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 system which frees musicians from the details of
24 layout, allowing them to focus on making music. LilyPond works
25 with them to create publication-quality parts, crafted in the best
26 traditions of classical music engraving.
30 @divClass{link-headings}
32 @divClass{column-left-top}
33 @subheading What LilyPond does
38 @ref{Features}: What can LilyPond do?
41 @ref{Examples}: I want to see some music!
44 @ref{Freedom}: LilyPond is Free Software.
47 @ref{Background}: Our computational aesthetics.
52 @divClass{column-right-top}
53 @subheading LilyPond in use
57 @ref{Productions}: Real-life use of LilyPond.
60 @ref{Reviews}: What do people say?
65 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
66 @subheading How LilyPond works
70 @ref{Text input}: You write music as @emph{text}?!
73 @ref{Easier editing}: Other ways of working with LilyPond.
80 @c TRANSLATORS, translations are not yet compiled in Info format, so
81 @c it's not worth translating the right column of the following
85 * Features:: What can LilyPond do?
86 * Examples:: I want to see some music!
87 * Freedom:: Freedom and the GPL.
88 * Background:: Computational aesthetics.
89 * Productions:: Real-life use of LilyPond.
90 * Reviews:: What do people say about it?
91 * Text input:: You write music as text?!
92 * Easier editing:: Other ways of working with LilyPond.
99 @unnumberedsec Features
100 @divClass{column-center-top}
104 @subsubheading Excellent classical engraving
106 @imageFloat{flat-design,png,right}
108 LilyPond allows musicians to produce elegant sheet music that is
109 easy to read. Its developer community has spent thousands of hours
110 developing powerful music engraving software that results in beautifully
111 engraved music. All of LilyPond's style settings, font designs and
112 algorithms have been inspired by the finest hand-engraved music.
113 LilyPond output has the same strong, balanced and elegant look as the
114 best-engraved classical scores. This is further explained in our
119 @subsubheading Effective layout choices
121 Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the
122 formatting correct right from the start. It determines spacing by
123 itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform
124 layout. Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved
125 and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically!
131 @subheading Ease of use
133 @imageFloat{lilypond-book,png,right}
135 @subsubheading Text-based input
137 LilyPond takes ASCII input, which you can produce in your favorite
138 text editor, quickly and comfortably. The input contains all the
139 information, so there is no need to remember complex command sequences:
140 simply save a file for later reference.
142 @subsubheading Mix music and text
144 Put fragments of music into texts without cutting and pasting
145 pictures. Integrate music into @LaTeX{} and HTML seamlessly, or add
146 music to OpenOffice.org or LibreOffice with OOoLilyPond. Plugins are
147 also available to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and wikis, making
148 online collaboration possible.
151 @subsubheading Accessibility
153 Text-based input also makes score-writing possible for users with
154 severe physical disabilities. Dexterity-impaired users who are
155 unable to type or control a computer mouse can use
156 speech-recognition software to edit LilyPond files. Even users
157 who are totally blind can use screen-reading software to write
158 LilyPond files -- an impossible task in graphical-based
159 score-writing programs.
161 @subsubheading Extensible design
163 All settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical
164 taste. If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in
165 scripting language Scheme, a dialect of the powerful language
166 LISP. Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the
167 comprehensive program reference manual.
173 @subheading Environment
175 @imageFloat{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,right}
177 @subsubheading Free software
179 LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge! Yep - It's free. Get
180 it from the download page.
182 It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software. It comes with source
183 code, and permission to change and copy it. So, are you irritated
184 by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or
185 pay someone else to do it.
188 @subsubheading Excellent support
190 LilyPond runs on all popular platforms: GNU/Linux, MacOS X, and
191 Windows. LilyPond comes with extensive documentation and hundreds
192 of example files. There is an active user community answering
193 questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, while the development
194 team makes sure that problems are solved quickly.
197 @subsubheading Enhanced editors
200 Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users, have also
201 written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing
202 LilyPond files faster and more effective. For some examples, see
203 @ref{Easier editing}.
206 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
207 @subheading Where now?
209 Still not convinced? Look at some specific @ref{Examples}. If you've
210 already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
217 @unnumberedsec Examples
219 LilyPond is a powerful and flexible tool for engraving tasks of
220 all kinds. Please browse our gallery of examples and be inspired!
224 @subsubheading Classical Music
226 This organ work by J.S. Bach is a fairly typical engraving project
229 @exampleImage{bach-bwv610}
233 @subsubheading Complex Notation
235 This example from @emph{Goyescas} by Enrique Granados shows some
236 of the more advanced features of typesetting, including kneed
237 beams, cross-staff stems, and voice-follow lines.
239 @exampleImage{granados}
243 @subsubheading Early Music
245 LilyPond also supports various types of ancient notation, such
246 as this passage of Gregorian chant.
248 @exampleImage{ancient-headword}
252 @subsubheading Modern Music
254 Contemporary composers find LilyPond well-suited to displaying
255 unusual notation. Here is an excerpt from Trevor Bača's
256 @emph{Čáry}, for unaccompanied bass flute.
263 @subsubheading Efficient, flexible creation of performance materials
265 Various performance materials can be created from the same source
266 code. This is an excerpt of @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/,
267 Nicolas Sceaux's} engraving of Handel's @emph{Giulio Cesare}, in
268 full score, piano-vocal reduction, and a violin part.
270 @exampleImage{sesto-full}
272 @exampleImage{sesto-piano}
274 @exampleImage{sesto-violin}
279 @subsubheading Tablature
281 LilyPond supports tablature notation, which can be customized to
282 suit any instrument that reads from tablature. The tablature
283 staff is generated automatically from notes entered for the 5-line
286 @exampleImage{tab-example}
290 @subsubheading Schenker Graphs
292 Standard output can be modified heavily. Here is an impressive
293 Schenkerian analysis, created by Kris Schaffer, for an article
294 in @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364 , Linux Journal}.
295 The colors have been added for better visibility.
297 @exampleImage{bach-schenker}
301 @subsubheading Vocal Music
303 LilyPond is excellent for vocal music of all kinds, from sacred
304 hymns to opera. Here is a medieval motet with slightly unusual
305 requirements. The tenor voice is written in a different meter
306 than the others, but must line up as if it were in the same meter.
307 LilyPond handles this most elegantly. Note also the incipits with
308 Vaticana style clefs, the slashed stems indicating plicated notes,
309 and the ligature braces above certain groups of notes.
311 @exampleImage{aucun-snippet}
315 @subsubheading Educational Applications
317 LilyPond is perfectly suited for educational purposes as well.
318 Here is an example of a simple counterpoint exercise.
320 @exampleImage{theory}
324 @subsubheading Popular Music
326 It is simple to create pop lead sheets with melody, lyrics,
327 chord names, and fretboards. In this example you see some of the
328 predefined fretboard diagrams, but these can be heavily customized
329 to suit nearly any situation.
335 @subsubheading Large Projects
337 LilyPond is excellent for large projects like operas or works for
338 full symphony orchestra, as well. In addition, the text-based
339 input provides greater accessibility -- this example was
340 contributed by Hu Haipeng, a blind composer.
342 @exampleImage{orchestra}
346 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
347 @subheading Where now?
349 Still not convinced? LilyPond is Free software, granting you
350 @ref{Freedom}. If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first
351 read about our @ref{Text input}.
356 @unnumberedsec Freedom
358 @divClass{column-center-top}
359 @subheading Free Software
361 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/, GNU} LilyPond is written and maintained
362 by a community of enthusiasts. It is published under the
363 @ref{GPL, GNU General Public License} and the @ref{FDL, GNU Free
364 Documentation License}, giving everybody the freedom to fix,
365 modify, and extend the program. Creating beautiful music should
366 not require hundreds of dollars of software!
370 @c @divClass{column-left-top}
372 @divClass{keep-bullets}
373 @subheading What are the benefits to users?
378 No cost: download and try it out! What do you have to lose?
381 Sharing: if you like the program, give a copy to your friends,
382 teachers, students, and colleagues!
385 Source available: if you are curious about how LilyPond creates
386 some notation, you can see exactly how it is done.
389 Extendible: you can add features, fix bugs, and change the
390 functionality. If you are not a programmer, you can hire somebody
393 This may not seem appealing to casual musicians, but the ability
394 to extend software can be highly valuable to serious composers,
395 companies, and academics.
398 Future safety: if a commercial company goes bankrupt, what happens
399 to any electronic music which depends on their products? This is
400 not a concern with LilyPond; even if the entire development team
401 quits (extremely unlikely), the program will still be legally
402 available for copying, modifications, and distribution.
411 @c @divClass{column-right-top}
413 @divClass{keep-bullets}
414 @subheading Why do LilyPond developers @qq{give away} their work for free?
416 Most of us view LilyPond development as a hobby or volunteer work.
417 So this question is really asking @qq{why do people volunteer}?
422 Fun: working towards a goal can be enjoyable, especially when you
426 Shared goals: we all want beautiful sheet music, but few people
427 have the expertise (and nobody has the time!), to create a program
428 which can handle all situations. By working together -- one
429 person improves the automatic beaming code, another person
430 improves the shape of slurs, and a third person writes
431 documentation explaining how to use these features -- we can
432 achieve our goal with only a fraction of the individual effort.
435 @qq{Gift culture}: the Free Software
436 movement has created many great software projects, such as
437 @uref{http://kernel.org/, GNU/Linux},
438 @uref{http://www.getfirefox.com/, Mozilla Firefox}, and
439 @uref{http://www.wesnoth.org/, Battle for Wesnoth}. Having
440 benefitted from these projects, some developers want to @qq{give
441 back} to the community.
444 Work experience: contributing to free software projects is a great way to
445 practice programming, documentation writing, documentation translation,
446 or design. This experience has helped some developers gain job offers
456 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
457 @subheading Where now?
459 Still not convinced? Read our extensive essay about our engraving
460 philosophy in @ref{Background}. If you've already decided to try
461 LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
466 @unnumberedsec Background
468 @divClass{column-center-top}
469 @subheading Background essay
471 We have an extensive essay describing computational aesthetics:
472 the art of creating beauty with a computer.
474 If you just want a quick introduction to LilyPond, the essay might
475 be too much material to read. If you would like to read it now,
476 please progress to @ref{Essay}.
479 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
480 @subheading Where now?
482 Still not convinced? Read about some of our users'
483 @ref{Productions} and sheet music. If you've already decided to
484 try LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
489 @unnumberedsec Productions
491 @divClass{column-left-top}
494 LilyPond engravings have been used for performances around the world.
497 @divClass{keep-bullets}
501 A critical edition of Tommaso Traetta's @emph{Enea nel Lazio (1760)},
502 opera series with libretto by Vittorio Amedeo Cigna-Santi, in four
504 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1987651/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_1_4_, Part One}
505 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994533/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_2_4_, Part Two}
506 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994558/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_3_4_, Part Three}
507 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1996242/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_4_4_, Part Four}
509 @uref{http://unito.academia.edu/LucaRossettoCasel, Luca Rossetto Casel}
510 for his Ph.D. Thesis.
513 Mussorgsky's @emph{Pictures at an exhibition}, re-orchestrated and
514 conducted by @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} with
515 the @uref{http://www.junge-philharmonie-brandenburg.de/,
516 Junge Philharmonie Brandenburg}
517 on Oct 10 2011 and again on Apr 15-16 2012.
520 @uref{http://www.kierenmacmillan.info/, Kieren MacMillan}, composer and
521 musical director. His many, recent works include; @emph{Go Thy Way},
522 performed by the @uref{http://www.saltlakechoralartists.org/,
523 Salt Lake Choral Artists} in March 2012; The
524 @emph{Just Out of Reach Suite} performed
526 @uref{http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall/x1883873762/Music-duo-Chrysalis-to-perform-at-Marshall-University-on-Jan-19,
527 Chrysalis Duo} ; @emph{thrafsmata} performed in July 2011 by the
528 @uref{http://www.pnme.org/CurrentSeason/PreviousSeasons.html, Pittsburgh
532 @emph{Anonymous Student Compliment or Complaint}, by
533 @uref{http://www.mikesolomon.org, Mike Solomon}, winner chosen from among
534 172 entries from 22 countries of the
535 @uref{http://leftcoastensemble.org, 2011 Left Coast Composition Contest}.
536 Other works include, Norman (age 1) for clarinet solo, performed at the
537 @uref{http://emu.music.ufl.edu/fems_concerts.html, University of Florida}'s
538 Electroacoustic Music Festival (FEMF), October 2010.
541 A modern edition of the @emph{Serenata Erminia} by Alessandro Scarlatti,
542 edited by Thomas Griffin, Musicologist (Rome, Italy). Performed on 22
543 October 2010 in the Galleria of the Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano, Naples,
544 Italy. @uref{http://www.ascarlatti2010.net, Alessandro Scarlatti 2010},
545 in celebration of the composer's 350th birthday.
548 @uref{http://www.mercurybaroque.org, Mercury Baroque}'s performance of
549 Lully's @emph{Armide}, May 15-16, 2009, in Houston, Texas (engraving by
550 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
553 Instrumental excerpts from Rameau's @emph{Hippolyte et Aricie} at
554 St. James's Church in Manhattan, May 8, 2009, by Frederick Renz
555 and his ensemble @uref{http://www.earlymusicny.org/, Early Music
556 New York} (engraving by
557 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
560 @emph{Affaire étrangère}, an opera by
561 @uref{http://valentin.villenave.net/,Valentin Villenave}
562 to a French libretto by
563 @uref{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Trondheim, Lewis
564 Trondheim}, premiered February 1, 2009 at
565 @uref{http://www.orchestre-montpellier.com/, L'Opéra National de
566 Montpellier}, France.
574 @divClass{column-right-top}
575 @subheading Published sheet music
577 @divClass{keep-bullets}
581 @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/index.html, Mutopia Project},
582 over 1500 pieces of classical sheet music for free download, and
583 the main showcase of LilyPond scores.
585 @c don't make this "Mutopia" a link, since that looks silly.
587 @uref{http://etudeapp.com, Etude}, @qq{sheet music on steroids} is
588 an iPhone app which displays piano music engraved with LilyPond,
589 including many pieces from Mutopia. The app includes a virtual
590 piano keyboard showing which keys to press to help beginners learn
591 how to read sheet music.
594 @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing},
595 high-quality scores of sacred music, available for immediate
596 download or in traditional paper format.
599 @uref{http://www.shadylane.fr, The Shady Lane Publishing},
600 a @qq{micro musical publishing house} whose goal is to promote a
601 new form of musical economy closer to the musicians and music
610 @contactUsAbout{concerts or sheet music}
612 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
613 @subheading Where now?
615 Still not convinced? Read some of our users' @ref{Reviews}.
616 If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
620 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
621 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/testimonials
624 @unnumberedsec Reviews
626 @divClass{column-left-top}
627 @subheading Published articles
629 @divClass{keep-bullets}
635 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com,Linux Magazine} publishes an
637 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com/w3/issue/126/088-090_projects.pdf,
638 Projects on the Move}. It is an introductory article on MuseScore,
639 LilyPond and Chordii. Author Carla Schroder states @qq{LilyPond is
640 driven from the command line, but don’t let the lack of a GUI scare
641 you away; LilyPond is user-friendly and easy to learn}, and provides
647 Peter Kirn, on the Create Digital Music website, publishes a
648 @uref{http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/05/14/lilypond-free-beautiful-music-notation-engraving-for-anyone/,LilyPond
649 review}. He takes a balanced view on usage, praises LilyPond's
650 high-quality notation and suggests to try it out.
655 The German LinuxUser magazine wrote an
656 @uref{http://www.linux-community.de/Internal/Artikel/Print-Artikel/LinuxUser/2009/10/Digitaler-Notenschluessel,
657 article about LilyPond}.
663 @uref{http://www.polyphonic.org/article.php?id=188, Polyphonic.org}
664 website, presents comments by two orchestra librarians who
665 talk about using software to maintain their libraries.
670 In an @uref{http://news.lilynet.net/Free-Music-Now, article}
671 published in the French @emph{National Conservatory Parent
672 Association}'s yearly magazine, French composer and LilyPond
673 contributor Valentin Villenave explains how Free licenses, and
674 specifically LilyPond-engraved scores, are instrumental in
675 making written music accessible to all.
680 In @uref{http://www.musicbyandrew.ca/finale-lilypond-1.html,
681 articles on his personal site}, Andrew Hawryluk compares Finale
682 and LilyPond in general terms, and evaluates engraving
683 capabilities of both pieces of software in detail. The second
684 article is an instructive analysis of engraving issues in
685 Rachmaninoff's Piano Prelude No. 6, including comparisons with a
686 hand-engraved reference edition.
691 @uref{http://distrowatch.com,DistroWatch} awards LilyPond and
692 @uref{http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20060605,writes}
693 @qq{Ladies and Gentleman, we are pleased to announce that, based
694 on readers' requests, the DistroWatch May 2006 donation has been
695 awarded to LilyPond (@euro{}190.00) and Lua (US$250.00).}
700 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal} publishes an article
701 titled @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364, Make
702 Stunning Schenker Graphs with GNU LilyPond}. It is an in-depth
703 but hands-on feature article with crisp LilyPond graphics. Author
704 Kris Shaffer remarks @qq{GNU LilyPond generates beautiful graphics
705 that make commercial alternatives seem second-rate.}
710 The Belgian newspaper De Standaard investigates what drives Free
711 Software authors in an article titled
712 @uref{http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=G42H5GD6,
713 Delen van KENNIS zonder WINSTBEJAG} (Non-profit sharing of
714 knowlegde) in its @q{DS2 bijlage}. LilyPond is used as an example
715 and the article is interspersed with quotes from an email
716 interview with Jan Nieuwenhuizen. This marks LilyPond's first
717 appearance in mainstream printed press.
722 A French article on the LilyPond 2.6 release appeared on
723 @uref{http://linuxfr.org/2005/06/27/19210.html, linuxfr.org}.
728 The editors of Computer!Totaal, a Dutch computer magazine,
729 @uref{http://lilypond.org/website/pdf/computer-totaal.jpeg,
730 describe LilyPond} in the October 2004 issue as: @qq{Wonderful
731 free (open source) software [@dots{}] The sheet music produced by
732 LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [@dots{}] a very powerful system that
733 can do almost anything.}
738 Dave Phillips wrote an introductory article for
739 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal}: At
740 the sounding edge: LilyPond, parts
741 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7657, one} and
742 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7719, two}.
748 @uref{http://www.all-day-breakfast.com/cannam/linux-musician/lilypond.html,interviewed}
749 Han-Wen Nienhuys and Jan Nieuwenhuizen on linuxmusician.com
750 (original site defunct). This interview was also reviewed in a
751 @uref{http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/03/13/2054227&tid=,
757 Jazz singer Gail Selkirk writes about
758 @uref{http://www.songbirdofswing.com/editorial_page/lilypond/,
759 Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{@dots{} you can make lead sheets or full
760 orchestral parts, and the results can be stunning.}
761 @uref{http://www.computermusic.co.uk/, Computer Music Special},
770 @divClass{column-right-top}
771 @subheading User testimonials
773 @divClass{testimonial-item}
774 @imageFloat{carter-brey,jpg, right}
775 @subsubheading @uref{http://nyphil.org/meet/orchestra/index.cfm?page=profile&personNum=7, Carter Brey}, Principal Cellist, New York Philharmonic
777 @qq{@dots{} I've written a couple of encore pieces for solo cello
778 which I've printed with LilyPond and which I'm going to submit to
779 Schirmer for publication. I'll bet their engraved version wouldn't
780 look half as sharp as mine!}
784 @divClass{testimonial-item}
785 @imageFloat{orm-finnendahl,jpg, left}
786 @subsubheading @uref{http://icem-www.folkwang-hochschule.de/~finnendahl/, Orm Finnendahl}, professor of Composition, Musikhochschule Freiburg
788 @qq{Although I don't know [LilyPond] very well yet, I'm
789 @strong{*very} impressed. I used the program to input a motet of
790 Josquin Desprez in mensural notation and there's no doubt that
791 lilypond outscores all other notation programs easily concerning
792 speed, ease of use and look!}
796 @divClass{testimonial-item}
797 @imageFloat{darius-blasband,jpg, right}
798 @subsubheading Darius Blasband, composer (Brussels, Belgium)
800 @qq{[..after the first orchestra rehearsal] I got numerous
801 compliments about the quality of the scores. Even more
802 importantly, while LilyPond provides numerous hacks to improve the
803 way its scores look, what the orchestra got from me is basically
804 the raw, untouched output.}
808 @divClass{testimonial-item}
809 @subsubheading Kieren MacMillan, composer (Toronto, Canada)
811 @qq{thanks and kudos to the development team for their incredible
812 work. I've never seen anything approaching the output that I get
813 from LilyPond -- I'm totally confident that my music publishing
814 needs will be fulfilled beyond my expectations using this great
815 application. [@dots{}] basically untweaked LilyPond output
816 [@dots{}] looks better than most recent @q{professional}
817 publications I've compared it to (q.v., just about any Warner
818 Bros. score, and even many of the most recent by @q{the old
819 houses}). [@dots{}]} @qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!}
823 @divClass{testimonial-item}
824 @subsubheading Chris Cannam, lead programmer of the @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/, RoseGarden} project
826 @qq{LilyPond is obviously the zillion-ton gorilla [of great music
831 @divClass{testimonial-item}
832 @subsubheading Chris Snyder, @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing}
834 @qq{The way that music is entered for LilyPond causes me to think in a
835 more musical way -- there have been times when I've been stumped as
836 to how to tell Lily to engrave something, only to realize that
837 even if I did get it exactly as the composer wanted, the music
838 would be confusing to read. LilyPond makes it much easier for me
839 to work in my dual editor+engraver role.}
841 @qq{I've been using LilyPond exclusively for my fledgling music
842 publishing business. Virtually without exception, every composer
843 has been blown away by the quality of the engraving when presented
844 with the proofs of their music about to be published. I deserve
845 some of the credit for this -- I spend a lot of time tweaking
846 output, especially ties (mainly in chords) -- but LilyPond gives
847 me an excellent starting point, a very intuitive interface, and
848 the ability to modify absolutely anything if I want to take the
849 time. I'm convinced that no commercial product can come close.}
853 @divClass{testimonial-item}
854 @subsubheading David Bobroff, Bass Trombone, Iceland Symphony Orchestra
856 @qq{I think LilyPond is great [@dots{}] The more I learn about LilyPond
861 @divClass{testimonial-item}
862 @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})
864 @qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [@dots{}]}
866 @qq{THIS IS THE BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!}
868 @qq{Thank you all SO MUCH for your hard work and dedication!}
872 @divClass{testimonial-item}
873 @subsubheading @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}, @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/, Mutopia} contributor
875 @qq{I had a kind of hate-passion relationship with it. Passion
876 because the first score I saw was so amazing! The description of
877 LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [@dots{}] as
878 LilyPond is getting always better, and as I look closer how things
879 are done in scheme, I have less and less frustrations. Anyway,
880 what I mean is: thank you for providing LilyPond, it is really
885 @divClass{testimonial-item}
886 @subsubheading @uref{http://www.troff.org/whoswho.html#werner, Werner Lemberg}, Conductor at the Theatre in Koblenz, Germany and distinguished GNU Hacker
888 @qq{Anyway, LilyPond does an amazingly good job!}
892 @divClass{testimonial-item}
893 @subsubheading Paul Davis, developer of @uref{http://jackaudio.org/, JACK} and @uref{http://www.ardour.org/, Ardour}
895 @qq{I think [LilyPond is] an incredible program, and it produces
896 wonderful, wonderful output. when i read an interview about it
897 last year, i was raving to several friends of mine about its
902 @divClass{testimonial-item}
903 @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)
905 @qq{I have the deepest respect towards LilyPond and towards its creators
906 and maintainers as I know from personal experience how difficult this
907 kind of software can be.}
911 @divClass{testimonial-item}
912 @subsubheading @uref{http://camerondh.blogspot.com, David Cameron}, Musician, professional typesetter and long time SCORE user
914 @qq{My heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to this project. I
915 was a power SCORE user for big typesetting houses way back in the '90s,
916 but I feel LilyPond finally makes it possible for me to get exactly what
917 I want on the page, especially when it isn't "standard" practice.}
922 @contactUsAbout{news articles or testimonals}
924 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
925 @subheading Where now?
927 Read about our @ref{Text input}.
933 @unnumberedsec Text input
935 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
936 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/howto
938 @subheading @qq{Compiling} Music
940 @imageClickable{nereid-shot-small,png, (click to enlarge), nereid-shot,png, right}
942 LilyPond is a @emph{compiled} system: it is run on a text file
943 describing the music. The resulting output is viewed on-screen or
944 printed. In some ways, LilyPond is more similar to a programming
945 language than graphical score editing software.
947 You do not write music by dragging notes from a graphical toolbar
948 and placing them on a dynamically refreshing score; you write
949 music by typing text. This text is interpreted (or @qq{compiled})
950 by LilyPond, which produces beautifully engraved sheet music.
952 People accustomed to graphical user interfaces might need to learn
953 a new way of working, but the results are definitely worth it!
955 @warning{We present a quick overview of our text input -- it's not
956 as complicated as it sounds! Don't worry about understanding
957 every detail in these examples; our beginner documentation covers
958 everything at a much more gradual pace.}
961 @subsubheading It's as simple as A B C
963 Notes are encoded with letters and numbers. Special commands are
964 entered with backslashes.
966 @imageFloat{text-input-1-annotate,png,center}
967 @imageFloat{text-input-1-output,png,center}
969 Alterations are made with different names: add @w{@code{-is}} for
970 sharp, and @w{@code{-es}} for flat (these are Dutch note names, other
971 languages are available). LilyPond figures out where to put
974 @imageFloat{text-input-2-annotate,png,center}
975 @imageFloat{text-input-2-output,png,center}
978 @subsubheading Pop music
980 Put chords and lyrics together to get a lead sheet:
982 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-annotate,png,center}
983 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-output,png,center}
987 @subsubheading Orchestral parts
989 The input file contains the notes of piece of music. Score and
990 parts can be made from a single input file, so that changing a
991 note always affects the score and parts. To be able to include
992 the same music in multiple places, the music is assigned to a
993 @qq{variable} (a name).
995 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-both-annotate,png,center}
998 This variable is then used in a single part (here transposed, with
999 condensed rests spanning several measures):
1001 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-annotate,png,center}
1002 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-output,png,center}
1005 The same variable is used in the full score (here in concert
1008 @imageFloat{text-input-score-annotate,png,center}
1009 @imageFloat{text-input-score-output,png,center}
1012 @subsubheading Beginner Documentation
1014 We realize that many users find this way of entering music a bit
1015 odd. For this reason, we have written extensive documentation to
1016 help new users, beginning with @ref{Learning}. The Learning
1017 Manual is the best place to start, as many questions are answered
1018 before they come up!
1020 Please read the Learning Manual before complaining about bugs!
1021 New users occasionally believe that LilyPond is not working
1022 correctly, when in fact it is working precisely as designed.
1024 More in-depth information is available in @ref{Manuals}.
1026 Ben Lemon, a LilyPond user, has created a range of
1027 @uref{http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond/,video tutorials}
1028 on his blog and which are aimed at new users.
1031 @subsubheading Easier editing environments
1033 @imageClickable{lilykde-screenshot-small,png,
1034 (click to enlarge),lilykde-screenshot,png,right}
1036 LilyPond is primarily concerned with producing top-quality
1037 engraved sheet music; creating a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
1038 would distract us from this goal. However, there are other
1039 projects aimed at making it easier to create LilyPond input files.
1041 Some editing environments include syntax highlighting, automatic
1042 command completion, and pre-made templates. Other programs
1043 actually provide a GUI which allows direct manipulation of a
1044 graphical score. For more information, see @ref{Easier editing}.
1048 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1049 @subheading Where now?
1051 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}. Still not
1052 convinced? Read about @ref{Easier editing}.
1057 @node Easier editing
1058 @unnumberedsec Easier editing
1061 GNU policy forbids us from linking to non-Free software, so don't
1064 In particular, don't link to:
1065 - the LilyPond bundle for TextMate (a commercial editor for MacOS).
1069 @divClass{column-center-top}
1072 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1073 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1074 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1075 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1077 @uref{http://www.tunefl.com}
1079 With tunefl you can typeset your scores directly online
1080 without needing to install lilypond locally. It allows
1081 trying out all the program's features using a convenient
1086 @divClass{column-center-top}
1087 @subheading LilyPondTool
1089 @imageClickable{lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot-400wide,png,
1090 (click to enlarge),lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot,png,right}
1092 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1093 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1094 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1095 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1097 @uref{http://lilypondtool.organum.hu}
1099 Created as a plugin for the
1100 @uref{http://www.jedit.org,jEdit} text editor,
1101 LilyPondTool is one of the most feature-rich text-based tools for
1102 editing LilyPond scores. Its features include a Document Wizard
1103 with lyrics support to set up documents easier, and embedded PDF
1104 viewer with advanced point-and-click support.
1108 @divClass{column-center-top}
1109 @subheading Frescobaldi
1111 @imageClickable{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,
1112 (click to enlarge),frescobaldi-lilypond-editor,png,right}
1114 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1115 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1116 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1118 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org}
1120 Frescobaldi is lightweight, yet powerful LilyPond music and text editor
1121 with a built-in PDF viewer. It is easy to use and will run on all major
1122 operating systems (GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows).
1126 @divClass{column-center-top}
1129 @imageClickable{screenshot-denemo-small,png,
1130 (click to enlarge),screenshot-denemo,png,right}
1132 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1133 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1135 @uref{http://denemo.org}
1137 Denemo is a graphical editor which generates LilyPond source code,
1138 and also allows audio playback. It allows users to view the
1139 LilyPond source code in parallel to the graphical view. Extra
1140 LilyPond tweaks can be attached to notes, chords etc. and are stored
1141 with the Denemo file, so that users can continue to edit graphically.
1143 Moving the cursor in the LilyPond text moves the cursor in the graphical
1144 view, and any syntax errors in your LilyPond tweaks are highlighted in
1145 the text view when printed from there.
1149 @divClass{column-center-top}
1150 @subheading Text editors
1152 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1153 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1154 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1155 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1157 @uref{http://elysium.thsoft.hu}
1159 Elysium is a LilyPond IDE for Eclipse with an integrated, side-by-side
1160 view for source and score. It includes rapid visual & auditive feedback
1161 without having to switch contexts, and comes with many wizard-driven
1164 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/}
1166 Emacs is a text editor with language-sensitive capabilities for
1167 many different computer languages. Emacs is a highly extensible
1168 editor and can be used as an Integrated Development Environment.
1169 There is a @q{lilypond mode} which supplies the language
1170 definitions for working with LilyPond source files. A developer
1171 has written @uref{https://github.com/nsceaux/lyqi,lyqi}, an Emacs major
1174 @uref{http://www.vim.org}
1176 Vim is a minimal text editor and is an extension of the older Unix
1177 @command{vi} editor. It is also extensible and configurable.
1179 As a general rule, if you are not already familiar with Emacs or
1180 Vim, then you would probably prefer to use a different editor for
1181 writing LilyPond input files.
1183 More information on setting up Emacs and Vim can be found in
1184 @rprogram{Text editor support}.
1186 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1187 @uref{http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop}
1189 The TexShop editor for MacOS@tie{}X can be extended to run LilyPond,
1190 @command{lilypond-book} and @command{convert-ly} from within the editor,
1191 using the extensions available at:
1194 @uref{http://users.dimi.uniud.it/~nicola.vitacolonna/home/content/lilypond-scripts}
1199 @divClass{column-center-top}
1200 @subheading Programs that can export LilyPond code
1203 @subsubheading Score, tab and MIDI editors:
1208 @uref{http://www.jezra.net/projects/bwwtolily,bwwtolily} attempts to
1209 convert a @code{.bww} or @code{.bmw} file to LilyPond. While not all of
1210 the embellishments may get converted properly (this is especially true
1211 with piobaireachd), the program will list them.
1214 @uref{http://www.canorus.org,Canorus}, a score editor, can also export
1215 to LilyPond, but is still beta-software. Testers are welcome, though.
1218 @uref{http://enc2ly.sourceforge.net/en/,Enc2ly} is a GNU/Linux program
1219 which converts an @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} music score into
1223 @uref{https://github.com/hanwen/go-enc2ly,go-enc2ly} is a Go tool that
1224 converts @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} files to LilyPond. It was
1225 created using Felipe Castro's research and reverse engineering by
1226 tweaking existing .enc files and loading them using the 4.55 demo
1230 @uref{http://www.musescore.org,MuseScore}, a score editor, has
1231 incomplete LilyPond export but is being actively developed.
1234 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd},
1235 a score editor based on the @uref{http://www.cairographics.org,Cairo}
1236 library, it has experimental support for exporting to LilyPond.
1239 @uref{http://www.holmessoft.co.uk/homepage/software/NWC2LY/index.htm,NW2LY}
1240 is a C# program which converts a NoteWorthy composer song into LilyPond.
1243 @uref{https://github.com/ciconia/ripple/blob/master/README.markdown,Ripple}
1244 is a program that helps create scores and parts, including a mode for
1245 mixing different musical works together in a single score or part.
1248 @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com,Rosegarden}, an audio and MIDI
1249 sequencer, which also has a score editor for single-staff editing.
1252 @uref{https://launchpad.net/rumor/,Rumor}, a realtime monophonic
1253 MIDI-to-LilyPond converter.
1256 @uref{http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/,TuxGuitar}, a multitrack tablature
1257 editor and player, includes a score viewer and can export to LilyPond.
1261 @subsubheading Algorithmic code generators
1266 @uref{http://www.projectabjad.org/,Abjad}, a
1267 @uref{http://www.python.org/,Python} API for Formalized Score Control
1268 designed to help composers build up complex pieces of LilyPond notation
1269 in an iterative and incremental way.
1272 @uref{http://common-lisp.net/project/fomus/,FOMUS}, (FOrmat MUSic) is a
1273 music notation tool for computer music composers. It is written in the
1274 Lisp programming language, and has been tested in a variety of
1275 interpreters. A C++ port is also available.
1278 @uref{http://strasheela.sourceforge.net/strasheela/doc/index.html,Strasheela},
1279 an environment built on top of the
1280 @uref{http://www.mozart-oz.org/, Mozart/Oz} constraint programming
1286 @divClass{column-center-top}
1288 @subheading Other programs not being actively developed
1293 @uref{http://lilykde.googlecode.com/,LilyKDE} has been replaced by
1294 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as LilyKDE3
1295 for KDE 3.5 and lilypond-KDE4 for KDE 4.1 only.
1298 @uref{http://noteedit.berlios.de,NoteEdit}, which imported
1299 @uref{http://www.makemusic.com/musicxml,MusicXML}, has been forked
1301 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}
1302 and @uref{http://canorus.org,Canorus}.
1306 @uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical
1307 note entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces
1315 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1316 @subheading Where now?
1318 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}.
1320 Still not convinced? Many composers, musicians, and conductors
1321 have learned how to write music in our input format. Experienced
1322 users even report that they can enter a full score in LilyPond
1323 faster than with a piano keyboard or mouse+GUI! Perhaps you would
1324 like to review the @ref{Features}, @ref{Examples}, or the
1325 @ref{Freedom} that LilyPond provides, or read about users'
1326 @ref{Productions} and @ref{Reviews}. In addition, our
1327 approach to the computational aesthetics of classical engraving is
1328 explained in our @ref{Background}.
1331 @subheading Legalese
1334 All logos and product images are copyright and trademark