[lilypond.git] / Documentation / web / introduction.itexi

@c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
@ignore
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    When revising a translation, copy the HEAD committish of the
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@node Introduction
@unnumbered Introduction

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Our Goal

@imageFloat{flat-design,png,right}

LilyPond came about when two musicians wanted to go beyond the
soulless look of computer-printed sheet music.  Musicians prefer
reading beautiful music, so why couldn't programmers write
software to produce elegant printed parts?

The result is a program that creates beautiful sheet music
following the best traditions of classical music engraving.
It takes care of the details of layout programmatically,
allowing composers, transcribers and publishers to focus
on the @emph{music} instead of improving their software's
default output.  Performers will get parts that let them
concentrate on @emph{playing} music instead of @emph{reading} it.


@divEnd

@divClass{link-headings}

@divClass{column-left-top}
@subheading What LilyPond does

@itemize

@item
@ref{Features}: What can LilyPond do?

@item
@ref{Examples}: I want to see some music!

@item
@ref{Freedom}: LilyPond is Free Software.

@item
@ref{Background}: Our computational aesthetics.

@end itemize
@divEnd

@divClass{column-right-top}
@subheading LilyPond in use
@itemize

@item
@ref{Productions}: Real-life use of LilyPond.

@item
@ref{Reviews}: What do people say?

@end itemize
@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading How LilyPond works
@itemize

@item
@ref{Text input}: You write music as @emph{text}?!

@item
@ref{Easier editing}: Other ways of working with LilyPond.

@end itemize
@divEnd

@divEnd

@c TRANSLATORS, translations are not yet compiled in Info format, so
@c it's not worth translating the right column of the following
@c menu. -JM
@divClass{hide}
@menu
* Features::                    What can LilyPond do?
* Examples::                    I want to see some music!
* Freedom::                     Freedom and the GPL.
* Background::                  Computational aesthetics.
* Productions::                 Real-life use of LilyPond.
* Reviews::                     What do people say about it?
* Text input::                  You write music as text?!
* Easier editing::              Other ways of working with LilyPond.
@end menu
@divEnd



@node Features
@unnumberedsec Features
@divClass{column-center-top}


@subheading Excellent classical engraving

@imageFloat{flat-design,png,right}

LilyPond allows musicians to produce elegant sheet music that is
easy to read.  Its developer community has spent thousands of hours
developing powerful music engraving software that results in beautifully
engraved music.  All of LilyPond's style settings, font designs and
algorithms have been inspired by the finest hand-engraved music.
LilyPond output has the same strong, balanced and elegant look as the
best-engraved classical scores.  This is further explained in our
@ref{Essay}.


@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Text input

@subsubheading Everything is explicit

LilyPond processes text input, which contains all information
about the @emph{content} of your score and can easily be read
by any human or another program. There are no obscure
settings hidden behind menu items and binary file storage.

Read more about this concept on @ref{Text input}.


@subsubheading Tweaks are robust and traceable

If you have to change anything in the layout this tweak will
also be explicitly visible in the input file in human-readable
form, so you will always be able to retrace what you've done.
If you should accidentally break anything you can easily revert
or modify any decision without being at the mercy of an
@emph{Undo} function.


@subsubheading Text files are failure- and future-proof

Text files are very robust against file corruption. And as they are
human-readable, you will always be able to interpret them even if
you don't have access to the programs that created them.


@subsubheading Manage your scores with version control

Text files are applicable to be managed by version control. Go
for it and experience infinite and selective undo/redo mechanisms
and the full development history of your scores. Version control
may also open up new (collaborative) workflows for you.

@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Usability

@imageFloat{lilypond-book,png,right}


@subsubheading Effective layout choices

Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the
formatting correct right from the start.  It determines spacing by
itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform
layout.  Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved
and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically!


@subsubheading Mix music and text

Put fragments of music into texts without cutting and pasting
pictures.  Integrate music into @LaTeX{} or HTML seamlessly, or add
music to OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice with OOoLilyPond.  Plugins are
also available to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and wikis, making
online collaboration possible.


@subsubheading Accessibility

Text-based input also makes score-writing possible for users with
severe physical disabilities.  Dexterity-impaired users who are
unable to type or control a computer mouse can use
speech-recognition software to edit LilyPond files.  Even users
who are totally blind can use screen-reading software to write
LilyPond files -- an impossible task in graphical-based
score-writing programs.
You can see a spectacular score on @ref{Examples}.

@subsubheading Editor diversity

Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users,
have written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing
LilyPond files faster and more effective; you are not tied to
a single user interface but can use different tools for different tasks.
You can even use a full-fledged LilyPond editor at home and use your
mobile phone's notepad app to edit the files on the go. For some examples,
see @ref{Easier editing}.
@c TODO: Change this when the new pages have been written and pushed


@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-top}

@subheading Extensible design

@subsubheading Easy management of style sheets

All layout settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical
taste. So you can easily write style sheets that change every aspect of
LilyPond scores' default appearance. As these are also written as text
and can be stored in separate files you can simply switch between two
stylesheets to produce scores with a completely different appearance or
layout.
You want to print a score on A4 paper and project it with a beamer,
one system per page? LilyPond's layout engine will effortlessly produce
both from the same input.

@subsubheading Add your own functions

If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in
scripting language Scheme, which can access LilyPond's layout
engine at the same level as LilyPond itself does, making it
a @emph{very} powerful tool.
Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the
comprehensive program reference manual.

@subsubheading Process scores programmatically

LilyPond input files can fully be edited or even generated by programs
and scripts. This can for example be used for algorithmical composition.
But you can also access the musical content for analysis, or manage
input fragments in a database. There are no limitations except your
imagination.


@subsubheading Create new tools using LilyPond

As LilyPond isn't a monolithic GUI program but a command line tool it
can be used from within other applications too. This way it is possible
to equip tools like e.g. web applications with LilyPond's engraving
power. There already exist several online tools using LilyPond.

@c (TBD: Add a link to the new @ref{Applications} page.


@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-top}

@subheading Environment

@imageFloat{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,right}



@subsubheading Excellent support

LilyPond runs on all popular platforms: GNU/Linux, MacOS X, and
Windows.  LilyPond comes with extensive documentation and hundreds
of example files.  There is an active user community answering
questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, offering you friendly
help. The response time is usually very short, and often brillant
solutions to reported problems are developed. Thanks to the close
interaction with the development team such solutions are regularly
included in LilyPond itself.
Read more in @ref{Community}.


@subsubheading Free software

LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge!  Yep - It's free.  Get
it from the download page.

It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software.  It comes with source
code, and permission to change and copy it.  So, are you irritated
by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or
pay someone else to do it.
Read more on @ref{Freedom}.

@divEnd
@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Where now?

Still not convinced?  Look at some specific @ref{Examples}.  If you've
already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
@ref{Text input}.
@divEnd



@node Examples
@unnumberedsec Examples

@divClass{column-center-top}

@subheading Beautiful examples

LilyPond is a powerful and flexible tool for engraving tasks of
all kinds.  Please browse our gallery of examples and be inspired!


@newsItem
@subsubheading Classical Music

This organ work by J.S. Bach is a fairly typical engraving project
in LilyPond.

@exampleImage{bach-bwv610}
@newsEnd

@newsItem
@subsubheading Complex Notation

This example from @emph{Goyescas} by Enrique Granados shows some
of the more advanced features of typesetting, including kneed
beams, cross-staff stems, and voice-follow lines.

@exampleImage{granados}
@newsEnd

@newsItem
@subsubheading Early Music

LilyPond also supports various types of ancient notation, such
as this passage of Gregorian chant.

@exampleImage{ancient-headword}
@newsEnd

@newsItem
@subsubheading Modern Music

Contemporary composers find LilyPond well-suited to displaying
unusual notation.  Here is an excerpt from Trevor Bača's
@emph{Čáry}, for unaccompanied bass flute.

@exampleImage{cary}
@newsEnd


@newsItem
@subsubheading Efficient, flexible creation of performance materials

Various performance materials can be created from the same source
code.  This is an excerpt of @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/,
Nicolas Sceaux's} engraving of Handel's @emph{Giulio Cesare}, in
full score, piano-vocal reduction, and a violin part.

@exampleImage{sesto-full}

@exampleImage{sesto-piano}

@exampleImage{sesto-violin}

@newsEnd

@newsItem
@subsubheading Tablature

LilyPond supports tablature notation, which can be customized to
suit any instrument that reads from tablature.  The tablature
staff is generated automatically from notes entered for the 5-line
staff.

@exampleImage{tab-example}
@newsEnd

@newsItem
@subsubheading Schenker Graphs

Standard output can be modified heavily.  Here is an impressive
Schenkerian analysis, created by Kris Schaffer, for an article
in @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364 , Linux Journal}.
The colors have been added for better visibility.

@exampleImage{bach-schenker}
@newsEnd

@newsItem
@subsubheading Vocal Music

LilyPond is excellent for vocal music of all kinds, from sacred
hymns to opera.  Here is a medieval motet with slightly unusual
requirements.  The tenor voice is written in a different meter
than the others, but must line up as if it were in the same meter.
LilyPond handles this most elegantly.  Note also the incipits with
Vaticana style clefs, the slashed stems indicating plicated notes,
and the ligature braces above certain groups of notes.

@exampleImage{aucun-snippet}
@newsEnd

@newsItem
@subsubheading Educational Applications

LilyPond is perfectly suited for educational purposes as well.
Here is an example of a simple counterpoint exercise.

@exampleImage{theory}
@newsEnd

@newsItem
@subsubheading Popular Music

It is simple to create pop lead sheets with melody, lyrics,
chord names, and fretboards.  In this example you see some of the
predefined fretboard diagrams, but these can be heavily customized
to suit nearly any situation.

@exampleImage{chart}
@newsEnd

@newsItem
@subsubheading Large Projects

LilyPond is excellent for large projects like operas or works for
full symphony orchestra, as well.  In addition, the text-based
input provides greater accessibility -- this example was
contributed by Hu Haipeng, a blind composer.

@exampleImage{orchestra}
@newsEnd

@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Where now?

Still not convinced?  LilyPond is Free software, granting you
@ref{Freedom}.  If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first
read about our @ref{Text input}.
@divEnd


@node Freedom
@unnumberedsec Freedom

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Free Software

@uref{http://www.gnu.org/, GNU} LilyPond is written and maintained
by a community of enthusiasts.  It is published under the
@ref{GPL, GNU General Public License} and the @ref{FDL, GNU Free
Documentation License}, giving everybody the freedom to fix,
modify, and extend the program.  Creating beautiful music should
not require hundreds of dollars of software!
@divEnd


@c @divClass{column-left-top}
@divClass{color2}
@divClass{keep-bullets}
@subheading What are the benefits to users?

@itemize

@item
No cost: download and try it out!  What do you have to lose?

@item
Sharing: if you like the program, give a copy to your friends,
teachers, students, and colleagues!

@item
Source available: if you are curious about how LilyPond creates
some notation, you can see exactly how it is done.

@item
Extendible: you can add features, fix bugs, and change the
functionality.  If you are not a programmer, you can hire somebody
to do those tasks.

This may not seem appealing to casual musicians, but the ability
to extend software can be highly valuable to serious composers,
companies, and academics.

@item
Future safety: if a commercial company goes bankrupt, what happens
to any electronic music which depends on their products?  This is
not a concern with LilyPond; even if the entire development team
quits (extremely unlikely), the program will still be legally
available for copying, modifications, and distribution.


@end itemize

@divEnd
@divEnd


@c @divClass{column-right-top}
@divClass{color3}
@divClass{keep-bullets}
@subheading Why do LilyPond developers @qq{give away} their work for free?

Most of us view LilyPond development as a hobby or volunteer work.
So this question is really asking @qq{why do people volunteer}?

@itemize

@item
Fun: working towards a goal can be enjoyable, especially when you
work as a team!

@item
Shared goals: we all want beautiful sheet music, but few people
have the expertise (and nobody has the time!), to create a program
which can handle all situations.  By working together -- one
person improves the automatic beaming code, another person
improves the shape of slurs, and a third person writes
documentation explaining how to use these features -- we can
achieve our goal with only a fraction of the individual effort.

@item
@qq{Gift culture}: the Free Software
movement has created many great software projects, such as
@uref{http://kernel.org/, GNU/Linux},
@uref{http://www.getfirefox.com/, Mozilla Firefox}, and
@uref{http://www.wesnoth.org/, Battle for Wesnoth}.  Having
benefitted from these projects, some developers want to @qq{give
back} to the community.

@item
Work experience: contributing to free software projects is a great way to
practice programming, documentation writing, documentation translation,
or design.  This experience has helped some developers gain job offers
or scholarships.


@end itemize

@divEnd
@divEnd


@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Where now?

Still not convinced?  Read our extensive essay about our engraving
philosophy in @ref{Background}.  If you've already decided to try
LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
@divEnd


@node Background
@unnumberedsec Background

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Background essay

We have an extensive essay describing computational aesthetics:
the art of creating beauty with a computer.

This is interesting reading if you are interested in an in-depth
discussion of our fundamental ideas.  Due to its volume the
essay is available as a "manual".  If you would like to read
it now, please progress to @ref{Essay}.  However, if you just
want a quick introduction to LilyPond, you might skip it for now.
@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Where now?

Still not convinced?  Read about some of our users'
@ref{Productions} and sheet music.  If you've already decided to
try LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
@divEnd


@node Productions
@unnumberedsec Productions

@divClass{column-center-top}

@subheading Productions using LilyPond

Here you can read about people who actually use LilyPond
in their productions, be it for performances of their
music or as published scores.

@divEnd

@divClass{column-left-top}
@subheading Concerts

LilyPond engravings have been used for performances around the world.
Some highlights:

@divClass{keep-bullets}
@itemize

@item
Joe Smeets created sheet music for the children's book @emph{Zing Mee}
(@emph{Sing along}) by Annie M.G. published by Querido -- ISBN
9789045106205:
@uref{http://www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl/web/Boek.htm?dbid=18954&typeofpage=134707, www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl}; choir
rehearsal scores for the Dutch translation of Benjamin Britten's
@emph{Saint Nicolas} performed by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep} in
2011.
@uref{http://www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl/nl/voorstellingen/sint_nicolaas_leeft, www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl}; and is currently
working on the score and parts for an arrangement of Moussurgsky's
@emph{Boris Godounov} for wind quartet, piano and percussion.  To be
performed in 2014, again by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep}.

@item
A critical edition of Tommaso Traetta's @emph{Enea nel Lazio (1760)},
opera series with libretto by Vittorio Amedeo Cigna-Santi, in four
parts:
@uref{http://www.academia.edu/1987651/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_1_4_, Part One}
@uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994533/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_2_4_, Part Two}
@uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994558/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_3_4_, Part Three}
@uref{http://www.academia.edu/1996242/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_4_4_, Part Four}
Created by
@uref{http://unito.academia.edu/LucaRossettoCasel, Luca Rossetto Casel}
for his Ph.D. Thesis.

@item
Mussorgsky's @emph{Pictures at an exhibition}, re-orchestrated and
conducted by @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} with
the @uref{http://www.junge-philharmonie-brandenburg.de/,
Junge Philharmonie Brandenburg}
on Oct 10 2011 and again on Apr 15-16 2012.

@item
@uref{http://www.kierenmacmillan.info/, Kieren MacMillan}, composer and
musical director.  His many, recent works include; @emph{Go Thy Way},
performed by the @uref{http://www.saltlakechoralartists.org/,
Salt Lake Choral Artists} in March 2012; The
@emph{Just Out of Reach Suite} performed
by the
@uref{http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall/x1883873762/Music-duo-Chrysalis-to-perform-at-Marshall-University-on-Jan-19,
Chrysalis Duo} ; @emph{thrafsmata} performed in July 2011 by the
@uref{http://www.pnme.org/CurrentSeason/PreviousSeasons.html, Pittsburgh
New Music Ensemble}.

@item
@emph{Anonymous Student Compliment or Complaint}, by
@uref{http://www.mikesolomon.org, Mike Solomon}, winner chosen from among
172 entries from 22 countries of the
@uref{http://leftcoastensemble.org, 2011 Left Coast Composition Contest}.
Other works include, Norman (age 1) for clarinet solo, performed at the
@uref{http://emu.music.ufl.edu/fems_concerts.html, University of Florida}'s
Electroacoustic Music Festival (FEMF), October 2010.

@item
A modern edition of the @emph{Serenata Erminia} by Alessandro Scarlatti,
edited by Thomas Griffin, Musicologist (Rome, Italy).  Performed on 22
October 2010 in the Galleria of the Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano, Naples,
Italy.  @uref{http://www.ascarlatti2010.net, Alessandro Scarlatti 2010},
in celebration of the composer's 350th birthday.

@item
@uref{http://www.mercurybaroque.org, Mercury Baroque}'s performance of
Lully's @emph{Armide}, May 15-16, 2009, in Houston, Texas (engraving by
@uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).

@item
Instrumental excerpts from Rameau's @emph{Hippolyte et Aricie} at
St. James's Church in Manhattan, May 8, 2009, by Frederick Renz
and his ensemble @uref{http://www.earlymusicny.org/, Early Music
New York} (engraving by
@uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).

@item
@emph{Affaire étrangère}, an opera by
@uref{http://valentin.villenave.net/,Valentin Villenave}
to a French libretto by
@uref{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Trondheim, Lewis
Trondheim}, premiered February 1, 2009 at
@uref{http://www.orchestre-montpellier.com/, L'Opéra National de
Montpellier}, France.

@end itemize
@divEnd

@divEnd


@divClass{column-right-top}
@subheading Published sheet music

@divClass{keep-bullets}
@itemize

@item
@uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/index.html, Mutopia Project},
over 1500 pieces of classical sheet music for free download, and
the main showcase of LilyPond scores.

@c don't make this "Mutopia" a link, since that looks silly.
@item
@uref{http://etudeapp.com, Etude}, @qq{sheet music on steroids} is
an iPhone app which displays piano music engraved with LilyPond,
including many pieces from Mutopia.  The app includes a virtual
piano keyboard showing which keys to press to help beginners learn
how to read sheet music.

@item
@uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing},
high-quality scores of sacred music, available for immediate
download or in traditional paper format.

@item
@uref{http://www.shadylane.fr, The Shady Lane Publishing},
a @qq{micro musical publishing house} whose goal is to promote a
new form of musical economy closer to the musicians and music
lovers.

@end itemize

@divEnd

@divEnd

@contactUsAbout{concerts or sheet music}

@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Where now?

Still not convinced?  Read some of our users' @ref{Reviews}.
If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
@ref{Text input}.
@divEnd

@c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
@c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/testimonials

@node Reviews
@unnumberedsec Reviews

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading What do people say about LilyPond?

@divEnd


@divClass{column-left-top}
@subheading Published articles

@divClass{keep-bullets}
@itemize

@item
April 2011

@uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com,Linux Magazine} publishes an
article titled
@uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com/w3/issue/126/088-090_projects.pdf,
Projects on the Move}.  It is an introductory article on MuseScore,
LilyPond and Chordii.  Author Carla Schroder states @qq{LilyPond is
driven from the command line, but don’t let the lack of a GUI scare
you away; LilyPond is user-friendly and easy to learn}, and provides
a hands-on example.

@item
May 2010

Peter Kirn, on the Create Digital Music website, publishes a
@uref{http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/05/14/lilypond-free-beautiful-music-notation-engraving-for-anyone/,LilyPond
review}.  He takes a balanced view on usage, praises LilyPond's
high-quality notation and suggests to try it out.

@item
September 2009

The German LinuxUser magazine wrote an
@uref{http://www.linux-community.de/Internal/Artikel/Print-Artikel/LinuxUser/2009/10/Digitaler-Notenschluessel,
article about LilyPond}.

@item
August 2009

Ann Drinan, on the
@uref{http://www.polyphonic.org/article.php?id=188, Polyphonic.org}
website, presents comments by two orchestra librarians who
talk about using software to maintain their libraries.

@item
June 2009

In an @uref{http://news.lilynet.net/Free-Music-Now, article}
published in the French @emph{National Conservatory Parent
Association}'s yearly magazine, French composer and LilyPond
contributor Valentin Villenave explains how Free licenses, and
specifically LilyPond-engraved scores, are instrumental in
making written music accessible to all.

@item
February 2008

In @uref{http://www.musicbyandrew.ca/finale-lilypond-1.html,
articles on his personal site}, Andrew Hawryluk compares Finale
and LilyPond in general terms, and evaluates engraving
capabilities of both pieces of software in detail.  The second
article is an instructive analysis of engraving issues in
Rachmaninoff's Piano Prelude No. 6, including comparisons with a
hand-engraved reference edition.

@item
June 2006

@uref{http://distrowatch.com,DistroWatch} awards LilyPond and
@uref{http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20060605,writes}
@qq{Ladies and Gentleman, we are pleased to announce that, based
on readers' requests, the DistroWatch May 2006 donation has been
awarded to LilyPond (@euro{}190.00) and Lua (US$250.00).}

@item
December 2005

@uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal} publishes an article
titled @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364, Make
Stunning Schenker Graphs with GNU LilyPond}.  It is an in-depth
but hands-on feature article with crisp LilyPond graphics.  Author
Kris Shaffer remarks @qq{GNU LilyPond generates beautiful graphics
that make commercial alternatives seem second-rate.}

@item
August 20, 2005

The Belgian newspaper De Standaard investigates what drives Free
Software authors in an article titled
@uref{http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=G42H5GD6,
Delen van KENNIS zonder WINSTBEJAG} (Non-profit sharing of
knowlegde) in its @q{DS2 bijlage}.  LilyPond is used as an example
and the article is interspersed with quotes from an email
interview with Jan Nieuwenhuizen.  This marks LilyPond's first
appearance in mainstream printed press.

@item
June 2005

A French article on the LilyPond 2.6 release appeared on
@uref{http://linuxfr.org/2005/06/27/19210.html, linuxfr.org}.

@item
October 2004

The editors of Computer!Totaal, a Dutch computer magazine,
@uref{http://lilypond.org/website/pdf/computer-totaal.jpeg,
describe LilyPond} in the October 2004 issue as: @qq{Wonderful
free (open source) software [@dots{}] The sheet music produced by
LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [@dots{}] a very powerful system that
can do almost anything.}

@item
July, August 2004

Dave Phillips wrote an introductory article for
@uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal}: At
the sounding edge: LilyPond, parts
@uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7657, one} and
@uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7719, two}.

@item
March 2004

Chris Cannam
@uref{http://www.all-day-breakfast.com/cannam/linux-musician/lilypond.html,interviewed}
Han-Wen Nienhuys and Jan Nieuwenhuizen on linuxmusician.com
(original site defunct).  This interview was also reviewed in a
@uref{http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/03/13/2054227&tid=,
slashdot story}.

@item
February 2004

Jazz singer Gail Selkirk writes about
@uref{http://www.songbirdofswing.com/editorial_page/lilypond/,
Diving into LilyPond}.  @qq{@dots{} you can make lead sheets or full
orchestral parts, and the results can be stunning.}
@uref{http://www.computermusic.co.uk/, Computer Music Special},
issue CMS06.

@end itemize

@divEnd
@divEnd


@divClass{column-right-top}
@subheading User testimonials

@divClass{testimonial-item}
@imageFloat{carter-brey,jpg, right}
@subsubheading @uref{http://nyphil.org/meet/orchestra/index.cfm?page=profile&personNum=7, Carter Brey}, Principal Cellist, New York Philharmonic

@qq{@dots{} I've written a couple of encore pieces for solo cello
which I've printed with LilyPond and which I'm going to submit to
Schirmer for publication.  I'll bet their engraved version wouldn't
look half as sharp as mine!}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@imageFloat{orm-finnendahl,jpg, left}
@subsubheading @uref{http://icem-www.folkwang-hochschule.de/~finnendahl/, Orm Finnendahl}, professor of Composition, Musikhochschule Freiburg

@qq{Although I don't know [LilyPond] very well yet, I'm
@strong{*very} impressed.  I used the program to input a motet of
Josquin Desprez in mensural notation and there's no doubt that
lilypond outscores all other notation programs easily concerning
speed, ease of use and look!}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@imageFloat{darius-blasband,jpg, right}
@subsubheading Darius Blasband, composer (Brussels, Belgium)

@qq{[..after the first orchestra rehearsal] I got numerous
compliments about the quality of the scores.  Even more
importantly, while LilyPond provides numerous hacks to improve the
way its scores look, what the orchestra got from me is basically
the raw, untouched output.}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@subsubheading Kieren MacMillan, composer (Toronto, Canada)

@qq{thanks and kudos to the development team for their incredible
work.  I've never seen anything approaching the output that I get
from LilyPond -- I'm totally confident that my music publishing
needs will be fulfilled beyond my expectations using this great
application.  [@dots{}] basically untweaked LilyPond output
[@dots{}] looks better than most recent @q{professional}
publications I've compared it to (q.v., just about any Warner
Bros. score, and even many of the most recent by @q{the old
houses}). [@dots{}]} @qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@subsubheading Chris Cannam, lead programmer of the @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/, RoseGarden} project

@qq{LilyPond is obviously the zillion-ton gorilla [of great music
typesetting].}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@subsubheading Chris Snyder, @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing}

@qq{The way that music is entered for LilyPond causes me to think in a
more musical way -- there have been times when I've been stumped as
to how to tell Lily to engrave something, only to realize that
even if I did get it exactly as the composer wanted, the music
would be confusing to read.  LilyPond makes it much easier for me
to work in my dual editor+engraver role.}

@qq{I've been using LilyPond exclusively for my fledgling music
publishing business.  Virtually without exception, every composer
has been blown away by the quality of the engraving when presented
with the proofs of their music about to be published.  I deserve
some of the credit for this -- I spend a lot of time tweaking
output, especially ties (mainly in chords) -- but LilyPond gives
me an excellent starting point, a very intuitive interface, and
the ability to modify absolutely anything if I want to take the
time.  I'm convinced that no commercial product can come close.}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@subsubheading David Bobroff, Bass Trombone, Iceland Symphony Orchestra

@qq{I think LilyPond is great [@dots{}] The more I learn about LilyPond
the more I like it!}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@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})

@qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [@dots{}]}

@qq{THIS IS THE BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!}

@qq{Thank you all SO MUCH for your hard work and dedication!}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@subsubheading @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}, @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/, Mutopia} contributor

@qq{I had a kind of hate-passion relationship with it.  Passion
because the first score I saw was so amazing! The description of
LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [@dots{}] as
LilyPond is getting always better, and as I look closer how things
are done in scheme, I have less and less frustrations.  Anyway,
what I mean is: thank you for providing LilyPond, it is really
good.}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@subsubheading @uref{http://www.troff.org/whoswho.html#werner, Werner Lemberg}, Conductor at the Theatre in Koblenz, Germany and distinguished GNU Hacker

@qq{Anyway, LilyPond does an amazingly good job!}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@subsubheading Paul Davis, developer of @uref{http://jackaudio.org/, JACK} and @uref{http://www.ardour.org/, Ardour}

@qq{I think [LilyPond is] an incredible program, and it produces
wonderful, wonderful output.  when i read an interview about it
last year, i was raving to several friends of mine about its
potential.}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@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)

@qq{I have the deepest respect towards LilyPond and towards its creators
and maintainers as I know from personal experience how difficult this
kind of software can be.}
@divEnd


@divClass{testimonial-item}
@subsubheading @uref{http://camerondh.blogspot.com, David Cameron}, Musician, professional typesetter and long time SCORE user

@qq{My heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to this project.  I
was a power SCORE user for big typesetting houses way back in the '90s,
but I feel LilyPond finally makes it possible for me to get exactly what
I want on the page, especially when it isn't "standard" practice.}
@divEnd

@divEnd

@contactUsAbout{news articles or testimonals}

@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Where now?

Read about our @ref{Text input}.
@divEnd



@node Text input
@unnumberedsec Text input

@c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
@c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/howto

@subheading @qq{Compiling} Music

@imageClickable{nereid-shot-small,png, (click to enlarge), nereid-shot,png, right}

LilyPond is a @emph{compiled} system: it is run on a text file
describing the music.  The resulting output is viewed on-screen or
printed.  In some ways, LilyPond is more similar to a programming
language than graphical score editing software.

You do not write music by dragging notes from a graphical toolbar
and placing them on a dynamically refreshing score; you write
music by typing text.  This text is interpreted (or @qq{compiled})
by LilyPond, which produces beautifully engraved sheet music.

People accustomed to graphical user interfaces might need to learn
a new way of working, but the results are definitely worth it!

@warning{We present a quick overview of our text input -- it's not
as complicated as it sounds!  Don't worry about understanding
every detail in these examples; our beginner documentation covers
everything at a much more gradual pace.}


@subsubheading It's as simple as A B C

Notes are encoded with letters and numbers.  Special commands are
entered with backslashes.

@imageFloat{text-input-1-annotate,png,center}
@imageFloat{text-input-1-output,png,center}

Alterations are made with different names: add @w{@code{-is}} for
sharp, and @w{@code{-es}} for flat (these are Dutch note names, other
languages are available).  LilyPond figures out where to put
accidentals.

@imageFloat{text-input-2-annotate,png,center}
@imageFloat{text-input-2-output,png,center}


@subsubheading Pop music

Put chords and lyrics together to get a lead sheet:

@imageFloat{text-input-pop-annotate,png,center}
@imageFloat{text-input-pop-output,png,center}



@subsubheading Orchestral parts

The input file contains the notes of piece of music.  Score and
parts can be made from a single input file, so that changing a
note always affects the score and parts.  To be able to include
the same music in multiple places, the music is assigned to a
@qq{variable} (a name).

@imageFloat{text-input-parts-both-annotate,png,center}


This variable is then used in a single part (here transposed, with
condensed rests spanning several measures):

@imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-annotate,png,center}
@imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-output,png,center}


The same variable is used in the full score (here in concert
pitch):

@imageFloat{text-input-score-annotate,png,center}
@imageFloat{text-input-score-output,png,center}


@subsubheading Beginner Documentation

We realize that many users find this way of entering music a bit
odd.  For this reason, we have written extensive documentation to
help new users, beginning with @ref{Learning}.  The Learning
Manual is the best place to start, as many questions are answered
before they come up!

Please read the Learning Manual before complaining about bugs!
New users occasionally believe that LilyPond is not working
correctly, when in fact it is working precisely as designed.

More in-depth information is available in @ref{Manuals}.

Ben Lemon, a LilyPond user, has created a range of
@uref{http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond/,video tutorials}
on his blog and which are aimed at new users.


@subsubheading Easier editing environments

@imageClickable{lilykde-screenshot-small,png,
  (click to enlarge),lilykde-screenshot,png,right}

LilyPond is primarily concerned with producing top-quality
engraved sheet music; creating a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
would distract us from this goal.  However, there are other
projects aimed at making it easier to create LilyPond input files.

Some editing environments include syntax highlighting, automatic
command completion, and pre-made templates.  Other programs
actually provide a GUI which allows direct manipulation of a
graphical score.  For more information, see @ref{Easier editing}.



@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Where now?

You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}.  Still not
convinced?  Read about @ref{Easier editing}.

@divEnd


@node Easier editing
@unnumberedsec Easier editing

@ignore
GNU policy forbids us from linking to non-Free software, so don't
add such links.

In particular, don't link to:
- the LilyPond bundle for TextMate (a commercial editor for MacOS).

@end ignore

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Tunefl

@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}

@uref{http://www.tunefl.com}

With tunefl you can typeset your scores directly online
without needing to install LilyPond locally. It allows
trying out all the program's features using a convenient
web interface.

@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading LilyPondTool

@imageClickable{lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot-400wide,png,
  (click to enlarge),lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot,png,right}

@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}

@uref{http://lilypondtool.organum.hu}

Created as a plugin for the
@uref{http://www.jedit.org,jEdit} text editor,
LilyPondTool is one of the most feature-rich text-based tools for
editing LilyPond scores.  Its features include a Document Wizard
with lyrics support to set up documents easier, and embedded PDF
viewer with advanced point-and-click support.

@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Frescobaldi

@imageClickable{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,
  (click to enlarge),frescobaldi-lilypond-editor,png,right}

@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}

@uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org}

Frescobaldi is lightweight, yet powerful LilyPond music and text editor
with a built-in PDF viewer.  It is easy to use and will run on all major
operating systems (GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows).

@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Denemo

@imageClickable{screenshot-denemo-small,png,
  (click to enlarge),screenshot-denemo,png,right}

@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}

@uref{http://denemo.org}

Denemo is a graphical editor which generates LilyPond source code,
and also allows audio playback.  It allows users to view the
LilyPond source code in parallel to the graphical view.  Extra
LilyPond tweaks can be attached to notes, chords etc. and are stored
with the Denemo file, so that users can continue to edit graphically.

Moving the cursor in the LilyPond text moves the cursor in the graphical
view, and any syntax errors in your LilyPond tweaks are highlighted in
the text view when printed from there.

@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Text editors

@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}

@uref{http://elysium.thsoft.hu}

Elysium is a LilyPond IDE for Eclipse with an integrated, side-by-side
view for source and score.  It includes rapid visual & auditive feedback
without having to switch contexts, and comes with many wizard-driven
templates.

@uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/}

Emacs is a text editor with language-sensitive capabilities for
many different computer languages.  Emacs is a highly extensible
editor and can be used as an Integrated Development Environment.
There is a @q{lilypond mode} which supplies the language
definitions for working with LilyPond source files.  A developer
has written @uref{https://github.com/nsceaux/lyqi,lyqi}, an Emacs major
mode.

@uref{http://www.vim.org}

Vim is a minimal text editor and is an extension of the older Unix
@command{vi} editor.  It is also extensible and configurable.

As a general rule, if you are not already familiar with Emacs or
Vim, then you would probably prefer to use a different editor for
writing LilyPond input files.

More information on setting up Emacs and Vim can be found in
@rprogram{Text editor support}.

@sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
@uref{http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop}

The TexShop editor for MacOS@tie{}X can be extended to run LilyPond,
@command{lilypond-book} and @command{convert-ly} from within the editor,
using the extensions available at:

@example
@uref{http://users.dimi.uniud.it/~nicola.vitacolonna/home/content/lilypond-scripts}
@end example

@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading Programs that can export LilyPond code


@subsubheading Score, tab and MIDI editors:

@itemize

@item
@uref{http://www.jezra.net/projects/bwwtolily,bwwtolily} attempts to
convert a @code{.bww} or @code{.bmw} file to LilyPond.  While not all of
the embellishments may get converted properly (this is especially true
with piobaireachd), the program will list them.

@item
@uref{http://www.canorus.org,Canorus}, a score editor, can also export
to LilyPond, but is still beta-software. Testers are welcome, though.

@item
@uref{http://enc2ly.sourceforge.net/en/,Enc2ly} is a GNU/Linux program
which converts an @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} music score into
a LilyPond one.

@item
@uref{https://github.com/hanwen/go-enc2ly,go-enc2ly} is a Go tool that
converts @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} files to LilyPond.  It was
created using Felipe Castro's research and reverse engineering by
tweaking existing .enc files and loading them using the 4.55 demo
version.

@item
@uref{http://www.musescore.org,MuseScore}, a score editor, has
incomplete LilyPond export but is being actively developed.

@item
@uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd},
a score editor based on the @uref{http://www.cairographics.org,Cairo}
library, it has experimental support for exporting to LilyPond.

@item
@uref{http://www.holmessoft.co.uk/homepage/software/NWC2LY/index.htm,NW2LY}
is a C# program which converts a NoteWorthy composer song into LilyPond.

@item
@uref{https://github.com/ciconia/ripple/blob/master/README.markdown,Ripple}
is a program that helps create scores and parts, including a mode for
mixing different musical works together in a single score or part.

@item
@uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com,Rosegarden}, an audio and MIDI
sequencer, which also has a score editor for single-staff editing.

@item
@uref{https://launchpad.net/rumor/,Rumor}, a realtime monophonic
MIDI-to-LilyPond converter.

@item
@uref{http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/,TuxGuitar}, a multitrack tablature
editor and player, includes a score viewer and can export to LilyPond.

@end itemize

@subsubheading Algorithmic code generators

@itemize

@item
@uref{http://www.projectabjad.org/,Abjad}, a
@uref{http://www.python.org/,Python} API for Formalized Score Control
designed to help composers build up complex pieces of LilyPond notation
in an iterative and incremental way.

@item
@uref{http://common-lisp.net/project/fomus/,FOMUS}, (FOrmat MUSic) is a
music notation tool for computer music composers.  It is written in the
Lisp programming language, and has been tested in a variety of
interpreters.  A C++ port is also available.

@item
@uref{http://strasheela.sourceforge.net/strasheela/doc/index.html,Strasheela},
an environment built on top of the
@uref{http://www.mozart-oz.org/, Mozart/Oz} constraint programming
language.

@end itemize
@divEnd

@divClass{column-center-top}

@subheading Other programs not being actively developed

@itemize

@item
@uref{http://lilykde.googlecode.com/,LilyKDE} has been replaced by
@uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as LilyKDE3
for KDE 3.5 and lilypond-KDE4 for KDE 4.1 only.

@item
@uref{http://noteedit.berlios.de,NoteEdit}, which imported
@uref{http://www.makemusic.com/musicxml,MusicXML}, has been forked
into
@uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}
and @uref{http://canorus.org,Canorus}.


@item
@uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical
note entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces
LilyPond notes.

@end itemize

@divEnd


@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Where now?

You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}.

Still not convinced?  Many composers, musicians, and conductors
have learned how to write music in our input format.  Experienced
users even report that they can enter a full score in LilyPond
faster than with a piano keyboard or mouse+GUI!  Perhaps you would
like to review the @ref{Features}, @ref{Examples}, or the
@ref{Freedom} that LilyPond provides, or read about users'
@ref{Productions} and @ref{Reviews}.  In addition, our
approach to the computational aesthetics of classical engraving is
explained in our @ref{Background}.


@subheading Legalese

@divClass{legal}
All logos and product images are copyright and trademark
acknowledged.

@logoLegalLinux

@logoLegalFreeBSD

@logoLegalMacOSX

@logoLegalWindows

@divEnd

@divEnd