1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
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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{column-left-top}
31 @subheading What LilyPond does
36 @ref{Features}: What can LilyPond do?
39 @ref{Examples}: I want to see some music!
42 @ref{Freedom}: LilyPond is Free Software.
45 @ref{Background}: Our computational aesthetics.
50 @divClass{column-right-top}
51 @subheading LilyPond in use
55 @ref{Productions}: Real-life use of LilyPond.
58 @ref{Reviews}: What do people say?
63 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
64 @subheading How LilyPond works
68 @ref{Text input}: You write music as @emph{text}?!
71 @ref{Easier editing}: Other ways of working with LilyPond.
76 @c TRANSLATORS, translations are not yet compiled in Info format, so
77 @c it's not worth translating the right column of the following
81 * Features:: What can LilyPond do?
82 * Examples:: I want to see some music!
83 * Freedom:: Freedom and the GPL.
84 * Background:: Computational aesthetics.
85 * Productions:: Real-life use of LilyPond.
86 * Reviews:: What do people say about it?
87 * Text input:: You write music as text?!
88 * Easier editing:: Other ways of working with LilyPond.
95 @unnumberedsec Features
96 @divClass{column-center-top}
100 @subsubheading Excellent classical engraving
102 @imageFloat{flat-design,png,right}
104 LilyPond allows musicians to produce elegant sheet music that is
105 easy to read. Its developer community has spent thousands of hours
106 developing powerful music engraving software that results in beautifully
107 engraved music. All of LilyPond's style settings, font designs and
108 algorithms have been inspired by the finest hand-engraved music.
109 LilyPond output has the same strong, balanced and elegant look as the
110 best-engraved classical scores. This is further explained in our
115 @subsubheading Effective layout choices
117 Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the
118 formatting correct right from the start. It determines spacing by
119 itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform
120 layout. Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved
121 and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically!
127 @subheading Ease of use
129 @imageFloat{lilypond-book,png,right}
131 @subsubheading Text-based input
133 LilyPond takes ASCII input, which you can produce in your favorite
134 text editor, quickly and comfortably. The input contains all the
135 information, so there is no need to remember complex command sequences:
136 simply save a file for later reference.
138 @subsubheading Mix music and text
140 Put fragments of music into texts without cutting and pasting
141 pictures. Integrate music into @LaTeX{} or HTML seamlessly, or add
142 music to OpenOffice.org with OOoLilyPond. Plugins are also available
143 to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and wikis, making online
144 collaboration possible.
147 @subsubheading Accessibility
149 Text-based input also makes score-writing possible for users with
150 severe physical disabilities. Dexterity-impaired users who are
151 unable to type or control a computer mouse can use
152 speech-recognition software to edit LilyPond files. Even users
153 who are totally blind can use screen-reading software to write
154 LilyPond files -- an impossible task in graphical-based
155 score-writing programs.
157 @subsubheading Extensible design
159 All settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical
160 taste. If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in
161 scripting language Scheme, a dialect of the powerful language
162 LISP. Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the
163 comprehensive program reference manual.
169 @subheading Environment
171 @imageFloat{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,right}
173 @subsubheading Free software
175 LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge! Yep - It's free. Get
176 it from the download page.
178 It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software. It comes with source
179 code, and permission to change and copy it. So, are you irritated
180 by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or
181 pay someone else to do it.
184 @subsubheading Excellent support
186 LilyPond runs on all popular platforms: GNU/Linux, MacOS X, and
187 Windows. LilyPond comes with extensive documentation and hundreds
188 of example files. There is an active user community answering
189 questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, while the development
190 team makes sure that problems are solved quickly.
193 @subsubheading Enhanced editors
196 Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users, have also
197 written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing
198 LilyPond files faster and more effective. For some examples, see
199 @ref{Easier editing}.
202 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
203 @subheading Where now?
205 Still not convinced? Look at some specific @ref{Examples}. If you've
206 already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
213 @unnumberedsec Examples
215 LilyPond is a powerful and flexible tool for engraving tasks of
216 all kinds. Please browse our gallery of examples and be inspired!
220 @subsubheading Classical Music
222 This organ work by J.S. Bach is a fairly typical engraving project
225 @exampleImage{bach-bwv610}
229 @subsubheading Complex Notation
231 This example from @emph{Goyescas} by Enrique Granados shows some
232 of the more advanced features of typesetting, including kneed
233 beams, cross-staff stems, and voice-follow lines.
235 @exampleImage{granados}
239 @subsubheading Early Music
241 LilyPond also supports various types of ancient notation, such
242 as this passage of Gregorian chant.
244 @exampleImage{ancient-headword}
248 @subsubheading Modern Music
250 Contemporary composers find LilyPond well-suited to displaying
251 unusual notation. Here is an excerpt from Trevor Bača's
252 @emph{Čáry}, for unaccompanied bass flute.
259 @subsubheading Efficient, flexible creation of performance materials
261 Various performance materials can be created from the same source
262 code. This is an excerpt of @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/,
263 Nicolas Sceaux's} engraving of Handel's @emph{Giulio Cesare}, in
264 full score, piano-vocal reduction, and a violin part.
266 @exampleImage{sesto-full}
268 @exampleImage{sesto-piano}
270 @exampleImage{sesto-violin}
275 @subsubheading Tablature
277 LilyPond supports tablature notation, which can be customized to
278 suit any instrument that reads from tablature. The tablature
279 staff is generated automatically from notes entered for the 5-line
282 @exampleImage{tab-example}
286 @subsubheading Schenker Graphs
288 Standard output can be modified heavily. Here is an impressive
289 Schenkerian analysis, created by Kris Schaffer, for an article
290 in @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364 , Linux Journal}
292 @exampleImage{bach-schenker}
296 @subsubheading Vocal Music
298 LilyPond is excellent for vocal music of all kinds, from sacred
299 hymns to opera. Here is a medieval motet with slightly unusual
300 requirements. The tenor voice is written in a different meter
301 than the others, but must line up as if it were in the same meter.
302 LilyPond handles this most elegantly. Note also the incipits with
303 Vaticana style clefs, the slashed stems indicating plicated notes,
304 and the ligature braces above certain groups of notes.
306 @exampleImage{aucun-snippet}
310 @subsubheading Educational Applications
312 LilyPond is perfectly suited for educational purposes as well.
313 Here is an example of a simple counterpoint exercise.
315 @exampleImage{theory}
319 @subsubheading Popular Music
321 It is simple to create pop lead sheets with melody, lyrics,
322 chord names, and fretboards. In this example you see some of the
323 predefined fretboard diagrams, but these can be heavily customized
324 to suit nearly any situation.
330 @subsubheading Large Projects
332 LilyPond is excellent for large projects like operas or works for
333 full symphony orchestra, as well. In addition, the text-based
334 input provides greater accessibility -- this example was
335 contributed by Hu Haipeng, a blind composer.
337 @exampleImage{orchestra}
341 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
342 @subheading Where now?
344 Still not convinced? LilyPond is Free software, granting you
345 @ref{Freedom}. If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first
346 read about our @ref{Text input}.
351 @unnumberedsec Freedom
353 @divClass{column-center-top}
354 @subheading Free Software
356 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/, GNU} LilyPond is written and maintained
357 by a community of enthusiasts. It is published under the
358 @ref{GPL, GNU General Public License} and the @ref{FDL, GNU Free
359 Documentation License}, giving everybody the freedom to fix,
360 modify, and extend the program. Creating beautiful music should
361 not require hundreds of dollars of software!
365 @c @divClass{column-left-top}
367 @divClass{keep-bullets}
368 @subheading What are the benefits to users?
373 No cost: download and try it out! What do you have to lose?
376 Sharing: if you like the program, give a copy to your friends,
377 teachers, students, and colleagues!
380 Source available: if you are curious about how LilyPond creates
381 some notation, you can see exactly how it is done.
384 Extendible: you can add features, fix bugs, and change the
385 functionality. If you are not a programmer, you can hire somebody
388 This may not seem appealing to casual musicians, but the ability
389 to extend software can be highly valuable to serious composers,
390 companies, and academics.
393 Future safety: if a commercial company goes bankrupt, what happens
394 to any electronic music which depends on their products? This is
395 not a concern with LilyPond; even if the entire development team
396 quits (extremely unlikely), the program will still be legally
397 available for copying, modifications, and distribution.
406 @c @divClass{column-right-top}
408 @divClass{keep-bullets}
409 @subheading Why do LilyPond developers @qq{give away} their work for free?
411 Most of us view LilyPond development as a hobby or volunteer work.
412 So this question is really asking @qq{why do people volunteer}?
417 Fun: working towards a goal can be enjoyable, especially when you
421 Shared goals: we all want beautiful sheet music, but few people
422 have the expertise (and nobody has the time!), to create a program
423 which can handle all situations. By working together -- one
424 person improves the automatic beaming code, another person
425 improves the shape of slurs, and a third person writes
426 documentation explaining how to use these features -- we can
427 achieve our goal with only a fraction of the individual effort.
430 @qq{Gift culture}: the Free Software (or @qq{Open Source})
431 movement has created many great software projects, such as
432 @uref{http://kernel.org/, GNU/Linux},
433 @uref{http://www.getfirefox.com/, Mozilla Firefox}, and
434 @uref{http://www.wesnoth.org/, Battle for Wesnoth}. Having
435 benefitted from these projects, some developers want to @qq{give
436 back} to the community.
439 Work experience: contributing to open-source projects is a great way to
440 practice programming, documentation writing, documentation translation,
441 or design. This experience has helped some developers gain job offers
451 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
452 @subheading Where now?
454 Still not convinced? Read our extensive essay about our engraving
455 philosophy in @ref{Background}. If you've already decided to try
456 LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
461 @unnumberedsec Background
463 @divClass{column-center-top}
464 @subheading Background essay
466 We have an extensive essay describing computational aesthetics:
467 the art of creating beauty with a computer.
469 If you just want a quick introduction to LilyPond, the essay might
470 be too much material to read. If you would like to read it now,
471 please progress to @ref{Essay}.
474 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
475 @subheading Where now?
477 Still not convinced? Read about some of our users'
478 @ref{Productions} and sheet music. If you've already decided to
479 try LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
484 @unnumberedsec Productions
486 @divClass{column-left-top}
489 LilyPond engravings have been used for performances around the world.
492 @divClass{keep-bullets}
496 @emph{Affaire étrangère}, an opera by
497 @uref{http://valentin.villenave.net/,Valentin Villenave}
498 to a French libretto by
499 @uref{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Trondheim, Lewis
500 Trondheim}, premiered February 1, 2009 at
501 @uref{http://www.orchestre-montpellier.com/, L'Opéra National de
502 Montpellier}, France.
505 @uref{http://www.mercurybaroque.org/02/02109.aspx, Mercury Baroque}'s
506 performance of Lully's @emph{Armide}, May 15-16, 2009, in Houston,
507 Texas (engraving by @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/,
511 Instrumental excerpts from Rameau's @emph{Hippolyte et Aricie} at
512 St. James's Church in Manhattan, May 8, 2009, by Frederick Renz
513 and his ensemble @uref{http://www.earlymusicny.org/, Early Music
514 New York} (engraving by Nicolas Sceaux).
522 @divClass{column-right-top}
523 @subheading Published sheet music
525 @divClass{keep-bullets}
529 @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/index.html, Mutopia Project},
530 over 1500 pieces of classical sheet music for free download, and
531 the main showcase of LilyPond scores.
533 @c don't make this "Mutopia" a link, since that looks silly.
535 @uref{http://etudeapp.com, Etude}, @qq{sheet music on steroids} is
536 an iPhone app which displays piano music engraved with LilyPond,
537 including many pieces from Mutopia. The app includes a virtual
538 piano keyboard showing which keys to press to help beginners learn
539 how to read sheet music.
542 @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing},
543 high-quality scores of sacred music, available for immediate
544 download or in traditional paper format.
547 @uref{http://theshadylanepublishing.com/, The Shady Lane
549 a @qq{micro musical publishing house} whose goal is to promote a
550 new form of musical economy closer to the musicians and music
560 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
561 @subheading Where now?
563 Still not convinced? Read some of our users' @ref{Reviews}.
564 If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
568 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
569 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/testimonials
572 @unnumberedsec Reviews
574 @divClass{column-left-top}
575 @subheading Published articles
577 @divClass{keep-bullets}
583 The German LinuxUser magazine wrote an
584 @uref{http://www.linux-community.de/Internal/Artikel/Print-Artikel/LinuxUser/2009/10/Digitaler-Notenschluessel,
585 article about LilyPond}.
591 In @uref{http://www.musicbyandrew.ca/finale-lilypond-1.html,
592 articles on his personal site}, Andrew Hawryluk compares Finale
593 and LilyPond in general terms, and evaluates engraving
594 capabilities of both pieces of software in detail. The second
595 article is an instructive analysis of engraving issues in
596 Rachmaninoff's Piano Prelude No. 6, including comparisons with a
597 hand-engraved reference edition.
602 @uref{http://distrowatch.com,DistroWatch} awards LilyPond and
603 @uref{http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20060605,writes}
604 @qq{Ladies and Gentleman, we are pleased to announce that, based
605 on readers' requests, the DistroWatch May 2006 donation has been
606 awarded to LilyPond (@euro{}190.00) and Lua (US$250.00).}
611 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal} publishes an article
612 titled @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364, Make
613 Stunning Schenker Graphs with GNU LilyPond}. It is an in-depth
614 but hands-on feature article with crisp LilyPond graphics. Author
615 Kris Shaffer remarks @qq{GNU LilyPond generates beautiful graphics
616 that make commercial alternatives seem second-rate.}
621 The Belgian newspaper De Standaard investigates what drives Free
622 Software authors in an article titled
623 @uref{http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=G42H5GD6,
624 Delen van KENNIS zonder WINSTBEJAG} (Non-profit sharing of
625 knowlegde) in its @q{DS2 bijlage}. LilyPond is used as an example
626 and the article is interspersed with quotes from an email
627 interview with Jan Nieuwenhuizen. This marks LilyPond's first
628 appearance in mainstream printed press.
633 A French article on the LilyPond 2.6 release appeared on
634 @uref{http://linuxfr.org/2005/06/27/19210.html, linuxfr.org}.
639 The editors of Computer!Totaal, a Dutch computer magazine,
640 @uref{http://lilypond.org/web/images/computer-totaal.jpeg,
641 describe LilyPond} in the October 2004 issue as: @qq{Wonderful
642 free (open source) software [..] The sheet music produced by
643 LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [..] a very powerful system that
644 can do almost anything.}
649 Dave Phillips wrote an introductory article for
650 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal}: At
651 the sounding edge: LilyPond, parts
652 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7657, one} and
653 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7719, two}.
659 @uref{http://www.all-day-breakfast.com/cannam/linux-musician/lilypond.html,interviewed}
660 Han-Wen Nienhuys and Jan Nieuwenhuizen on linuxmusician.com
661 (original site defunct). This interview was also reviewed in a
662 @uref{http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/03/13/2054227&tid=,
668 Jazz singer Gail Selkirk writes about
669 @uref{http://www.songbirdofswing.com/editorial_page/lilypond/,
670 Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{... you can make lead sheets or full
671 orchestral parts, and the results can be stunning.}
672 @uref{http://www.computermusic.co.uk/, Computer Music Special},
681 @divClass{column-right-top}
682 @subheading User testimonials
684 @divClass{testimonial-item}
685 @imageFloat{carter-brey,jpg, right}
686 @subsubheading @uref{http://nyphil.org/meet/orchestra/index.cfm?page=profile&personNum=7, Carter Brey}, Principal Cellist, New York Philharmonic
688 @qq{@dots{} I've written a couple of encore pieces for solo cello
689 which I've printed with LilyPond and which I'm going to submit to
690 Schirmer for publication. I'll bet their engraved version wouldn't
691 look half as sharp as mine!}
695 @divClass{testimonial-item}
696 @imageFloat{orm-finnendahl,jpg, left}
697 @subsubheading @uref{http://icem-www.folkwang-hochschule.de/~finnendahl/, Orm Finnendahl}, professor of Composition, Musikhochschule Freiburg
699 @qq{Although I don't know [LilyPond] very well yet, I'm
700 @strong{*very} impressed. I used the program to input a motet of
701 Josquin Desprez in mensural notation and there's no doubt that
702 lilypond outscores all other notation programs easily concerning
703 speed, ease of use and look!}
707 @divClass{testimonial-item}
708 @imageFloat{darius-blasband,jpg, right}
709 @subsubheading Darius Blasband, composer (Brussels, Belgium)
711 @qq{[..after the first orchestra rehearsal] I got numerous
712 compliments about the quality of the scores. Even more
713 importantly, while LilyPond provides numerous hacks to improve the
714 way its scores look, what the orchestra got from me is basically
715 the raw, untouched output.}
719 @divClass{testimonial-item}
720 @subsubheading Kieren MacMillan, composer (Toronto, Canada)
722 @qq{thanks and kudos to the development team for their incredible
723 work. I've never seen anything approaching the output that I get
724 from LilyPond -- I'm totally confident that my music publishing
725 needs will be fulfilled beyond my expectations using this great
726 application. [..] basically untweaked LilyPond output [..] looks
727 better than most recent @q{professional} publications I've compared
728 it to (q.v., just about any Warner Bros. score, and even many of
729 the most recent by @q{the old houses}). [..]}
731 @qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!}
735 @divClass{testimonial-item}
736 @subsubheading Chris Cannam, lead programmer of the @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/, RoseGarden} project
738 @qq{LilyPond is obviously the zillion-ton gorilla [of great music
743 @divClass{testimonial-item}
744 @subsubheading Chris Snyder, @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing}
746 @qq{The way that music is entered for LilyPond causes me to think in a
747 more musical way -- there have been times when I've been stumped as
748 to how to tell Lily to engrave something, only to realize that
749 even if I did get it exactly as the composer wanted, the music
750 would be confusing to read. LilyPond makes it much easier for me
751 to work in my dual editor+engraver role.}
753 @qq{I've been using LilyPond exclusively for my fledgling music
754 publishing business. Virtually without exception, every composer
755 has been blown away by the quality of the engraving when presented
756 with the proofs of their music about to be published. I deserve
757 some of the credit for this -- I spend a lot of time tweaking
758 output, especially ties (mainly in chords) -- but LilyPond gives
759 me an excellent starting point, a very intuitive interface, and
760 the ability to modify absolutely anything if I want to take the
761 time. I'm convinced that no commercial product can come close.}
765 @divClass{testimonial-item}
766 @subsubheading David Bobroff, Bass Trombone, Iceland Symphony Orchestra
768 @qq{I think LilyPond is great [..] The more I learn about LilyPond
773 @divClass{testimonial-item}
774 @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})
776 @qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [..]}
778 @qq{THIS IS THE BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!}
780 @qq{Thank you all SO MUCH for your hard work and dedication!}
784 @divClass{testimonial-item}
785 @subsubheading @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}, @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/, Mutopia} contributor
787 @qq{I had a kind of hate-passion relationship with it. Passion
788 because the first score I saw was so amazing! The description of
789 LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [..] as
790 LilyPond is getting always better, and as I look closer how things
791 are done in scheme, I have less and less frustrations. Anyway,
792 what I mean is: thank you for providing LilyPond, it is really
797 @divClass{testimonial-item}
798 @subsubheading @uref{http://www.troff.org/whoswho.html#werner, Werner Lemberg}, Conductor at the Theatre in Koblenz, Germany and distinguished GNU Hacker
800 @qq{Anyway, LilyPond does an amazingly good job!}
804 @divClass{testimonial-item}
805 @subsubheading Paul Davis, developer of @uref{http://jackaudio.org/, JACK} and @uref{http://www.ardour.org/, Ardour}
807 @qq{I think [LilyPond is] an incredible program, and it produces
808 wonderful, wonderful output. when i read an interview about it
809 last year, i was raving to several friends of mine about its
815 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
816 @subheading Where now?
818 Read about our @ref{Text input}.
824 @unnumberedsec Text input
826 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
827 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/howto
829 @subheading @qq{Compiling} Music
831 @imageClickable{nereid-shot-small,png, (click to enlarge), nereid-shot,png, right}
833 LilyPond is a @emph{compiled} system: it is run on a text file
834 describing the music. The resulting output is viewed on-screen or
835 printed. In some ways, LilyPond is more similar to a programming
836 language than graphical score editing software.
838 You do not write music by dragging notes from a graphical toolbar
839 and placing them on a dynamically refreshing score; you write
840 music by typing text. This text is interpreted (or @qq{compiled})
841 by LilyPond, which produces beautifully engraved sheet music.
843 People accustomed to graphical user interfaces might need to learn
844 a new way of working, but the results are definitely worth it!
846 @warning{We present a quick overview of our text input -- it's not
847 as complicated as it sounds! Don't worry about understanding
848 every detail in these examples; our beginner documentation covers
849 everything at a much more gradual pace.}
852 @subsubheading It's as simple as A B C
854 Notes are encoded with letters and numbers. Special commands are
855 entered with backslashes.
857 @imageFloat{text-input-1-annotate,png,center}
858 @imageFloat{text-input-1-output,png,center}
860 Alterations are made with different names: add @code{-is} for
861 sharp, and @code{-es} for flat (these are Dutch note names, other
862 languages are available). LilyPond figures out where to put
865 @imageFloat{text-input-2-annotate,png,center}
866 @imageFloat{text-input-2-output,png,center}
869 @subsubheading Pop music
871 Put chords and lyrics together to get a lead sheet:
873 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-annotate,png,center}
874 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-output,png,center}
878 @subsubheading Orchestral parts
880 The input file contains the notes of piece of music. Score and
881 parts can be made from a single input file, so that changing a
882 note always affects the score and parts. To be able to include
883 the same music in multiple places, the music is assigned to a
884 @qq{variable} (a name).
886 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-both-annotate,png,center}
889 This variable is then used in a single part (here transposed, with
890 condensed rests spanning several measures):
892 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-annotate,png,center}
893 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-output,png,center}
896 The same variable is used in the full score (here in concert
899 @imageFloat{text-input-score-annotate,png,center}
900 @imageFloat{text-input-score-output,png,center}
903 @subsubheading Beginner Documentation
905 We realize that many users find this way of entering music a bit
906 odd. For this reason, we have written extensive documentation to
907 help new users, beginning with @ref{Learning}. The Learning
908 Manual is the best place to start, as many questions are answered
911 Please read the Learning Manual before complaining about bugs!
912 New users occasionally believe that LilyPond is not working
913 correctly, when in fact it is working precisely as designed.
915 More in-depth information is available in @ref{Manuals}.
918 @subsubheading Easier editing environments
920 @imageClickable{lilykde-screenshot-small,png,
921 (click to enlarge),lilykde-screenshot,png,right}
923 LilyPond is primarily concerned with producing top-quality
924 engraved sheet music; creating a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
925 would distract us from this goal. However, there are other
926 projects aimed at making it easier to create LilyPond input files.
928 Some editing environments include syntax highlighting, automatic
929 command completion, and pre-made templates. Other programs
930 actually provide a GUI which allows direct manipulation of a
931 graphical score. For more information, see @ref{Easier editing}.
935 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
936 @subheading Where now?
938 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}. Still not
939 convinced? Read about @ref{Easier editing}.
945 @unnumberedsec Easier editing
948 @divClass{column-center-top}
949 @subheading LilyPondTool
951 @imageClickable{lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot-400wide,png,
952 (click to enlarge),lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot,png,right}
954 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
955 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
956 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
957 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
959 @uref{http://lilypondtool.organum.hu}
961 Created as a plugin for the
962 @uref{http://www.jedit.org,jEdit} text editor,
963 LilyPondTool is one of the most feature-rich text-based tools for
964 editing LilyPond scores. Its features include a Document Wizard
965 with lyrics support to set up documents easier, and embedded PDF
966 viewer with advanced point-and-click support.
970 @divClass{column-center-top}
971 @subheading Frescobaldi
973 @imageClickable{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,
974 (click to enlarge),frescobaldi-lilypond-editor,png,right}
976 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
977 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
979 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org}
981 Frescobaldi is a dedicated LilyPond music and text editor with a
982 built-in PDF previewer, a powerful score wizard and many editing
983 features. It is built on top of the KDE4 libraries and runs
984 currently on all flavours of Linux and other UNIX-like operating
989 @divClass{column-center-top}
992 @imageClickable{screenshot-denemo-small,png,
993 (click to enlarge),screenshot-denemo,png,right}
995 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
996 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
998 @uref{http://denemo.org}
1000 Denemo is a graphical editor which generates LilyPond source code,
1001 and also allows audio playback. It allows users to view the
1002 LilyPond source code in parallel to the graphical view. Extra
1003 LilyPond tweaks can be attached to notes, chords etc. and are stored
1004 with the Denemo file, so that users can continue to edit graphically.
1006 Moving the cursor in the LilyPond text moves the cursor in the graphical
1007 view, and any syntax errors in your LilyPond tweaks are highlighted in
1008 the text view when printed from there.
1010 @warning{Denemo officially supports an outdated Lilypond version 2.8.7,
1011 which lacks many of the features added since then. The Denemo developers
1012 are actively working to bring it up to our present stable version, 2.12.}
1015 @divClass{column-center-top}
1016 @subheading Text environment: Emacs and Vim
1018 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1019 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1020 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1021 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1023 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/}
1025 Emacs is a text editor with language-sensitive capabilities for
1026 many different computer languages. Emacs is a highly extensible
1027 editor and can be used as an Integrated Development Environment.
1028 There is a @q{lilypond mode} which supplies the language
1029 definitions for working with LilyPond source files. As well, one of
1030 our developers has written @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/
1031 lilypond/lyqi.html,lyqi}, an Emacs major mode.
1033 @uref{http://www.vim.org}
1035 Vim is a minimal text editor and is an extension of the older Unix
1036 @command{vi} editor. It is also extensible and configurable.
1038 As a general rule, if you are not already familiar with Emacs or
1039 Vim, then you would probably prefer to use a different editor for
1040 writing LilyPond input files.
1042 More information on setting up Emacs and Vim can be found in
1043 @rprogram{Text editor support}.
1047 @ignore these may not need to be here at all, as they are purely
1050 @divClass{column-center-top}
1054 @subsubheading Text environment: TexShop
1056 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1058 @uref{http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop}
1060 The TexShop editor for MacOS@tie{}X can be extended to run LilyPond,
1061 @command{lilypond-book} and @command{convert-ly} from within the editor,
1062 using the extensions available at:
1065 @uref{http://users.dimi.uniud.it/~nicola.vitacolonna/home/content/lilypond-scripts}
1068 @subsubheading TextMate
1070 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1072 There is a LilyPond bundle for TextMate. It may be installed by
1076 mkdir -p /Library/Application\ Support/TextMate/Bundles
1077 cd /Library/Application\ Support/TextMate/Bundles
1078 svn co http://svn.textmate.org/trunk/Bundles/LilyPond.tmbundle/
1084 @divClass{column-center-top}
1085 @subheading Other programs can export LilyPond code
1088 @subsubheading Score, tab and MIDI editors:
1092 @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com,Rosegarden}, an audio and
1093 MIDI sequencer, which also has a score editor for single-staff
1097 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd},
1098 is based on the @uref{http://cairographics.org, Cairo} library and
1099 has experimental export for LilyPond.
1102 @uref{http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/,TuxGuitar}, a multitrack
1103 tablature editor and player, provides a score view as well as tab,
1104 and can export to LilyPond.
1107 @uref{http://musescore.org,MuseScore} has incomplete LilyPond
1108 export but is being actively developed.
1111 @uref{http://canorus.org,Canorus} can also export to LilyPond, but
1112 is still beta-software. Testers are welcome, though.
1115 @uref{http://www.volny.cz/smilauer/rumor/rumor.html,Rumor}, a realtime
1116 monophonic MIDI to LilyPond converter.
1120 @subsubheading Algorithmic code generators
1125 @uref{http://strasheela.sourceforge.net, Strasheela} is @qq{a
1126 highly expressive constraint-based music composition system}.
1129 @uref{http://common-lisp.net/project/fomus/,FOMUS}, a LISP library
1130 to generate music notation from computer music software environments.
1135 @divClass{column-center-top}
1137 @subheading Other programs not being actively developed
1142 @uref{http://lilykde.googlecode.com/,LilyKDE} has been replaced by
1143 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as
1144 LilyKDE3 for KDE 3.5 and lilypond-KDE4 for KDE 4.1 only.
1147 @uref{http://noteedit.berlios.de,NoteEdit}, which imported
1148 @uref{http://www.musicxml.com/xml.html,MusicXML}, has been forked
1150 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}
1151 and @uref{http://canorus.org,Canorus}.
1155 @uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical
1156 note entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces
1164 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1165 @subheading Where now?
1167 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}.
1169 Still not convinced? Many composers, musicians, and conductors
1170 have learned how to write music in our input format. Experienced
1171 users even report that they can enter a full score in LilyPond
1172 faster than with a piano keyboard or mouse+GUI! Perhaps you would
1173 like to review the @ref{Features}, @ref{Examples}, or the
1174 @ref{Freedom} that LilyPond provides, or read about users'
1175 @ref{Productions} and @ref{Reviews}. In addition, our
1176 approach to the computational aesthetics of classical engraving is
1177 explained in our @ref{Background}.
1180 @subheading Legalese
1183 All logos and product images are copyright and trademark