can fully be edited or even generated by programs
239 and scripts. This can for example be used for algorithmical composition.
240 But you can also access the musical content for analysis, or manage
241 input fragments in a database. There are no limitations except your
245 @subsubheading Create new tools using LilyPond
247 As LilyPond isn't a monolithic GUI program but a command line tool it
248 can be used from within other applications too. This way it is possible
249 to equip tools like e.g. web applications with LilyPond's engraving
250 power. There already exist several online tools using LilyPond.
252 @c (TBD: Add a link to the new @ref{Applications} page.
257 @divClass{column-center-top}
259 @subheading Environment
261 @imageFloat{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,right}
265 @subsubheading Excellent support
267 LilyPond runs on all popular platforms: GNU/Linux, MacOS X, and
268 Windows. LilyPond comes with extensive documentation and hundreds
269 of example files. There is an active user community answering
270 questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, offering you friendly
271 help. The response time is usually very short, and often brillant
272 solutions to reported problems are developed. Thanks to the close
273 interaction with the development team such solutions are regularly
274 included in LilyPond itself.
275 Read more in @ref{Community}.
278 @subsubheading Free software
280 LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge! Yep - It's free. Get
281 it from the download page.
283 It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software. It comes with source
284 code, and permission to change and copy it. So, are you irritated
285 by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or
286 pay someone else to do it.
287 Read more on @ref{Freedom}.
290 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
291 @subheading Where now?
293 Still not convinced? Look at some specific @ref{Examples}. If you've
294 already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
301 @unnumberedsec Examples
303 @divClass{column-center-top}
305 @subheading Beautiful examples
307 LilyPond is a powerful and flexible tool for engraving tasks of
308 all kinds. Please browse our gallery of examples and be inspired!
312 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
313 @subheading Classical Music
315 This organ work by J.S. Bach is a fairly typical engraving project
318 @exampleImage{bach-bwv610}
321 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
322 @subheading Complex Notation
324 This example from @emph{Goyescas} by Enrique Granados shows some
325 of the more advanced features of typesetting, including kneed
326 beams, cross-staff stems, and voice-follow lines.
328 @exampleImage{granados}
331 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
332 @subheading Early Music
334 LilyPond also supports various types of ancient notation, such
335 as this passage of Gregorian chant.
337 @exampleImage{ancient-headword}
340 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
341 @subheading Modern Music
343 Contemporary composers find LilyPond well-suited to displaying
344 unusual notation. Here is an excerpt from Trevor Bača's
345 @emph{Čáry}, for unaccompanied bass flute.
351 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
352 @subheading Efficient, flexible creation of performance materials
354 Various performance materials can be created from the same source
355 code. This is an excerpt of @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/,
356 Nicolas Sceaux's} engraving of Handel's @emph{Giulio Cesare}, in
357 full score, piano-vocal reduction, and a violin part.
359 @exampleImage{sesto-full}
361 @exampleImage{sesto-piano}
363 @exampleImage{sesto-violin}
367 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
368 @subheading Tablature
370 LilyPond supports tablature notation, which can be customized to
371 suit any instrument that reads from tablature. The tablature
372 staff is generated automatically from notes entered for the 5-line
375 @exampleImage{tab-example}
378 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
379 @subheading Schenker Graphs
381 Standard output can be modified heavily. Here is an impressive
382 Schenkerian analysis, created by Kris Schaffer, for an article
383 in @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364 , Linux Journal}.
384 The colors have been added for better visibility.
386 @exampleImage{bach-schenker}
389 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
390 @subheading Customized Output
392 A short excerpt from Stockhausen's Klavierstück II to demonstrate
393 Lilypond's ability to provide customised output.
395 @exampleImage{Stockhausen_Klavierstueck2}
398 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
399 @subheading Vocal Music
401 LilyPond is excellent for vocal music of all kinds, from sacred
402 hymns to opera. Here is a medieval motet with slightly unusual
403 requirements. The tenor voice is written in a different meter
404 than the others, but must line up as if it were in the same meter.
405 LilyPond handles this most elegantly. Note also the incipits with
406 Vaticana style clefs, the slashed stems indicating plicated notes,
407 and the ligature braces above certain groups of notes.
409 @exampleImage{aucun-snippet}
412 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
413 @subheading Educational Applications
415 LilyPond is perfectly suited for educational purposes as well.
416 Here is an example of a simple counterpoint exercise.
418 @exampleImage{theory}
421 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
422 @subheading Popular Music
424 It is simple to create pop lead sheets with melody, lyrics,
425 chord names, and fretboards. In this example you see some of the
426 predefined fretboard diagrams, but these can be heavily customized
427 to suit nearly any situation.
432 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
433 @subheading Large Projects
435 LilyPond is excellent for large projects like operas or works for
436 full symphony orchestra, as well. In addition, the text-based
437 input provides greater accessibility -- this example was
438 contributed by Hu Haipeng, a blind composer.
440 @exampleImage{orchestra}
443 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
444 @subheading Where now?
446 Still not convinced? LilyPond is Free software, granting you
447 @ref{Freedom}. If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first
448 read about our @ref{Text input}.
453 @unnumberedsec Freedom
455 @divClass{column-center-top}
456 @subheading Free Software
458 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/, GNU} LilyPond is written and maintained
459 by a community of enthusiasts. It is published under the
460 @ref{GPL, GNU General Public License} and the @ref{FDL, GNU Free
461 Documentation License}, giving everybody the freedom to fix,
462 modify, and extend the program. Creating beautiful music should
463 not require hundreds of dollars of software!
467 @c @divClass{column-left-top}
468 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
469 @divClass{keep-bullets}
470 @subheading What are the benefits to users?
475 No cost: download and try it out! What do you have to lose?
478 Sharing: if you like the program, give a copy to your friends,
479 teachers, students, and colleagues!
482 Source available: if you are curious about how LilyPond creates
483 some notation, you can see exactly how it is done.
486 Extendible: you can add features, fix bugs, and change the
487 functionality. If you are not a programmer, you can hire somebody
490 This may not seem appealing to casual musicians, but the ability
491 to extend software can be highly valuable to serious composers,
492 companies, and academics.
495 Future safety: if a commercial company goes bankrupt, what happens
496 to any electronic music which depends on their products? This is
497 not a concern with LilyPond; even if the entire development team
498 quits (extremely unlikely), the program will still be legally
499 available for copying, modifications, and distribution.
508 @c @divClass{column-right-top}
509 @divClass{column-center-middle-color3}
510 @divClass{keep-bullets}
511 @subheading Why do LilyPond developers @qq{give away} their work for free?
513 Most of us view LilyPond development as a hobby or volunteer work.
514 So this question is really asking @qq{why do people volunteer}?
519 Fun: working towards a goal can be enjoyable, especially when you
523 Shared goals: we all want beautiful sheet music, but few people
524 have the expertise (and nobody has the time!), to create a program
525 which can handle all situations. By working together -- one
526 person improves the automatic beaming code, another person
527 improves the shape of slurs, and a third person writes
528 documentation explaining how to use these features -- we can
529 achieve our goal with only a fraction of the individual effort.
532 @qq{Gift culture}: the Free Software
533 movement has created many great software projects, such as
534 @uref{http://kernel.org/, GNU/Linux},
535 @uref{http://www.getfirefox.com/, Mozilla Firefox}, and
536 @uref{http://www.wesnoth.org/, Battle for Wesnoth}. Having
537 benefitted from these projects, some developers want to @qq{give
538 back} to the community.
541 Work experience: contributing to free software projects is a great way to
542 practice programming, documentation writing, documentation translation,
543 or design. This experience has helped some developers gain job offers
553 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
554 @subheading Where now?
556 Still not convinced? Read our extensive essay about our engraving
557 philosophy in @ref{Background}. If you've already decided to try
558 LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
563 @unnumberedsec Background
565 @divClass{column-center-top}
566 @subheading Background essay
568 We have an extensive essay describing computational aesthetics:
569 the art of creating beauty with a computer.
571 This is interesting reading if you are interested in an in-depth
572 discussion of our fundamental ideas. Due to its volume the
573 essay is available as a "manual". If you would like to read
574 it now, please progress to @ref{Essay}. However, if you just
575 want a quick introduction to LilyPond, you might skip it for now.
578 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
579 @subheading Where now?
581 Still not convinced? Read about some of our users'
582 @ref{Productions} and sheet music. If you've already decided to
583 try LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
588 @unnumberedsec Productions
590 @divClass{column-center-top}
592 @subheading Productions using LilyPond
594 Here you can read about people who actually use LilyPond
595 in their productions, be it for performances of their
596 music or as published scores.
600 @divClass{column-left-top}
603 LilyPond engravings have been used for performances around the world.
606 @divClass{keep-bullets}
610 @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} has re-orchestrated
611 @emph{Der Ring des Nibelungen} by Richard Wagner to a
612 @uref{http://www.rsb-online.de/content/konzerte/wagnerzyklus-10-13/wagner-fuer-kinder/index_ger.html,100-minute version for children}.
613 It has been written for a standard symphony orchestra but with a reduced
614 cast of singers, and will be performed by the
615 @emph{Radio-Sinfonieorchester Berlin} on the 5th and 6th April 2014 in
616 the Atze Musiktheater, Berlin. The Conductor is Heiko Matthias Förster.
619 Joe Smeets created sheet music for the children's book @emph{Zing Mee}
620 (@emph{Sing along}) by Annie M.G. published by Querido -- ISBN
622 @uref{http://www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl/web/Boek.htm?dbid=18954&typeofpage=134707, www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl}; choir
623 rehearsal scores for the Dutch translation of Benjamin Britten's
624 @emph{Saint Nicolas} performed by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep} in
626 @uref{http://www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl/nl/voorstellingen/sint_nicolaas_leeft, www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl}; and is currently
627 working on the score and parts for an arrangement of Moussurgsky's
628 @emph{Boris Godounov} for wind quartet, piano and percussion. To be
629 performed in 2014, again by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep}.
632 A critical edition of Tommaso Traetta's @emph{Enea nel Lazio (1760)},
633 opera series with libretto by Vittorio Amedeo Cigna-Santi, in four
635 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1987651/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_1_4_, Part One}
636 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994533/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_2_4_, Part Two}
637 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994558/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_3_4_, Part Three}
638 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1996242/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_4_4_, Part Four}
640 @uref{http://unito.academia.edu/LucaRossettoCasel, Luca Rossetto Casel}
641 for his Ph.D. Thesis.
644 Mussorgsky's @emph{Pictures at an exhibition}, re-orchestrated and
645 conducted by @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} with
646 the @uref{http://www.junge-philharmonie-brandenburg.de/,
647 Junge Philharmonie Brandenburg}
648 on Oct 10 2011 and again on Apr 15-16 2012.
651 @uref{http://www.kierenmacmillan.info/, Kieren MacMillan}, composer and
652 musical director. His many, recent works include; @emph{Go Thy Way},
653 performed by the @uref{http://www.saltlakechoralartists.org/,
654 Salt Lake Choral Artists} in March 2012; The
655 @emph{Just Out of Reach Suite} performed
657 @uref{http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall/x1883873762/Music-duo-Chrysalis-to-perform-at-Marshall-University-on-Jan-19,
658 Chrysalis Duo} ; @emph{thrafsmata} performed in July 2011 by the
659 @uref{http://www.pnme.org/CurrentSeason/PreviousSeasons.html, Pittsburgh
663 @emph{Anonymous Student Compliment or Complaint}, by
664 @uref{http://www.mikesolomon.org, Mike Solomon}, winner chosen from among
665 172 entries from 22 countries of the
666 @uref{http://leftcoastensemble.org, 2011 Left Coast Composition Contest}.
667 Other works include, Norman (age 1) for clarinet solo, performed at the
668 @uref{http://emu.music.ufl.edu/fems_concerts.html, University of Florida}'s
669 Electroacoustic Music Festival (FEMF), October 2010.
672 A modern edition of the @emph{Serenata Erminia} by Alessandro Scarlatti,
673 edited by Thomas Griffin, Musicologist (Rome, Italy). Performed on 22
674 October 2010 in the Galleria of the Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano, Naples,
675 Italy. @uref{http://www.ascarlatti2010.net, Alessandro Scarlatti 2010},
676 in celebration of the composer's 350th birthday.
679 @uref{http://www.mercurybaroque.org, Mercury Baroque}'s performance of
680 Lully's @emph{Armide}, May 15-16, 2009, in Houston, Texas (engraving by
681 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
684 Instrumental excerpts from Rameau's @emph{Hippolyte et Aricie} at
685 St. James's Church in Manhattan, May 8, 2009, by Frederick Renz
686 and his ensemble @uref{http://www.earlymusicny.org/, Early Music
687 New York} (engraving by
688 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
691 @emph{Affaire étrangère}, an opera by
692 @uref{http://valentin.villenave.net/,Valentin Villenave}
693 to a French libretto by
694 @uref{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Trondheim, Lewis
695 Trondheim}, premiered February 1, 2009 at
696 @uref{http://www.orchestre-montpellier.com/, L'Opéra National de
697 Montpellier}, France.
705 @divClass{column-right-top}
706 @subheading Published sheet music
708 @divClass{keep-bullets}
712 @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/index.html, Mutopia Project},
713 over 1500 pieces of classical sheet music for free download, and
714 the main showcase of LilyPond scores.
716 @c don't make this "Mutopia" a link, since that looks silly.
718 @uref{http://etudeapp.com, Etude}, @qq{sheet music on steroids} is
719 an iPhone app which displays piano music engraved with LilyPond,
720 including many pieces from Mutopia. The app includes a virtual
721 piano keyboard showing which keys to press to help beginners learn
722 how to read sheet music.
725 @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing},
726 high-quality scores of sacred music, available for immediate
727 download or in traditional paper format.
730 @uref{http://www.shadylane.fr, The Shady Lane Publishing},
731 a @qq{micro musical publishing house} whose goal is to promote a
732 new form of musical economy closer to the musicians and music
741 @contactUsAbout{concerts or sheet music}
743 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
744 @subheading Where now?
746 Still not convinced? Read some of our users' @ref{Reviews}.
747 If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
751 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
752 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/testimonials
755 @unnumberedsec Reviews
757 @divClass{column-center-top}
758 @subheading What do people say about LilyPond?
763 @divClass{column-left-top}
764 @subheading Published articles
766 @divClass{keep-bullets}
772 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com,Linux Magazine} publishes an
774 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com/w3/issue/126/088-090_projects.pdf,
775 Projects on the Move}. It is an introductory article on MuseScore,
776 LilyPond and Chordii. Author Carla Schroder states @qq{LilyPond is
777 driven from the command line, but don’t let the lack of a GUI scare
778 you away; LilyPond is user-friendly and easy to learn}, and provides
784 Peter Kirn, on the Create Digital Music website, publishes a
785 @uref{http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/05/14/lilypond-free-beautiful-music-notation-engraving-for-anyone/,LilyPond
786 review}. He takes a balanced view on usage, praises LilyPond's
787 high-quality notation and suggests to try it out.
792 The German LinuxUser magazine wrote an
793 @uref{http://www.linux-community.de/Internal/Artikel/Print-Artikel/LinuxUser/2009/10/Digitaler-Notenschluessel,
794 article about LilyPond}.
800 @uref{http://www.polyphonic.org/article.php?id=188, Polyphonic.org}
801 website, presents comments by two orchestra librarians who
802 talk about using software to maintain their libraries.
807 In an @uref{http://news.lilynet.net/Free-Music-Now, article}
808 published in the French @emph{National Conservatory Parent
809 Association}'s yearly magazine, French composer and LilyPond
810 contributor Valentin Villenave explains how Free licenses, and
811 specifically LilyPond-engraved scores, are instrumental in
812 making written music accessible to all.
817 In @uref{http://www.musicbyandrew.ca/finale-lilypond-1.html,
818 articles on his personal site}, Andrew Hawryluk compares Finale
819 and LilyPond in general terms, and evaluates engraving
820 capabilities of both pieces of software in detail. The second
821 article is an instructive analysis of engraving issues in
822 Rachmaninoff's Piano Prelude No. 6, including comparisons with a
823 hand-engraved reference edition.
828 @uref{http://distrowatch.com,DistroWatch} awards LilyPond and
829 @uref{http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20060605,writes}
830 @qq{Ladies and Gentleman, we are pleased to announce that, based
831 on readers' requests, the DistroWatch May 2006 donation has been
832 awarded to LilyPond (@euro{}190.00) and Lua (US$250.00).}
837 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal} publishes an article
838 titled @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364, Make
839 Stunning Schenker Graphs with GNU LilyPond}. It is an in-depth
840 but hands-on feature article with crisp LilyPond graphics. Author
841 Kris Shaffer remarks @qq{GNU LilyPond generates beautiful graphics
842 that make commercial alternatives seem second-rate.}
847 The Belgian newspaper De Standaard investigates what drives Free
848 Software authors in an article titled
849 @uref{http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=G42H5GD6,
850 Delen van KENNIS zonder WINSTBEJAG} (Non-profit sharing of
851 knowlegde) in its @q{DS2 bijlage}. LilyPond is used as an example
852 and the article is interspersed with quotes from an email
853 interview with Jan Nieuwenhuizen. This marks LilyPond's first
854 appearance in mainstream printed press.
859 A French article on the LilyPond 2.6 release appeared on
860 @uref{http://linuxfr.org/2005/06/27/19210.html, linuxfr.org}.
865 The editors of Computer!Totaal, a Dutch computer magazine,
866 @uref{http://lilypond.org/website/pdf/computer-totaal.jpeg,
867 describe LilyPond} in the October 2004 issue as: @qq{Wonderful
868 free (open source) software [@dots{}] The sheet music produced by
869 LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [@dots{}] a very powerful system that
870 can do almost anything.}
875 Dave Phillips wrote an introductory article for
876 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal}: At
877 the sounding edge: LilyPond, parts
878 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7657, one} and
879 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7719, two}.
885 @uref{http://www.all-day-breakfast.com/cannam/linux-musician/lilypond.html,interviewed}
886 Han-Wen Nienhuys and Jan Nieuwenhuizen on linuxmusician.com
887 (original site defunct). This interview was also reviewed in a
888 @uref{http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/03/13/2054227&tid=,
894 Jazz singer Gail Selkirk writes about
895 @uref{http://www.songbirdofswing.com/editorial_page/lilypond/,
896 Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{@dots{} you can make lead sheets or full
897 orchestral parts, and the results can be stunning.}
898 @uref{http://www.computermusic.co.uk/, Computer Music Special},
907 @divClass{column-right-top}
908 @subheading User testimonials
910 @divClass{testimonial-item}
911 @imageFloat{carter-brey,jpg, right}
912 @subsubheading @uref{http://nyphil.org/meet/orchestra/index.cfm?page=profile&personNum=7, Carter Brey}, Principal Cellist, New York Philharmonic
914 @qq{@dots{} I've written a couple of encore pieces for solo cello
915 which I've printed with LilyPond and which I'm going to submit to
916 Schirmer for publication. I'll bet their engraved version wouldn't
917 look half as sharp as mine!}
921 @divClass{testimonial-item}
922 @imageFloat{orm-finnendahl,jpg, left}
923 @subsubheading @uref{http://icem-www.folkwang-hochschule.de/~finnendahl/, Orm Finnendahl}, professor of Composition, Musikhochschule Freiburg
925 @qq{Although I don't know [LilyPond] very well yet, I'm
926 @strong{*very} impressed. I used the program to input a motet of
927 Josquin Desprez in mensural notation and there's no doubt that
928 lilypond outscores all other notation programs easily concerning
929 speed, ease of use and look!}
933 @divClass{testimonial-item}
934 @imageFloat{darius-blasband,jpg, right}
935 @subsubheading Darius Blasband, composer (Brussels, Belgium)
937 @qq{[..after the first orchestra rehearsal] I got numerous
938 compliments about the quality of the scores. Even more
939 importantly, while LilyPond provides numerous hacks to improve the
940 way its scores look, what the orchestra got from me is basically
941 the raw, untouched output.}
945 @divClass{testimonial-item}
946 @subsubheading Kieren MacMillan, composer (Toronto, Canada)
948 @qq{thanks and kudos to the development team for their incredible
949 work. I've never seen anything approaching the output that I get
950 from LilyPond -- I'm totally confident that my music publishing
951 needs will be fulfilled beyond my expectations using this great
952 application. [@dots{}] basically untweaked LilyPond output
953 [@dots{}] looks better than most recent @q{professional}
954 publications I've compared it to (q.v., just about any Warner
955 Bros. score, and even many of the most recent by @q{the old
956 houses}). [@dots{}]} @qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!}
960 @divClass{testimonial-item}
961 @subsubheading Chris Cannam, lead programmer of the @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/, RoseGarden} project
963 @qq{LilyPond is obviously the zillion-ton gorilla [of great music
968 @divClass{testimonial-item}
969 @subsubheading Chris Snyder, @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing}
971 @qq{The way that music is entered for LilyPond causes me to think in a
972 more musical way -- there have been times when I've been stumped as
973 to how to tell Lily to engrave something, only to realize that
974 even if I did get it exactly as the composer wanted, the music
975 would be confusing to read. LilyPond makes it much easier for me
976 to work in my dual editor+engraver role.}
978 @qq{I've been using LilyPond exclusively for my fledgling music
979 publishing business. Virtually without exception, every composer
980 has been blown away by the quality of the engraving when presented
981 with the proofs of their music about to be published. I deserve
982 some of the credit for this -- I spend a lot of time tweaking
983 output, especially ties (mainly in chords) -- but LilyPond gives
984 me an excellent starting point, a very intuitive interface, and
985 the ability to modify absolutely anything if I want to take the
986 time. I'm convinced that no commercial product can come close.}
990 @divClass{testimonial-item}
991 @subsubheading David Bobroff, Bass Trombone, Iceland Symphony Orchestra
993 @qq{I think LilyPond is great [@dots{}] The more I learn about LilyPond
998 @divClass{testimonial-item}
999 @subsubheading Vaylor Trucks, Electric guitar player (Yes, @uref{http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=userpage&file=content&page_id=12, related to})
1001 @qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [@dots{}]}
1003 @qq{THIS IS THE BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!}
1005 @qq{Thank you all SO MUCH for your hard work and dedication!}
1009 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1010 @subsubheading @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}, @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/, Mutopia} contributor
1012 @qq{I had a kind of hate-passion relationship with it. Passion
1013 because the first score I saw was so amazing! The description of
1014 LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [@dots{}] as
1015 LilyPond is getting always better, and as I look closer how things
1016 are done in scheme, I have less and less frustrations. Anyway,
1017 what I mean is: thank you for providing LilyPond, it is really
1022 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1023 @subsubheading @uref{http://www.troff.org/whoswho.html#werner, Werner Lemberg}, Conductor at the Theatre in Koblenz, Germany and distinguished GNU Hacker
1025 @qq{Anyway, LilyPond does an amazingly good job!}
1029 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1030 @subsubheading Paul Davis, developer of @uref{http://jackaudio.org/, JACK} and @uref{http://www.ardour.org/, Ardour}
1032 @qq{I think [LilyPond is] an incredible program, and it produces
1033 wonderful, wonderful output. when i read an interview about it
1034 last year, i was raving to several friends of mine about its
1039 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1040 @subsubheading @uref{http://webusers.siba.fi/~mkuuskan/, Dr. Mika Kuuskankare}, researcher at the @uref{http://siba.fi, Sibelius Academy Finland}, composer and author of Expressive Notation Package (ENP)
1042 @qq{I have the deepest respect towards LilyPond and towards its creators
1043 and maintainers as I know from personal experience how difficult this
1044 kind of software can be.}
1048 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1049 @subsubheading @uref{http://camerondh.blogspot.com, David Cameron}, Musician, professional typesetter and long time SCORE user
1051 @qq{My heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to this project. I
1052 was a power SCORE user for big typesetting houses way back in the '90s,
1053 but I feel LilyPond finally makes it possible for me to get exactly what
1054 I want on the page, especially when it isn't "standard" practice.}
1059 @contactUsAbout{news articles or testimonals}
1061 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1062 @subheading Where now?
1064 Read about our @ref{Text input}.
1070 @unnumberedsec Text input
1072 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
1073 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/howto
1075 @divClass{column-center-top}
1076 @subheading @qq{Compiling} Music
1078 @imageClickable{nereid-shot-small,png, (click to enlarge), nereid-shot,png, right}
1080 LilyPond is a @emph{compiled} system: it is run on a text file
1081 describing the music. The resulting output is viewed on-screen or
1082 printed. In some ways, LilyPond is more similar to a programming
1083 language than graphical score editing software.
1085 You do not write music by dragging notes from a graphical toolbar
1086 and placing them on a dynamically refreshing score; you write
1087 music by typing text. This text is interpreted (or @qq{compiled})
1088 by LilyPond, which produces beautifully engraved sheet music.
1090 People accustomed to graphical user interfaces might need to learn
1091 a new way of working, but the results are definitely worth it!
1093 @warning{We present a quick overview of our text input -- it's not
1094 as complicated as it sounds! Don't worry about understanding
1095 every detail in these examples; our beginner documentation covers
1096 everything at a much more gradual pace.}
1099 @subsubheading It's as simple as A B C
1101 Notes are encoded with letters and numbers. Special commands are
1102 entered with backslashes.
1104 @imageFloat{text-input-1-annotate,png,center}
1105 @imageFloat{text-input-1-output,png,center}
1107 Alterations are made with different names: add @w{@code{-is}} for
1108 sharp, and @w{@code{-es}} for flat (these are Dutch note names, other
1109 languages are available). LilyPond figures out where to put
1112 @imageFloat{text-input-2-annotate,png,center}
1113 @imageFloat{text-input-2-output,png,center}
1116 @subsubheading Pop music
1118 Put chords and lyrics together to get a lead sheet:
1120 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-annotate,png,center}
1121 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-output,png,center}
1125 @subsubheading Orchestral parts
1127 The input file contains the notes of piece of music. Score and
1128 parts can be made from a single input file, so that changing a
1129 note always affects the score and parts. To be able to include
1130 the same music in multiple places, the music is assigned to a
1131 @qq{variable} (a name).
1133 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-both-annotate,png,center}
1136 This variable is then used in a single part (here transposed, with
1137 condensed rests spanning several measures):
1139 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-annotate,png,center}
1140 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-output,png,center}
1143 The same variable is used in the full score (here in concert
1146 @imageFloat{text-input-score-annotate,png,center}
1147 @imageFloat{text-input-score-output,png,center}
1150 @subsubheading Beginner Documentation
1152 We realize that many users find this way of entering music a bit
1153 odd. For this reason, we have written extensive documentation to
1154 help new users, beginning with @ref{Learning}. The Learning
1155 Manual is the best place to start, as many questions are answered
1156 before they come up!
1158 Occasionally new users are unnecessarily confused by some aspects
1159 of LilyPond's behaviour. Please read this manual before doubting
1160 whether LilyPond is working correctly.
1162 More in-depth information is available in @ref{Manuals}.
1164 Ben Lemon, a LilyPond user, has created a range of
1165 @uref{http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond/,video tutorials}
1166 on his blog and which are aimed at new users.
1169 @subsubheading Easier editing environments
1171 @imageClickable{lilykde-screenshot-small,png,
1172 (click to enlarge),lilykde-screenshot,png,right}
1174 LilyPond is primarily concerned with producing top-quality
1175 engraved sheet music; creating a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
1176 would distract us from this goal. However, there are other
1177 projects aimed at making it easier to create LilyPond input files.
1179 Some editing environments include syntax highlighting, automatic
1180 command completion, and pre-made templates. Other programs
1181 actually provide a GUI which allows direct manipulation of a
1182 graphical score. For more information, see @ref{Easier editing}.
1186 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1187 @subheading Where now?
1189 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}. Still not
1190 convinced? Read about @ref{Easier editing}.
1195 @node Easier editing
1196 @unnumberedsec Easier editing
1199 GNU policy forbids us from linking to non-Free software, so don't
1202 In particular, don't link to:
1203 - the LilyPond bundle for TextMate (a commercial editor for MacOS).
1207 @divClass{column-center-top}
1208 @subheading Front-end Applications
1209 @subsubheading Frescobaldi
1211 @imageClickable{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,
1212 (click to enlarge),frescobaldi-lilypond-editor,png,right}
1214 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1215 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1216 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1218 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org}
1220 Frescobaldi is a lightweight, yet powerful, music and text editor
1221 with many features added and enhanced particularly for LilyPond. Major
1222 features include point-and-click links between the code and music views,
1223 detailed score wizards, built in LilyPond documentation browser, syntax
1224 highlighting and automatic completion. Frescobaldi is written in
1225 Python, with PyQt4 for its user interface, and will run on all major
1226 operating systems (GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows).
1228 @subsubheading Denemo
1230 @imageClickable{screenshot-denemo-small,png,
1231 (click to enlarge),screenshot-denemo,png,right}
1233 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1234 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1235 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1237 @uref{http://denemo.org}
1239 Denemo is a graphical editor which generates LilyPond source code,
1240 and also allows audio playback. It allows users to view the
1241 LilyPond source code in parallel to the graphical view. Extra
1242 LilyPond tweaks can be attached to notes, chords etc. and are stored
1243 with the Denemo file, so that users can continue to edit graphically.
1245 Moving the cursor in the LilyPond text moves the cursor in the graphical
1246 view, and any syntax errors in your LilyPond tweaks are highlighted in
1247 the text view when printed from there.
1251 @divClass{column-center-top}
1252 @subheading Browser-based editors
1254 @subsubheading LilyBin
1255 @uref{http://lilybin.com}
1257 A web-based LilyPond editor where you can typeset your scores directly
1258 online without needing to install LilyPond.
1260 @subsubheading Tunefl
1261 @uref{http://www.tunefl.com}
1263 With tunefl, you can typeset your mini-scores directly online without
1264 needing to install LilyPond locally. It allows trying out all the
1265 program's features using a convenient web interface.
1269 @divClass{column-center-top}
1270 @subheading IDE Plug-ins
1272 @subsubheading Elysium
1274 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1275 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1276 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1277 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1279 @uref{http://elysium.thsoft.hu}
1281 Elysium is a LilyPond IDE for Eclipse with an integrated, side-by-side
1282 view for source and score. It includes rapid visual & auditive feedback
1283 without having to switch contexts, and comes with many wizard-driven
1288 @divClass{column-center-top}
1289 @subheading Text editors
1291 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1292 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1293 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1294 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1296 @subsubheading Emacs
1297 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/}
1298 Emacs is a text editor with language-sensitive capabilities for many
1299 different computer languages. Emacs is a highly extensible editor and
1300 can be used as an Integrated Development Environment. There is a
1301 @q{lilypond mode} which supplies the language definitions for working
1302 with LilyPond source files. A developer has written
1303 @uref{https://github.com/nsceaux/lyqi,lyqi}, an Emacs major mode.
1305 If you are not already familiar with Emacs then you may probably prefer
1306 to use a different editor for writing LilyPond input files.
1308 More information on setting up Emacs can be found in
1309 @rprogram{Text editor support}.
1312 @uref{http://www.vim.org}
1313 Vim is a minimal text editor and is an extension of the older Unix
1314 @command{vi} editor. It is also extensible and configurable.
1316 If you are not already familiar with Vi then you may probably prefer
1317 to use a different editor for writing LilyPond input files.
1319 More information on setting up Vim can be found in
1320 @rprogram{Text editor support}.
1322 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1323 @subsubheading TeXShop
1324 @uref{http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop}
1326 The TeXShop editor for MacOS@tie{}X can be extended to run LilyPond,
1327 @command{lilypond-book} and @command{convert-ly} from within the editor,
1328 using the extensions available at:
1331 @uref{http://users.dimi.uniud.it/~nicola.vitacolonna/home/content/lilypond-scripts}
1336 @divClass{column-center-top}
1337 @subheading Other programs that can export LilyPond code
1339 @subsubheading Score, tab and MIDI editors:
1344 @uref{http://www.jezra.net/projects/bwwtolily,bwwtolily} attempts to
1345 convert a @code{.bww} or @code{.bmw} file to LilyPond. While not all of
1346 the embellishments may get converted properly (this is especially true
1347 with piobaireachd), the program will list them.
1350 @uref{http://www.canorus.org,Canorus}, a score editor, can also export
1351 to LilyPond, but is still beta-software. Testers are welcome, though.
1354 @uref{http://enc2ly.sourceforge.net/en/,Enc2ly} is a GNU/Linux program
1355 which converts an Encore music score into a LilyPond one.
1358 @uref{https://github.com/hanwen/go-enc2ly,go-enc2ly} is a Go tool that
1359 converts Encore files to LilyPond. It was created using Felipe Castro's
1360 research and reverse engineering by tweaking existing .enc files and
1361 loading them using the 4.55 demo version.
1364 @uref{http://www.musescore.org,MuseScore}, a score editor, has
1365 incomplete LilyPond export but is being actively developed.
1368 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd},
1369 a score editor based on the @uref{http://www.cairographics.org,Cairo}
1370 library, it has experimental support for exporting to LilyPond.
1373 @uref{http://www.holmessoft.co.uk/homepage/software/NWC2LY/index.htm,NW2LY}
1374 is a C# program which converts a NoteWorthy composer song into LilyPond.
1377 @uref{https://github.com/ciconia/ripple/blob/master/README.markdown,Ripple}
1378 is a program that helps create scores and parts, including a mode for
1379 mixing different musical works together in a single score or part.
1382 @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com,Rosegarden}, an audio and MIDI
1383 sequencer, which also has a score editor for single-staff editing.
1387 @subsubheading Algorithmic code generators
1392 @uref{http://www.projectabjad.org/,Abjad}, a
1393 @uref{http://www.python.org/,Python} API for Formalized Score Control
1394 designed to help composers build up complex pieces of LilyPond notation
1395 in an iterative and incremental way.
1398 @uref{http://common-lisp.net/project/fomus/,FOMUS}, (FOrmat MUSic) is a
1399 music notation tool for computer music composers. It is written in the
1400 Lisp programming language, and has been tested in a variety of
1401 interpreters. A C++ port is also available.
1404 @uref{http://strasheela.sourceforge.net/strasheela/doc/index.html,Strasheela},
1405 an environment built on top of the
1406 @uref{http://www.mozart-oz.org/, Mozart/Oz} constraint programming
1412 @divClass{column-center-top}
1414 @subheading Other programs no longer being actively developed
1419 @uref{https://sourceforge.net/projects/lily4jedit,LilyPondTool} was
1420 created as a plugin for the @uref{http://www.jedit.org,jEdit} text
1424 @uref{http://lilykde.googlecode.com/,LilyKDE} has been replaced by
1425 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as LilyKDE3
1426 for KDE 3.5 and lilypond-KDE4 for KDE 4.1 only.
1429 @uref{http://noteedit.berlios.de,NoteEdit}, which imported
1430 @uref{http://www.makemusic.com/musicxml,MusicXML}, has been forked into
1431 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}
1432 and @uref{http://canorus.org,Canorus}.
1435 @uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical note
1436 entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces LilyPond
1440 @uref{https://launchpad.net/rumor/,Rumor}, a realtime monophonic
1441 MIDI-to-LilyPond converter.
1444 @uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/tuxguitar/,TuxGuitar}, a
1445 multitrack tablature editor and player, includes a score viewer and can
1453 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1454 @subheading Where now?
1456 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}.
1458 Still not convinced? Many composers, musicians, and conductors
1459 have learned how to write music in our input format. Experienced
1460 users even report that they can enter a full score in LilyPond
1461 faster than with a piano keyboard or mouse+GUI! Perhaps you would
1462 like to review the @ref{Features}, @ref{Examples}, or the
1463 @ref{Freedom} that LilyPond provides, or read about users'
1464 @ref{Productions} and @ref{Reviews}. In addition, our
1465 approach to the computational aesthetics of classical engraving is
1466 explained in our @ref{Background}.
1471 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1472 @subheading Legalese
1475 All logos and product images are copyright and trademark