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 @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} has re-orchestrated
502 @emph{Der Ring des Nibelungen} by Richard Wagner to a
503 @uref{http://www.rsb-online.de/content/konzerte/wagnerzyklus-10-13/wagner-fuer-kinder/index_ger.html,100-minute version for children}.
504 It has been written for a standard symphony orchestra but with a reduced
505 cast of singers, and will be performed by the
506 @emph{Radio-Sinfonieorchester Berlin} on the 5th and 6th April 2014 in
507 the Atze Musiktheater, Berlin. The Conductor is Heiko Matthias Förster.
510 Joe Smeets created sheet music for the children's book @emph{Zing Mee}
511 (@emph{Sing along}) by Annie M.G. published by Querido -- ISBN
513 @uref{http://www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl/web/Boek.htm?dbid=18954&typeofpage=134707, www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl}; choir
514 rehearsal scores for the Dutch translation of Benjamin Britten's
515 @emph{Saint Nicolas} performed by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep} in
517 @uref{http://www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl/nl/voorstellingen/sint_nicolaas_leeft, www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl}; and is currently
518 working on the score and parts for an arrangement of Moussurgsky's
519 @emph{Boris Godounov} for wind quartet, piano and percussion. To be
520 performed in 2014, again by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep}.
523 A critical edition of Tommaso Traetta's @emph{Enea nel Lazio (1760)},
524 opera series with libretto by Vittorio Amedeo Cigna-Santi, in four
526 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1987651/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_1_4_, Part One}
527 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994533/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_2_4_, Part Two}
528 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994558/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_3_4_, Part Three}
529 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1996242/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_4_4_, Part Four}
531 @uref{http://unito.academia.edu/LucaRossettoCasel, Luca Rossetto Casel}
532 for his Ph.D. Thesis.
535 Mussorgsky's @emph{Pictures at an exhibition}, re-orchestrated and
536 conducted by @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} with
537 the @uref{http://www.junge-philharmonie-brandenburg.de/,
538 Junge Philharmonie Brandenburg}
539 on Oct 10 2011 and again on Apr 15-16 2012.
542 @uref{http://www.kierenmacmillan.info/, Kieren MacMillan}, composer and
543 musical director. His many, recent works include; @emph{Go Thy Way},
544 performed by the @uref{http://www.saltlakechoralartists.org/,
545 Salt Lake Choral Artists} in March 2012; The
546 @emph{Just Out of Reach Suite} performed
548 @uref{http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall/x1883873762/Music-duo-Chrysalis-to-perform-at-Marshall-University-on-Jan-19,
549 Chrysalis Duo} ; @emph{thrafsmata} performed in July 2011 by the
550 @uref{http://www.pnme.org/CurrentSeason/PreviousSeasons.html, Pittsburgh
554 @emph{Anonymous Student Compliment or Complaint}, by
555 @uref{http://www.mikesolomon.org, Mike Solomon}, winner chosen from among
556 172 entries from 22 countries of the
557 @uref{http://leftcoastensemble.org, 2011 Left Coast Composition Contest}.
558 Other works include, Norman (age 1) for clarinet solo, performed at the
559 @uref{http://emu.music.ufl.edu/fems_concerts.html, University of Florida}'s
560 Electroacoustic Music Festival (FEMF), October 2010.
563 A modern edition of the @emph{Serenata Erminia} by Alessandro Scarlatti,
564 edited by Thomas Griffin, Musicologist (Rome, Italy). Performed on 22
565 October 2010 in the Galleria of the Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano, Naples,
566 Italy. @uref{http://www.ascarlatti2010.net, Alessandro Scarlatti 2010},
567 in celebration of the composer's 350th birthday.
570 @uref{http://www.mercurybaroque.org, Mercury Baroque}'s performance of
571 Lully's @emph{Armide}, May 15-16, 2009, in Houston, Texas (engraving by
572 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
575 Instrumental excerpts from Rameau's @emph{Hippolyte et Aricie} at
576 St. James's Church in Manhattan, May 8, 2009, by Frederick Renz
577 and his ensemble @uref{http://www.earlymusicny.org/, Early Music
578 New York} (engraving by
579 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
582 @emph{Affaire étrangère}, an opera by
583 @uref{http://valentin.villenave.net/,Valentin Villenave}
584 to a French libretto by
585 @uref{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Trondheim, Lewis
586 Trondheim}, premiered February 1, 2009 at
587 @uref{http://www.orchestre-montpellier.com/, L'Opéra National de
588 Montpellier}, France.
596 @divClass{column-right-top}
597 @subheading Published sheet music
599 @divClass{keep-bullets}
603 @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/index.html, Mutopia Project},
604 over 1500 pieces of classical sheet music for free download, and
605 the main showcase of LilyPond scores.
607 @c don't make this "Mutopia" a link, since that looks silly.
609 @uref{http://etudeapp.com, Etude}, @qq{sheet music on steroids} is
610 an iPhone app which displays piano music engraved with LilyPond,
611 including many pieces from Mutopia. The app includes a virtual
612 piano keyboard showing which keys to press to help beginners learn
613 how to read sheet music.
616 @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing},
617 high-quality scores of sacred music, available for immediate
618 download or in traditional paper format.
621 @uref{http://www.shadylane.fr, The Shady Lane Publishing},
622 a @qq{micro musical publishing house} whose goal is to promote a
623 new form of musical economy closer to the musicians and music
632 @contactUsAbout{concerts or sheet music}
634 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
635 @subheading Where now?
637 Still not convinced? Read some of our users' @ref{Reviews}.
638 If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
642 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
643 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/testimonials
646 @unnumberedsec Reviews
648 @divClass{column-left-top}
649 @subheading Published articles
651 @divClass{keep-bullets}
657 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com,Linux Magazine} publishes an
659 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com/w3/issue/126/088-090_projects.pdf,
660 Projects on the Move}. It is an introductory article on MuseScore,
661 LilyPond and Chordii. Author Carla Schroder states @qq{LilyPond is
662 driven from the command line, but don’t let the lack of a GUI scare
663 you away; LilyPond is user-friendly and easy to learn}, and provides
669 Peter Kirn, on the Create Digital Music website, publishes a
670 @uref{http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/05/14/lilypond-free-beautiful-music-notation-engraving-for-anyone/,LilyPond
671 review}. He takes a balanced view on usage, praises LilyPond's
672 high-quality notation and suggests to try it out.
677 The German LinuxUser magazine wrote an
678 @uref{http://www.linux-community.de/Internal/Artikel/Print-Artikel/LinuxUser/2009/10/Digitaler-Notenschluessel,
679 article about LilyPond}.
685 @uref{http://www.polyphonic.org/article.php?id=188, Polyphonic.org}
686 website, presents comments by two orchestra librarians who
687 talk about using software to maintain their libraries.
692 In an @uref{http://news.lilynet.net/Free-Music-Now, article}
693 published in the French @emph{National Conservatory Parent
694 Association}'s yearly magazine, French composer and LilyPond
695 contributor Valentin Villenave explains how Free licenses, and
696 specifically LilyPond-engraved scores, are instrumental in
697 making written music accessible to all.
702 In @uref{http://www.musicbyandrew.ca/finale-lilypond-1.html,
703 articles on his personal site}, Andrew Hawryluk compares Finale
704 and LilyPond in general terms, and evaluates engraving
705 capabilities of both pieces of software in detail. The second
706 article is an instructive analysis of engraving issues in
707 Rachmaninoff's Piano Prelude No. 6, including comparisons with a
708 hand-engraved reference edition.
713 @uref{http://distrowatch.com,DistroWatch} awards LilyPond and
714 @uref{http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20060605,writes}
715 @qq{Ladies and Gentleman, we are pleased to announce that, based
716 on readers' requests, the DistroWatch May 2006 donation has been
717 awarded to LilyPond (@euro{}190.00) and Lua (US$250.00).}
722 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal} publishes an article
723 titled @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364, Make
724 Stunning Schenker Graphs with GNU LilyPond}. It is an in-depth
725 but hands-on feature article with crisp LilyPond graphics. Author
726 Kris Shaffer remarks @qq{GNU LilyPond generates beautiful graphics
727 that make commercial alternatives seem second-rate.}
732 The Belgian newspaper De Standaard investigates what drives Free
733 Software authors in an article titled
734 @uref{http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=G42H5GD6,
735 Delen van KENNIS zonder WINSTBEJAG} (Non-profit sharing of
736 knowlegde) in its @q{DS2 bijlage}. LilyPond is used as an example
737 and the article is interspersed with quotes from an email
738 interview with Jan Nieuwenhuizen. This marks LilyPond's first
739 appearance in mainstream printed press.
744 A French article on the LilyPond 2.6 release appeared on
745 @uref{http://linuxfr.org/2005/06/27/19210.html, linuxfr.org}.
750 The editors of Computer!Totaal, a Dutch computer magazine,
751 @uref{http://lilypond.org/website/pdf/computer-totaal.jpeg,
752 describe LilyPond} in the October 2004 issue as: @qq{Wonderful
753 free (open source) software [@dots{}] The sheet music produced by
754 LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [@dots{}] a very powerful system that
755 can do almost anything.}
760 Dave Phillips wrote an introductory article for
761 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal}: At
762 the sounding edge: LilyPond, parts
763 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7657, one} and
764 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7719, two}.
770 @uref{http://www.all-day-breakfast.com/cannam/linux-musician/lilypond.html,interviewed}
771 Han-Wen Nienhuys and Jan Nieuwenhuizen on linuxmusician.com
772 (original site defunct). This interview was also reviewed in a
773 @uref{http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/03/13/2054227&tid=,
779 Jazz singer Gail Selkirk writes about
780 @uref{http://www.songbirdofswing.com/editorial_page/lilypond/,
781 Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{@dots{} you can make lead sheets or full
782 orchestral parts, and the results can be stunning.}
783 @uref{http://www.computermusic.co.uk/, Computer Music Special},
792 @divClass{column-right-top}
793 @subheading User testimonials
795 @divClass{testimonial-item}
796 @imageFloat{carter-brey,jpg, right}
797 @subsubheading @uref{http://nyphil.org/meet/orchestra/index.cfm?page=profile&personNum=7, Carter Brey}, Principal Cellist, New York Philharmonic
799 @qq{@dots{} I've written a couple of encore pieces for solo cello
800 which I've printed with LilyPond and which I'm going to submit to
801 Schirmer for publication. I'll bet their engraved version wouldn't
802 look half as sharp as mine!}
806 @divClass{testimonial-item}
807 @imageFloat{orm-finnendahl,jpg, left}
808 @subsubheading @uref{http://icem-www.folkwang-hochschule.de/~finnendahl/, Orm Finnendahl}, professor of Composition, Musikhochschule Freiburg
810 @qq{Although I don't know [LilyPond] very well yet, I'm
811 @strong{*very} impressed. I used the program to input a motet of
812 Josquin Desprez in mensural notation and there's no doubt that
813 lilypond outscores all other notation programs easily concerning
814 speed, ease of use and look!}
818 @divClass{testimonial-item}
819 @imageFloat{darius-blasband,jpg, right}
820 @subsubheading Darius Blasband, composer (Brussels, Belgium)
822 @qq{[..after the first orchestra rehearsal] I got numerous
823 compliments about the quality of the scores. Even more
824 importantly, while LilyPond provides numerous hacks to improve the
825 way its scores look, what the orchestra got from me is basically
826 the raw, untouched output.}
830 @divClass{testimonial-item}
831 @subsubheading Kieren MacMillan, composer (Toronto, Canada)
833 @qq{thanks and kudos to the development team for their incredible
834 work. I've never seen anything approaching the output that I get
835 from LilyPond -- I'm totally confident that my music publishing
836 needs will be fulfilled beyond my expectations using this great
837 application. [@dots{}] basically untweaked LilyPond output
838 [@dots{}] looks better than most recent @q{professional}
839 publications I've compared it to (q.v., just about any Warner
840 Bros. score, and even many of the most recent by @q{the old
841 houses}). [@dots{}]} @qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!}
845 @divClass{testimonial-item}
846 @subsubheading Chris Cannam, lead programmer of the @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/, RoseGarden} project
848 @qq{LilyPond is obviously the zillion-ton gorilla [of great music
853 @divClass{testimonial-item}
854 @subsubheading Chris Snyder, @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing}
856 @qq{The way that music is entered for LilyPond causes me to think in a
857 more musical way -- there have been times when I've been stumped as
858 to how to tell Lily to engrave something, only to realize that
859 even if I did get it exactly as the composer wanted, the music
860 would be confusing to read. LilyPond makes it much easier for me
861 to work in my dual editor+engraver role.}
863 @qq{I've been using LilyPond exclusively for my fledgling music
864 publishing business. Virtually without exception, every composer
865 has been blown away by the quality of the engraving when presented
866 with the proofs of their music about to be published. I deserve
867 some of the credit for this -- I spend a lot of time tweaking
868 output, especially ties (mainly in chords) -- but LilyPond gives
869 me an excellent starting point, a very intuitive interface, and
870 the ability to modify absolutely anything if I want to take the
871 time. I'm convinced that no commercial product can come close.}
875 @divClass{testimonial-item}
876 @subsubheading David Bobroff, Bass Trombone, Iceland Symphony Orchestra
878 @qq{I think LilyPond is great [@dots{}] The more I learn about LilyPond
883 @divClass{testimonial-item}
884 @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})
886 @qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [@dots{}]}
888 @qq{THIS IS THE BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!}
890 @qq{Thank you all SO MUCH for your hard work and dedication!}
894 @divClass{testimonial-item}
895 @subsubheading @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}, @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/, Mutopia} contributor
897 @qq{I had a kind of hate-passion relationship with it. Passion
898 because the first score I saw was so amazing! The description of
899 LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [@dots{}] as
900 LilyPond is getting always better, and as I look closer how things
901 are done in scheme, I have less and less frustrations. Anyway,
902 what I mean is: thank you for providing LilyPond, it is really
907 @divClass{testimonial-item}
908 @subsubheading @uref{http://www.troff.org/whoswho.html#werner, Werner Lemberg}, Conductor at the Theatre in Koblenz, Germany and distinguished GNU Hacker
910 @qq{Anyway, LilyPond does an amazingly good job!}
914 @divClass{testimonial-item}
915 @subsubheading Paul Davis, developer of @uref{http://jackaudio.org/, JACK} and @uref{http://www.ardour.org/, Ardour}
917 @qq{I think [LilyPond is] an incredible program, and it produces
918 wonderful, wonderful output. when i read an interview about it
919 last year, i was raving to several friends of mine about its
924 @divClass{testimonial-item}
925 @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)
927 @qq{I have the deepest respect towards LilyPond and towards its creators
928 and maintainers as I know from personal experience how difficult this
929 kind of software can be.}
933 @divClass{testimonial-item}
934 @subsubheading @uref{http://camerondh.blogspot.com, David Cameron}, Musician, professional typesetter and long time SCORE user
936 @qq{My heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to this project. I
937 was a power SCORE user for big typesetting houses way back in the '90s,
938 but I feel LilyPond finally makes it possible for me to get exactly what
939 I want on the page, especially when it isn't "standard" practice.}
944 @contactUsAbout{news articles or testimonals}
946 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
947 @subheading Where now?
949 Read about our @ref{Text input}.
955 @unnumberedsec Text input
957 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
958 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/howto
960 @subheading @qq{Compiling} Music
962 @imageClickable{nereid-shot-small,png, (click to enlarge), nereid-shot,png, right}
964 LilyPond is a @emph{compiled} system: it is run on a text file
965 describing the music. The resulting output is viewed on-screen or
966 printed. In some ways, LilyPond is more similar to a programming
967 language than graphical score editing software.
969 You do not write music by dragging notes from a graphical toolbar
970 and placing them on a dynamically refreshing score; you write
971 music by typing text. This text is interpreted (or @qq{compiled})
972 by LilyPond, which produces beautifully engraved sheet music.
974 People accustomed to graphical user interfaces might need to learn
975 a new way of working, but the results are definitely worth it!
977 @warning{We present a quick overview of our text input -- it's not
978 as complicated as it sounds! Don't worry about understanding
979 every detail in these examples; our beginner documentation covers
980 everything at a much more gradual pace.}
983 @subsubheading It's as simple as A B C
985 Notes are encoded with letters and numbers. Special commands are
986 entered with backslashes.
988 @imageFloat{text-input-1-annotate,png,center}
989 @imageFloat{text-input-1-output,png,center}
991 Alterations are made with different names: add @w{@code{-is}} for
992 sharp, and @w{@code{-es}} for flat (these are Dutch note names, other
993 languages are available). LilyPond figures out where to put
996 @imageFloat{text-input-2-annotate,png,center}
997 @imageFloat{text-input-2-output,png,center}
1000 @subsubheading Pop music
1002 Put chords and lyrics together to get a lead sheet:
1004 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-annotate,png,center}
1005 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-output,png,center}
1009 @subsubheading Orchestral parts
1011 The input file contains the notes of piece of music. Score and
1012 parts can be made from a single input file, so that changing a
1013 note always affects the score and parts. To be able to include
1014 the same music in multiple places, the music is assigned to a
1015 @qq{variable} (a name).
1017 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-both-annotate,png,center}
1020 This variable is then used in a single part (here transposed, with
1021 condensed rests spanning several measures):
1023 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-annotate,png,center}
1024 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-output,png,center}
1027 The same variable is used in the full score (here in concert
1030 @imageFloat{text-input-score-annotate,png,center}
1031 @imageFloat{text-input-score-output,png,center}
1034 @subsubheading Beginner Documentation
1036 We realize that many users find this way of entering music a bit
1037 odd. For this reason, we have written extensive documentation to
1038 help new users, beginning with @ref{Learning}. The Learning
1039 Manual is the best place to start, as many questions are answered
1040 before they come up!
1042 Please read the Learning Manual before complaining about bugs!
1043 New users occasionally believe that LilyPond is not working
1044 correctly, when in fact it is working precisely as designed.
1046 More in-depth information is available in @ref{Manuals}.
1048 Ben Lemon, a LilyPond user, has created a range of
1049 @uref{http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond/,video tutorials}
1050 on his blog and which are aimed at new users.
1053 @subsubheading Easier editing environments
1055 @imageClickable{lilykde-screenshot-small,png,
1056 (click to enlarge),lilykde-screenshot,png,right}
1058 LilyPond is primarily concerned with producing top-quality
1059 engraved sheet music; creating a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
1060 would distract us from this goal. However, there are other
1061 projects aimed at making it easier to create LilyPond input files.
1063 Some editing environments include syntax highlighting, automatic
1064 command completion, and pre-made templates. Other programs
1065 actually provide a GUI which allows direct manipulation of a
1066 graphical score. For more information, see @ref{Easier editing}.
1070 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1071 @subheading Where now?
1073 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}. Still not
1074 convinced? Read about @ref{Easier editing}.
1079 @node Easier editing
1080 @unnumberedsec Easier editing
1083 GNU policy forbids us from linking to non-Free software, so don't
1086 In particular, don't link to:
1087 - the LilyPond bundle for TextMate (a commercial editor for MacOS).
1091 @divClass{column-center-top}
1094 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1095 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1096 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1097 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1099 @uref{http://www.tunefl.com}
1101 With tunefl you can typeset your scores directly online
1102 without needing to install LilyPond locally. It allows
1103 trying out all the program's features using a convenient
1108 @divClass{column-center-top}
1109 @subheading LilyPondTool
1111 @imageClickable{lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot-400wide,png,
1112 (click to enlarge),lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot,png,right}
1114 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1115 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1116 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1117 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1119 @uref{http://lilypondtool.organum.hu}
1121 Created as a plugin for the
1122 @uref{http://www.jedit.org,jEdit} text editor,
1123 LilyPondTool is one of the most feature-rich text-based tools for
1124 editing LilyPond scores. Its features include a Document Wizard
1125 with lyrics support to set up documents easier, and embedded PDF
1126 viewer with advanced point-and-click support.
1130 @divClass{column-center-top}
1131 @subheading Frescobaldi
1133 @imageClickable{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,
1134 (click to enlarge),frescobaldi-lilypond-editor,png,right}
1136 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1137 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1138 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1140 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org}
1142 Frescobaldi is lightweight, yet powerful LilyPond music and text editor
1143 with a built-in PDF viewer. It is easy to use and will run on all major
1144 operating systems (GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows).
1148 @divClass{column-center-top}
1151 @imageClickable{screenshot-denemo-small,png,
1152 (click to enlarge),screenshot-denemo,png,right}
1154 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1155 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1157 @uref{http://denemo.org}
1159 Denemo is a graphical editor which generates LilyPond source code,
1160 and also allows audio playback. It allows users to view the
1161 LilyPond source code in parallel to the graphical view. Extra
1162 LilyPond tweaks can be attached to notes, chords etc. and are stored
1163 with the Denemo file, so that users can continue to edit graphically.
1165 Moving the cursor in the LilyPond text moves the cursor in the graphical
1166 view, and any syntax errors in your LilyPond tweaks are highlighted in
1167 the text view when printed from there.
1171 @divClass{column-center-top}
1172 @subheading Text editors
1174 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1175 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1176 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1177 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1179 @uref{http://elysium.thsoft.hu}
1181 Elysium is a LilyPond IDE for Eclipse with an integrated, side-by-side
1182 view for source and score. It includes rapid visual & auditive feedback
1183 without having to switch contexts, and comes with many wizard-driven
1186 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/}
1188 Emacs is a text editor with language-sensitive capabilities for
1189 many different computer languages. Emacs is a highly extensible
1190 editor and can be used as an Integrated Development Environment.
1191 There is a @q{lilypond mode} which supplies the language
1192 definitions for working with LilyPond source files. A developer
1193 has written @uref{https://github.com/nsceaux/lyqi,lyqi}, an Emacs major
1196 @uref{http://www.vim.org}
1198 Vim is a minimal text editor and is an extension of the older Unix
1199 @command{vi} editor. It is also extensible and configurable.
1201 As a general rule, if you are not already familiar with Emacs or
1202 Vim, then you would probably prefer to use a different editor for
1203 writing LilyPond input files.
1205 More information on setting up Emacs and Vim can be found in
1206 @rprogram{Text editor support}.
1208 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1209 @uref{http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop}
1211 The TexShop editor for MacOS@tie{}X can be extended to run LilyPond,
1212 @command{lilypond-book} and @command{convert-ly} from within the editor,
1213 using the extensions available at:
1216 @uref{http://users.dimi.uniud.it/~nicola.vitacolonna/home/content/lilypond-scripts}
1221 @divClass{column-center-top}
1222 @subheading Programs that can export LilyPond code
1225 @subsubheading Score, tab and MIDI editors:
1230 @uref{http://www.jezra.net/projects/bwwtolily,bwwtolily} attempts to
1231 convert a @code{.bww} or @code{.bmw} file to LilyPond. While not all of
1232 the embellishments may get converted properly (this is especially true
1233 with piobaireachd), the program will list them.
1236 @uref{http://www.canorus.org,Canorus}, a score editor, can also export
1237 to LilyPond, but is still beta-software. Testers are welcome, though.
1240 @uref{http://enc2ly.sourceforge.net/en/,Enc2ly} is a GNU/Linux program
1241 which converts an @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} music score into
1245 @uref{https://github.com/hanwen/go-enc2ly,go-enc2ly} is a Go tool that
1246 converts @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} files to LilyPond. It was
1247 created using Felipe Castro's research and reverse engineering by
1248 tweaking existing .enc files and loading them using the 4.55 demo
1252 @uref{http://www.musescore.org,MuseScore}, a score editor, has
1253 incomplete LilyPond export but is being actively developed.
1256 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd},
1257 a score editor based on the @uref{http://www.cairographics.org,Cairo}
1258 library, it has experimental support for exporting to LilyPond.
1261 @uref{http://www.holmessoft.co.uk/homepage/software/NWC2LY/index.htm,NW2LY}
1262 is a C# program which converts a NoteWorthy composer song into LilyPond.
1265 @uref{https://github.com/ciconia/ripple/blob/master/README.markdown,Ripple}
1266 is a program that helps create scores and parts, including a mode for
1267 mixing different musical works together in a single score or part.
1270 @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com,Rosegarden}, an audio and MIDI
1271 sequencer, which also has a score editor for single-staff editing.
1274 @uref{https://launchpad.net/rumor/,Rumor}, a realtime monophonic
1275 MIDI-to-LilyPond converter.
1278 @uref{http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/,TuxGuitar}, a multitrack tablature
1279 editor and player, includes a score viewer and can export to LilyPond.
1283 @subsubheading Algorithmic code generators
1288 @uref{http://www.projectabjad.org/,Abjad}, a
1289 @uref{http://www.python.org/,Python} API for Formalized Score Control
1290 designed to help composers build up complex pieces of LilyPond notation
1291 in an iterative and incremental way.
1294 @uref{http://common-lisp.net/project/fomus/,FOMUS}, (FOrmat MUSic) is a
1295 music notation tool for computer music composers. It is written in the
1296 Lisp programming language, and has been tested in a variety of
1297 interpreters. A C++ port is also available.
1300 @uref{http://strasheela.sourceforge.net/strasheela/doc/index.html,Strasheela},
1301 an environment built on top of the
1302 @uref{http://www.mozart-oz.org/, Mozart/Oz} constraint programming
1308 @divClass{column-center-top}
1310 @subheading Other programs not being actively developed
1315 @uref{http://lilykde.googlecode.com/,LilyKDE} has been replaced by
1316 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as LilyKDE3
1317 for KDE 3.5 and lilypond-KDE4 for KDE 4.1 only.
1320 @uref{http://noteedit.berlios.de,NoteEdit}, which imported
1321 @uref{http://www.makemusic.com/musicxml,MusicXML}, has been forked
1323 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}
1324 and @uref{http://canorus.org,Canorus}.
1328 @uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical
1329 note entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces
1337 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1338 @subheading Where now?
1340 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}.
1342 Still not convinced? Many composers, musicians, and conductors
1343 have learned how to write music in our input format. Experienced
1344 users even report that they can enter a full score in LilyPond
1345 faster than with a piano keyboard or mouse+GUI! Perhaps you would
1346 like to review the @ref{Features}, @ref{Examples}, or the
1347 @ref{Freedom} that LilyPond provides, or read about users'
1348 @ref{Productions} and @ref{Reviews}. In addition, our
1349 approach to the computational aesthetics of classical engraving is
1350 explained in our @ref{Background}.
1353 @subheading Legalese
1356 All logos and product images are copyright and trademark