1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
3 Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
5 When revising a translation, copy the HEAD committish of the
6 version that you are working on. For details, see the Contributors'
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11 @unnumbered Introduction
13 @divClass{column-center-top}
16 @imageFloat{flat-design,png,right}
18 LilyPond came about when two musicians wanted to go beyond the
19 soulless look of computer-printed sheet music. Musicians prefer
20 reading beautiful music, so why couldn't programmers write
21 software to produce elegant printed parts?
23 The result is a program that creates beautiful sheet music
24 following the best traditions of classical music engraving.
25 It takes care of the details of layout programmatically,
26 allowing composers, transcribers and publishers to focus
27 on the @emph{music} instead of improving their software's
28 default output. Performers will get parts that let them
29 concentrate on @emph{playing} music instead of @emph{reading} it.
34 @divClass{link-headings}
36 @divClass{column-left-top}
37 @subheading What LilyPond does
42 @ref{Features}: What can LilyPond do?
45 @ref{Examples}: I want to see some music!
48 @ref{Freedom}: LilyPond is Free Software.
51 @ref{Background}: Our computational aesthetics.
56 @divClass{column-right-top}
57 @subheading LilyPond in use
61 @ref{Productions}: Real-life use of LilyPond.
64 @ref{Reviews}: What do people say?
69 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
70 @subheading How LilyPond works
74 @ref{Text input}: You write music as @emph{text}?!
77 @ref{Easier editing}: Other ways of working with LilyPond.
84 @c TRANSLATORS, translations are not yet compiled in Info format, so
85 @c it's not worth translating the right column of the following
89 * Features:: What can LilyPond do?
90 * Examples:: I want to see some music!
91 * Freedom:: Freedom and the GPL.
92 * Background:: Computational aesthetics.
93 * Productions:: Real-life use of LilyPond.
94 * Reviews:: What do people say about it?
95 * Text input:: You write music as text?!
96 * Easier editing:: Other ways of working with LilyPond.
103 @unnumberedsec Features
104 @divClass{column-center-top}
107 @subheading Excellent classical engraving
109 @imageFloat{flat-design,png,right}
111 LilyPond allows musicians to produce elegant sheet music that is
112 easy to read. Its developer community has spent thousands of hours
113 developing powerful music engraving software that results in beautifully
114 engraved music. All of LilyPond's style settings, font designs and
115 algorithms have been inspired by the finest hand-engraved music.
116 LilyPond output has the same strong, balanced and elegant look as the
117 best-engraved classical scores. This is further explained in our
123 @divClass{column-center-top}
124 @subheading Text input
126 @subsubheading Everything is explicit
128 LilyPond processes text input, which contains all information
129 about the @emph{content} of your score and can easily be read
130 by any human or another program. There are no obscure
131 settings hidden behind menu items and binary file storage.
133 Read more about this concept on @ref{Text input}.
136 @subsubheading Tweaks are robust and traceable
138 If you have to change anything in the layout this tweak will
139 also be explicitly visible in the input file in human-readable
140 form, so you will always be able to retrace what you've done.
141 If you should accidentally break anything you can easily revert
142 or modify any decision without being at the mercy of an
143 @emph{Undo} function.
146 @subsubheading Text files are failure- and future-proof
148 Text files are very robust against file corruption. And as they are
149 human-readable, you will always be able to interpret them even if
150 you don't have access to the programs that created them.
153 @subsubheading Manage your scores with version control
155 Text files are applicable to be managed by version control. Go
156 for it and experience infinite and selective undo/redo mechanisms
157 and the full development history of your scores. Version control
158 may also open up new (collaborative) workflows for you.
162 @divClass{column-center-top}
163 @subheading Usability
165 @imageFloat{lilypond-book,png,right}
168 @subsubheading Effective layout choices
170 Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the
171 formatting correct right from the start. It determines spacing by
172 itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform
173 layout. Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved
174 and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically!
177 @subsubheading Mix music and text
179 Put fragments of music into texts without cutting and pasting
180 pictures. Integrate music into @LaTeX{} or HTML seamlessly, or add
181 music to OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice with
182 @uref{http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/en/project/OOoLilyPond,OOoLilypond}.
183 Plugins are also available to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and
184 wikis, making online collaboration possible.
187 @subsubheading Accessibility
189 Text-based input also makes score-writing possible for users with
190 severe physical disabilities. Dexterity-impaired users who are
191 unable to type or control a computer mouse can use
192 speech-recognition software to edit LilyPond files. Even users
193 who are totally blind can use screen-reading software to write
194 LilyPond files -- an impossible task in graphical-based
195 score-writing programs.
196 You can see a spectacular score on @ref{Examples}.
198 @subsubheading Editor diversity
200 Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users,
201 have written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing
202 LilyPond files faster and more effective; you are not tied to
203 a single user interface but can use different tools for different tasks.
204 You can even use a full-fledged LilyPond editor at home and use your
205 mobile phone's notepad app to edit the files on the go. For some examples,
206 see @ref{Easier editing}.
207 @c TODO: Change this when the new pages have been written and pushed
212 @divClass{column-center-top}
214 @subheading Extensible design
216 @subsubheading Easy management of style sheets
218 All layout settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical
219 taste. So you can easily write style sheets that change every aspect of
220 LilyPond scores' default appearance. As these are also written as text
221 and can be stored in separate files you can simply switch between two
222 stylesheets to produce scores with a completely different appearance or
224 You want to print a score on A4 paper and project it with a beamer,
225 one system per page? LilyPond's layout engine will effortlessly produce
226 both from the same input.
228 @subsubheading Add your own functions
230 If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in
231 scripting language Scheme, which can access LilyPond's layout
232 engine at the same level as LilyPond itself does, making it
233 a @emph{very} powerful tool.
234 Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the
235 comprehensive program reference manual.
237 @subsubheading Process scores programmatically
239 LilyPond input files can fully be edited or even generated by programs
240 and scripts. This can for example be used for algorithmical composition.
241 But you can also access the musical content for analysis, or manage
242 input fragments in a database. There are no limitations except your
246 @subsubheading Create new tools using LilyPond
248 As LilyPond isn't a monolithic GUI program but a command line tool it
249 can be used from within other applications too. This way it is possible
250 to equip tools like e.g. web applications with LilyPond's engraving
251 power. There already exist several online tools using LilyPond.
253 @c (TBD: Add a link to the new @ref{Applications} page.
258 @divClass{column-center-top}
260 @subheading Environment
262 @imageFloat{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,right}
266 @subsubheading Excellent support
268 LilyPond runs on all popular platforms: GNU/Linux, MacOS X, and
269 Windows. LilyPond comes with extensive documentation and hundreds
270 of example files. There is an active user community answering
271 questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, offering you friendly
272 help. The response time is usually very short, and often brillant
273 solutions to reported problems are developed. Thanks to the close
274 interaction with the development team such solutions are regularly
275 included in LilyPond itself.
276 Read more in @ref{Community}.
279 @subsubheading Free software
281 LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge! Yep - It's free. Get
282 it from the download page.
284 It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software. It comes with source
285 code, and permission to change and copy it. So, are you irritated
286 by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or
287 pay someone else to do it.
288 Read more on @ref{Freedom}.
291 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
292 @subheading Where now?
294 Still not convinced? Look at some specific @ref{Examples}. If you've
295 already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
302 @unnumberedsec Examples
304 @divClass{column-center-top}
306 @subheading Beautiful Examples
308 LilyPond is a powerful and flexible tool for engraving tasks of
309 all kinds. Please browse our gallery of examples and be inspired!
313 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
314 @subheading Classical Music
316 This organ work by J.S. Bach is a fairly typical engraving project
319 @exampleImage{bach-bwv610}
322 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
323 @subheading Complex Notation
325 This example from @emph{Goyescas} by Enrique Granados shows some
326 of the more advanced features of typesetting, including kneed
327 beams, cross-staff stems, and voice-follow lines.
329 @exampleImage{granados}
332 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
333 @subheading Early Music
335 LilyPond also supports various types of ancient notation, such
336 as this passage of Gregorian chant.
338 @exampleImage{ancient-headword}
341 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
342 @subheading Modern Music
344 Contemporary composers find LilyPond well-suited to displaying
345 unusual notation. Here is an excerpt from Trevor Bača's
346 @emph{Čáry}, for unaccompanied bass flute.
352 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
353 @subheading Efficient, flexible creation of performance materials
355 Various performance materials can be created from the same source
356 code. This is an excerpt of @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/,
357 Nicolas Sceaux's} engraving of Handel's @emph{Giulio Cesare}, in
358 full score, piano-vocal reduction, and a violin part.
360 @exampleImage{sesto-full}
362 @exampleImage{sesto-piano}
364 @exampleImage{sesto-violin}
368 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
369 @subheading Tablature
371 LilyPond supports tablature notation, which can be customized to
372 suit any instrument that reads from tablature. The tablature
373 staff is generated automatically from notes entered for the 5-line
376 @exampleImage{tab-example}
379 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
380 @subheading Schenker Graphs
382 Standard output can be modified heavily. Here is an impressive
383 Schenkerian analysis, created by Kris Schaffer, for an article
384 in @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364 , Linux Journal}.
385 The colors have been added for better visibility.
387 @exampleImage{bach-schenker}
390 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
391 @subheading Customized Output
393 A short excerpt from Stockhausen's Klavierstück II to demonstrate
394 LilyPond's ability to provide customised output.
396 @exampleImage{Stockhausen_Klavierstueck2}
399 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
400 @subheading Vocal Music
402 LilyPond is excellent for vocal music of all kinds, from sacred
403 hymns to opera. Here is a medieval motet with slightly unusual
404 requirements. The tenor voice is written in a different meter
405 than the others, but must line up as if it were in the same meter.
406 LilyPond handles this most elegantly. Note also the incipits with
407 Vaticana style clefs, the slashed stems indicating plicated notes,
408 and the ligature braces above certain groups of notes.
410 @exampleImage{aucun-snippet}
413 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
414 @subheading Educational Applications
416 LilyPond is perfectly suited for educational purposes as well.
417 Here is an example of a simple counterpoint exercise.
419 @exampleImage{theory}
422 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
423 @subheading Lead Sheets
425 It is simple to create lead sheets with melody, lyrics,
426 chord names, and fretboards. In this example you see some of the
427 predefined fretboard diagrams, but these can be heavily customized
428 to suit nearly any situation.
433 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
434 @subheading Large Projects
436 LilyPond is excellent for large projects like operas or works for
437 full symphony orchestra, as well. In addition, the text-based
438 input provides greater accessibility -- this example was
439 contributed by Hu Haipeng, a blind composer.
441 @exampleImage{orchestra}
444 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
445 @subheading Where now?
447 Still not convinced? LilyPond is Free software, granting you
448 @ref{Freedom}. If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first
449 read about our @ref{Text input}.
454 @unnumberedsec Freedom
456 @divClass{column-center-top}
457 @subheading Free Software
459 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/, GNU} LilyPond is written and maintained
460 by a community of enthusiasts. It is published under the
461 @ref{GPL, GNU General Public License} and the @ref{FDL, GNU Free
462 Documentation License}, giving everybody the freedom to fix,
463 modify, and extend the program. Creating beautiful music should
464 not require hundreds of dollars of software!
468 @c @divClass{column-left-top}
469 @divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
470 @divClass{keep-bullets}
471 @subheading What are the benefits to users?
476 No cost: download and try it out! What do you have to lose?
479 Sharing: if you like the program, give a copy to your friends,
480 teachers, students, and colleagues!
483 Source available: if you are curious about how LilyPond creates
484 some notation, you can see exactly how it is done.
487 Extendible: you can add features, fix bugs, and change the
488 functionality. If you are not a programmer, you can hire somebody
491 This may not seem appealing to casual musicians, but the ability
492 to extend software can be highly valuable to serious composers,
493 companies, and academics.
496 Future safety: if a commercial company goes bankrupt, what happens
497 to any electronic music which depends on their products? This is
498 not a concern with LilyPond; even if the entire development team
499 quits (extremely unlikely), the program will still be legally
500 available for copying, modifications, and distribution.
509 @c @divClass{column-right-top}
510 @divClass{column-center-middle-color3}
511 @divClass{keep-bullets}
512 @subheading Why do LilyPond developers @qq{give away} their work for free?
514 Most of us view LilyPond development as a hobby or volunteer work.
515 So this question is really asking @qq{why do people volunteer}?
520 Fun: working towards a goal can be enjoyable, especially when you
524 Shared goals: we all want beautiful sheet music, but few people
525 have the expertise (and nobody has the time!), to create a program
526 which can handle all situations. By working together -- one
527 person improves the automatic beaming code, another person
528 improves the shape of slurs, and a third person writes
529 documentation explaining how to use these features -- we can
530 achieve our goal with only a fraction of the individual effort.
533 @qq{Gift culture}: the Free Software
534 movement has created many great software projects, such as
535 @uref{http://kernel.org/, GNU/Linux},
536 @uref{http://www.getfirefox.com/, Mozilla Firefox}, and
537 @uref{http://www.wesnoth.org/, Battle for Wesnoth}. Having
538 benefitted from these projects, some developers want to @qq{give
539 back} to the community.
542 Work experience: contributing to free software projects is a great way to
543 practice programming, documentation writing, documentation translation,
544 or design. This experience has helped some developers gain job offers
554 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
555 @subheading Where now?
557 Still not convinced? Read our extensive essay about our engraving
558 philosophy in @ref{Background}. If you've already decided to try
559 LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
564 @unnumberedsec Background
566 @divClass{column-center-top}
567 @subheading Background essay
569 We have an extensive essay describing computational aesthetics:
570 the art of creating beauty with a computer.
572 This is interesting reading if you are interested in an in-depth
573 discussion of our fundamental ideas. Due to its volume the
574 essay is available as a "manual". If you would like to read
575 it now, please progress to @ref{Essay}. However, if you just
576 want a quick introduction to LilyPond, you might skip it for now.
579 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
580 @subheading Where now?
582 Still not convinced? Read about some of our users'
583 @ref{Productions} and sheet music. If you've already decided to
584 try LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
589 @unnumberedsec Productions
591 @divClass{column-center-top}
593 @subheading Productions using LilyPond
595 Here you can read about people who actually use LilyPond
596 in their productions, be it for performances of their
597 music or as published scores.
601 @divClass{column-left-top}
604 LilyPond engravings have been used for performances around the world.
607 @divClass{keep-bullets}
611 @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} has arranged a
612 version of Richard Strauss's @emph{Der Rosenkavalier} for four singers
613 and a chamber orchestra of thirteen players. This has been commissioned
614 by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra whose members will be the performers on
615 @uref{http://www.festspielhaus.de/veranstaltung/der-kleine-rosenkavalier-02-04-2015-1100/,April 2nd and 6th}
616 at the Festspielhaus, Baden-Baden, and on
617 @uref{http://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/konzerte/kalender/details/21070/,April 26th}
618 in the @emph{Philharmonie (großer Saal)}, Berlin. We are pleased to see
619 musicians of such reputation playing from LilyPond scores -- and they are
620 reportedly very happy with them.
622 Aurélien has also re-orchestrated @emph{Der Ring des Nibelungen} by Richard
624 @uref{http://www.rsb-online.de/content/concerts/new-season-1516/family-concerts-age-7-and-above/index_eng.html,100-minute version for children}.
625 Written for a standard symphony orchestra, but with a reduced cast of
626 singers, it was performed by the
627 @uref{http://www.rsb-online.de/,@emph{Radio-Sinfonieorchester Berlin}}
628 in April 2014 at the Atze Musiktheater, Berlin. The Conductor was Heiko
632 Joe Smeets created sheet music for the children's book @emph{Zing Mee}
633 (@emph{Sing along}) by Annie M.G. published by
634 @uref{http://www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl/, Querido}
635 -- ISBN 9789045106205;
636 choir rehearsal scores for the Dutch translation of Benjamin Britten's
637 @emph{Saint Nicolas} performed by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep} in
639 @uref{http://www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl/nl/voorstellingen/sint_nicolaas_leeft, www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl}.
640 He has also worked on the score and parts for an arrangement of
641 Moussurgsky’s @emph{Boris Godounov} for wind quartet, piano and
642 percussion which was performed in 2014, again by
643 @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep}.
646 A critical edition of Tommaso Traetta's @emph{Enea nel Lazio (1760)},
647 opera series with libretto by Vittorio Amedeo Cigna-Santi, in four
649 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1987651/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_1_4_, Part One}
650 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994533/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_2_4_, Part Two}
651 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994558/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_3_4_, Part Three}
652 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1996242/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_4_4_, Part Four}
654 @uref{http://unito.academia.edu/LucaRossettoCasel, Luca Rossetto Casel}
655 for his Ph.D. Thesis.
658 Mussorgsky's @emph{Pictures at an exhibition}, was re-orchestrated and
659 conducted by @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} with
660 the @uref{https://junge-philharmonie-brandenburg.de/,
661 Junge Philharmonie Brandenburg} in October 2011 and April 2012.
664 @uref{http://kierenmacmillan.info/, Kieren MacMillan}, composer and
665 musical director. His many, recent works include; @emph{Go Thy Way},
666 performed by the @uref{http://www.saltlakechoralartists.org/,
667 Salt Lake Choral Artists} in March 2012; The
668 @emph{Just Out of Reach Suite} performed
670 @uref{http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall/x1883873762/Music-duo-Chrysalis-to-perform-at-Marshall-University-on-Jan-19,
671 Chrysalis Duo} ; @emph{thrafsmata} performed in July 2011 by the
672 @uref{http://www.pnme.org/, Pittsburgh
676 @emph{Anonymous Student Compliment or Complaint}, by
677 @uref{http://www.mikesolomon.org, Mike Solomon}, winner chosen from among
678 172 entries from 22 countries of the
679 @uref{http://www.leftcoastensemble.org, 2011 Left Coast Composition Contest}.
680 Other works include, Norman (age 1) for clarinet solo, performed at the
681 @uref{http://arts.ufl.edu/academics/music/, University of Florida}'s
682 Electroacoustic Music Festival (FEMF), October 2010.
685 A modern edition of the @emph{Serenata Erminia} by Alessandro Scarlatti,
686 edited by Thomas Griffin, Musicologist (Rome, Italy). Performed on 22
687 October 2010 in the Galleria of the Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano, Naples,
688 Italy. @uref{http://www.ascarlatti2010.net, Alessandro Scarlatti 2010},
689 in celebration of the composer's 350th birthday.
692 @uref{http://www.mercuryhouston.org/, Mercury Baroque}'s performance of
693 Lully's @emph{Armide}, May 15-16, 2009, in Houston, Texas (engraving by
694 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
697 Instrumental excerpts from Rameau's @emph{Hippolyte et Aricie} at
698 St. James's Church in Manhattan, May 8, 2009, by Frederick Renz
699 and his ensemble @uref{http://www.earlymusicny.org/, Early Music
700 New York} (engraving by
701 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
704 @emph{Affaire étrangère}, an opera by
705 @uref{http://valentin.villenave.net/,Valentin Villenave}
706 to a French libretto by
707 @uref{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Trondheim, Lewis
708 Trondheim}, premiered February 1, 2009 at
709 @uref{http://www.orchestre-montpellier.com/, L'Opéra National de
710 Montpellier}, France.
718 @divClass{column-right-top}
719 @subheading Published sheet music
721 @divClass{keep-bullets}
725 @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/index.html, Mutopia Project},
726 over 1500 pieces of classical sheet music for free download, and
727 the main showcase of LilyPond scores.
729 @c don't make this "Mutopia" a link, since that looks silly.
731 @uref{http://etudeapp.com, Etude}, @qq{sheet music on steroids} is
732 an iPhone app which displays piano music engraved with LilyPond,
733 including many pieces from Mutopia. The app includes a virtual
734 piano keyboard showing which keys to press to help beginners learn
735 how to read sheet music.
738 @uref{https://twitter.com/adoromusic, Adoro Music Publishing},
739 high-quality scores of sacred music, available for immediate
740 download or in traditional paper format.
743 @uref{http://matthieujacquot.com/, The Shady Lane Publishing},
744 a @qq{micro musical publishing house} whose goal is to promote a
745 new form of musical economy closer to the musicians and music
754 @contactUsAbout{concerts or sheet music}
756 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
757 @subheading Where now?
759 Still not convinced? Read some of our users' @ref{Reviews}.
760 If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
764 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
765 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/testimonials
768 @unnumberedsec Reviews
770 @divClass{column-center-top}
771 @subheading What do people say about LilyPond?
776 @divClass{column-left-top}
777 @subheading Published articles
779 @divClass{keep-bullets}
785 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com,Linux Magazine} publishes an
787 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com/content/download/61706/482546/version/1/file/088-090_projects.pdf,
788 Projects on the Move}. It is an introductory article on MuseScore,
789 LilyPond and Chordii. Author Carla Schroder states @qq{LilyPond is
790 driven from the command line, but don’t let the lack of a GUI scare
791 you away; LilyPond is user-friendly and easy to learn}, and provides
797 Peter Kirn, on the Create Digital Music website, publishes a
798 @uref{http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/05/14/lilypond-free-beautiful-music-notation-engraving-for-anyone/,LilyPond
799 review}. He takes a balanced view on usage, praises LilyPond's
800 high-quality notation and suggests to try it out.
805 The German LinuxUser magazine wrote an
806 @uref{http://www.linux-community.de/Internal/Artikel/Print-Artikel/LinuxUser/2009/10/Digitaler-Notenschluessel,
807 article about LilyPond}.
813 @uref{http://www.polyphonic.org/article.php?id=188, Polyphonic.org}
814 website, presents comments by two orchestra librarians who
815 talk about using software to maintain their libraries.
820 In an @uref{http://web.archive.org/web/20110325004849/http://news.lilynet.net/Free-Music-Now, article}
821 published in the French @emph{National Conservatory Parent
822 Association}'s yearly magazine, French composer and LilyPond
823 contributor Valentin Villenave explains how Free licenses, and
824 specifically LilyPond-engraved scores, are instrumental in
825 making written music accessible to all.
830 In @uref{http://www.musicbyandrew.ca/finale-lilypond-1.html,
831 articles on his personal site}, Andrew Hawryluk compares Finale
832 and LilyPond in general terms, and evaluates engraving
833 capabilities of both pieces of software in detail. The second
834 article is an instructive analysis of engraving issues in
835 Rachmaninoff's Piano Prelude No. 6, including comparisons with a
836 hand-engraved reference edition.
841 @uref{http://distrowatch.com,DistroWatch} awards LilyPond and
842 @uref{http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20060605,writes}
843 @qq{Ladies and Gentleman, we are pleased to announce that, based
844 on readers' requests, the DistroWatch May 2006 donation has been
845 awarded to LilyPond (@euro{}190.00) and Lua (US$250.00).}
850 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal} publishes an article
851 titled @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364, Make
852 Stunning Schenker Graphs with GNU LilyPond}. It is an in-depth
853 but hands-on feature article with crisp LilyPond graphics. Author
854 Kris Shaffer remarks @qq{GNU LilyPond generates beautiful graphics
855 that make commercial alternatives seem second-rate.}
860 The Belgian newspaper De Standaard investigates what drives Free
861 Software authors in an article titled
862 @uref{http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=G42H5GD6,
863 Delen van KENNIS zonder WINSTBEJAG} (Non-profit sharing of
864 knowlegde) in its @q{DS2 bijlage}. LilyPond is used as an example
865 and the article is interspersed with quotes from an email
866 interview with Jan Nieuwenhuizen. This marks LilyPond's first
867 appearance in mainstream printed press.
872 A French article on the LilyPond 2.6 release appeared on
873 @uref{http://linuxfr.org/2005/06/27/19210.html, linuxfr.org}.
878 The editors of Computer!Totaal, a Dutch computer magazine,
879 @uref{http://lilypond.org/website/pdf/computer-totaal.jpeg,
880 describe LilyPond} in the October 2004 issue as: @qq{Wonderful
881 free (open source) software [@dots{}] The sheet music produced by
882 LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [@dots{}] a very powerful system that
883 can do almost anything.}
888 Dave Phillips wrote an introductory article for
889 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal}: At
890 the sounding edge: LilyPond, parts
891 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7657, one} and
892 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7719, two}.
898 @uref{http://www.all-day-breakfast.com/cannam/linux-musician/lilypond.html,interviewed}
899 Han-Wen Nienhuys and Jan Nieuwenhuizen on linuxmusician.com
900 (original site defunct). This interview was also reviewed in a
901 @uref{http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/03/13/2054227&tid=,
907 Jazz singer Gail Selkirk writes about
908 @uref{http://www.songbirdofswing.com/editorial_page/lilypond/,
909 Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{@dots{} you can make lead sheets or full
910 orchestral parts, and the results can be stunning.}
911 @uref{http://www.computermusic.co.uk/, Computer Music Special},
920 @divClass{column-right-top}
921 @subheading User testimonials
923 @divClass{testimonial-item}
924 @imageFloat{carter-brey,jpg, right}
925 @subsubheading @uref{http://nyphil.org/meet/orchestra/index.cfm?page=profile&personNum=7, Carter Brey}, Principal Cellist, New York Philharmonic
927 @qq{@dots{} I've written a couple of encore pieces for solo cello
928 which I've printed with LilyPond and which I'm going to submit to
929 Schirmer for publication. I'll bet their engraved version wouldn't
930 look half as sharp as mine!}
934 @divClass{testimonial-item}
935 @imageFloat{orm-finnendahl,jpg, left}
936 @subsubheading @uref{http://icem-www.folkwang-hochschule.de/~finnendahl/, Orm Finnendahl}, professor of Composition, Musikhochschule Freiburg
938 @qq{Although I don't know [LilyPond] very well yet, I'm
939 @strong{*very} impressed. I used the program to input a motet of
940 Josquin Desprez in mensural notation and there's no doubt that
941 lilypond outscores all other notation programs easily concerning
942 speed, ease of use and look!}
946 @divClass{testimonial-item}
947 @imageFloat{darius-blasband,jpg, right}
948 @subsubheading Darius Blasband, composer (Brussels, Belgium)
950 @qq{[..after the first orchestra rehearsal] I got numerous
951 compliments about the quality of the scores. Even more
952 importantly, while LilyPond provides numerous hacks to improve the
953 way its scores look, what the orchestra got from me is basically
954 the raw, untouched output.}
958 @divClass{testimonial-item}
959 @subsubheading Kieren MacMillan, composer (Toronto, Canada)
961 @qq{thanks and kudos to the development team for their incredible
962 work. I've never seen anything approaching the output that I get
963 from LilyPond -- I'm totally confident that my music publishing
964 needs will be fulfilled beyond my expectations using this great
965 application. [@dots{}] basically untweaked LilyPond output
966 [@dots{}] looks better than most recent @q{professional}
967 publications I've compared it to (q.v., just about any Warner
968 Bros. score, and even many of the most recent by @q{the old
969 houses}). [@dots{}]} @qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!}
973 @divClass{testimonial-item}
974 @subsubheading Chris Cannam, lead programmer of the @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/, RoseGarden} project
976 @qq{LilyPond is obviously the zillion-ton gorilla [of great music
981 @divClass{testimonial-item}
982 @subsubheading Chris Snyder, @uref{https://twitter.com/adoromusic, Adoro Music Publishing}
984 @qq{The way that music is entered for LilyPond causes me to think in a
985 more musical way -- there have been times when I've been stumped as
986 to how to tell Lily to engrave something, only to realize that
987 even if I did get it exactly as the composer wanted, the music
988 would be confusing to read. LilyPond makes it much easier for me
989 to work in my dual editor+engraver role.}
991 @qq{I've been using LilyPond exclusively for my fledgling music
992 publishing business. Virtually without exception, every composer
993 has been blown away by the quality of the engraving when presented
994 with the proofs of their music about to be published. I deserve
995 some of the credit for this -- I spend a lot of time tweaking
996 output, especially ties (mainly in chords) -- but LilyPond gives
997 me an excellent starting point, a very intuitive interface, and
998 the ability to modify absolutely anything if I want to take the
999 time. I'm convinced that no commercial product can come close.}
1003 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1004 @subsubheading David Bobroff, Bass Trombone, Iceland Symphony Orchestra
1006 @qq{I think LilyPond is great [@dots{}] The more I learn about LilyPond
1007 the more I like it!}
1011 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1012 @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})
1014 @qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [@dots{}]}
1016 @qq{THIS IS THE BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!}
1018 @qq{Thank you all SO MUCH for your hard work and dedication!}
1022 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1023 @subsubheading @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}, @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/, Mutopia} contributor
1025 @qq{I had a kind of hate-passion relationship with it. Passion
1026 because the first score I saw was so amazing! The description of
1027 LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [@dots{}] as
1028 LilyPond is getting always better, and as I look closer how things
1029 are done in scheme, I have less and less frustrations. Anyway,
1030 what I mean is: thank you for providing LilyPond, it is really
1035 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1036 @subsubheading @uref{http://www.troff.org/whoswho.html#werner, Werner Lemberg}, Conductor at the Theatre in Koblenz, Germany and distinguished GNU Hacker
1038 @qq{Anyway, LilyPond does an amazingly good job!}
1042 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1043 @subsubheading Paul Davis, developer of @uref{http://jackaudio.org/, JACK} and @uref{http://www.ardour.org/, Ardour}
1045 @qq{I think [LilyPond is] an incredible program, and it produces
1046 wonderful, wonderful output. when i read an interview about it
1047 last year, i was raving to several friends of mine about its
1052 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1053 @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)
1055 @qq{I have the deepest respect towards LilyPond and towards its creators
1056 and maintainers as I know from personal experience how difficult this
1057 kind of software can be.}
1061 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1062 @subsubheading @uref{http://camerondh.blogspot.com, David Cameron}, Musician, professional typesetter and long time SCORE user
1064 @qq{My heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to this project. I
1065 was a power SCORE user for big typesetting houses way back in the '90s,
1066 but I feel LilyPond finally makes it possible for me to get exactly what
1067 I want on the page, especially when it isn't "standard" practice.}
1072 @contactUsAbout{news articles or testimonals}
1074 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1075 @subheading Where now?
1077 Read about our @ref{Text input}.
1083 @unnumberedsec Text input
1085 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
1086 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/howto
1088 @divClass{column-center-top}
1089 @subheading @qq{Compiling} Music
1091 @imageClickable{nereid-shot-small,png, (click to enlarge), nereid-shot,png, right}
1093 LilyPond is a @emph{compiled} system: it is run on a text file
1094 describing the music. The resulting output is viewed on-screen or
1095 printed. In some ways, LilyPond is more similar to a programming
1096 language than graphical score editing software.
1098 You do not write music by dragging notes from a graphical toolbar
1099 and placing them on a dynamically refreshing score; you write
1100 music by typing text. This text is interpreted (or @qq{compiled})
1101 by LilyPond, which produces beautifully engraved sheet music.
1103 People accustomed to graphical user interfaces might need to learn
1104 a new way of working, but the results are definitely worth it!
1106 @warning{We present a quick overview of our text input -- it's not
1107 as complicated as it sounds! Don't worry about understanding
1108 every detail in these examples; our beginner documentation covers
1109 everything at a much more gradual pace.}
1112 @subsubheading It's as simple as A B C
1114 Notes are encoded with letters and numbers. Special commands are
1115 entered with backslashes.
1117 @imageFloat{text-input-1-annotate,png,center}
1118 @imageFloat{text-input-1-output,png,center}
1120 Alterations are made with different names: add @w{@code{-is}} for
1121 sharp, and @w{@code{-es}} for flat (these are Dutch note names, other
1122 languages are available). LilyPond figures out where to put
1125 @imageFloat{text-input-2-annotate,png,center}
1126 @imageFloat{text-input-2-output,png,center}
1129 @subsubheading Pop music
1131 Put chords and lyrics together to get a lead sheet:
1133 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-annotate,png,center}
1134 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-output,png,center}
1138 @subsubheading Orchestral parts
1140 The input file contains the notes of piece of music. Score and
1141 parts can be made from a single input file, so that changing a
1142 note always affects the score and parts. To be able to include
1143 the same music in multiple places, the music is assigned to a
1144 @qq{variable} (a name).
1146 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-both-annotate,png,center}
1149 This variable is then used in a single part (here transposed, with
1150 condensed rests spanning several measures):
1152 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-annotate,png,center}
1153 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-output,png,center}
1156 The same variable is used in the full score (here in concert
1159 @imageFloat{text-input-score-annotate,png,center}
1160 @imageFloat{text-input-score-output,png,center}
1163 @subsubheading Beginner Documentation
1165 We realize that many users find this way of entering music a bit
1166 odd. For this reason, we have written extensive documentation to
1167 help new users, beginning with @ref{Learning}. The Learning
1168 Manual is the best place to start, as many questions are answered
1169 before they come up!
1171 Occasionally new users are unnecessarily confused by some aspects
1172 of LilyPond's behaviour. Please read this manual before doubting
1173 whether LilyPond is working correctly.
1175 More in-depth information is available in @ref{Manuals}.
1177 Ben Lemon, a LilyPond user, has created a range of
1178 @uref{http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond/,video tutorials}
1179 on his blog and which are aimed at new users.
1182 @subsubheading Easier editing environments
1184 @imageClickable{lilykde-screenshot-small,png,
1185 (click to enlarge),lilykde-screenshot,png,right}
1187 LilyPond is primarily concerned with producing top-quality
1188 engraved sheet music; creating a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
1189 would distract us from this goal. However, there are other
1190 projects aimed at making it easier to create LilyPond input files.
1192 Some editing environments include syntax highlighting, automatic
1193 command completion, and pre-made templates. Other programs
1194 actually provide a GUI which allows direct manipulation of a
1195 graphical score. For more information, see @ref{Easier editing}.
1199 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1200 @subheading Where now?
1202 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}. Still not
1203 convinced? Read about @ref{Easier editing}.
1208 @node Easier editing
1209 @unnumberedsec Easier editing
1212 GNU policy forbids us from linking to non-Free software, so don't
1215 In particular, don't link to:
1216 - the LilyPond bundle for TextMate (a commercial editor for MacOS).
1220 @divClass{column-center-top}
1221 @subheading Front-end Applications
1222 @subsubheading Frescobaldi
1224 @imageClickable{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,
1225 (click to enlarge),frescobaldi-lilypond-editor,png,right}
1227 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1228 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1229 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1231 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org}
1233 Frescobaldi is a lightweight, yet powerful, music and text editor
1234 with many features added and enhanced particularly for LilyPond. Major
1235 features include point-and-click links between the code and music views,
1236 detailed score wizards, built in LilyPond documentation browser, syntax
1237 highlighting and automatic completion. Frescobaldi is written in
1238 Python, with PyQt4 for its user interface, and will run on all major
1239 operating systems (GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows).
1241 @subsubheading Denemo
1243 @imageClickable{screenshot-denemo-small,png,
1244 (click to enlarge),screenshot-denemo,png,right}
1246 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1247 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1248 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1250 @uref{http://denemo.org}
1252 Denemo is a graphical editor which generates LilyPond source code,
1253 and also allows audio playback. It allows users to view the
1254 LilyPond source code in parallel to the graphical view. Extra
1255 LilyPond tweaks can be attached to notes, chords etc. and are stored
1256 with the Denemo file, so that users can continue to edit graphically.
1258 Moving the cursor in the LilyPond text moves the cursor in the graphical
1259 view, and any syntax errors in your LilyPond tweaks are highlighted in
1260 the text view when printed from there.
1264 @divClass{column-center-top}
1265 @subheading Browser-based editors
1267 @subsubheading LilyBin
1268 @uref{http://lilybin.com}
1270 A web-based LilyPond editor where you can typeset your scores directly
1271 online without needing to install LilyPond.
1273 @subsubheading Tunefl
1274 @uref{http://www.tunefl.com}
1276 With tunefl, you can typeset your mini-scores directly online without
1277 needing to install LilyPond locally. It allows trying out all the
1278 program's features using a convenient web interface.
1282 @divClass{column-center-top}
1283 @subheading IDE Plug-ins
1285 @subsubheading Elysium
1287 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1288 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1289 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1290 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1292 @uref{http://elysium.thsoft.hu}
1294 Elysium is a LilyPond IDE for Eclipse with an integrated, side-by-side
1295 view for source and score. It includes rapid visual & auditive feedback
1296 without having to switch contexts, and comes with many wizard-driven
1301 @divClass{column-center-top}
1302 @subheading Text editors
1304 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1305 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1306 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1307 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1309 @subsubheading Emacs
1310 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/}
1311 Emacs is a text editor with language-sensitive capabilities for many
1312 different computer languages. Emacs is a highly extensible editor and
1313 can be used as an Integrated Development Environment. There is a
1314 @q{lilypond mode} which supplies the language definitions for working
1315 with LilyPond source files. A developer has written
1316 @uref{https://github.com/nsceaux/lyqi,lyqi}, an Emacs major mode.
1318 If you are not already familiar with Emacs then you may probably prefer
1319 to use a different editor for writing LilyPond input files.
1321 More information on setting up Emacs can be found in
1322 @rprogram{Text editor support}.
1325 @uref{http://www.vim.org}
1326 Vim is a minimal text editor and is an extension of the older Unix
1327 @command{vi} editor. It is also extensible and configurable.
1329 If you are not already familiar with Vi then you may probably prefer
1330 to use a different editor for writing LilyPond input files.
1332 More information on setting up Vim can be found in
1333 @rprogram{Text editor support}.
1335 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1336 @subsubheading TeXShop
1337 @uref{http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop}
1339 The TeXShop editor for MacOS@tie{}X can be extended to run LilyPond,
1340 @command{lilypond-book} and @command{convert-ly} from within the editor,
1341 using the extensions available at:
1344 @uref{http://users.dimi.uniud.it/~nicola.vitacolonna/home/content/lilypond-scripts}
1349 @divClass{column-center-top}
1350 @subheading Other programs that can export LilyPond code
1352 @subsubheading Score, tab and MIDI editors:
1357 @uref{http://www.jezra.net/projects/bwwtolily,bwwtolily} attempts to
1358 convert a @code{.bww} or @code{.bmw} file to LilyPond. While not all of
1359 the embellishments may get converted properly (this is especially true
1360 with piobaireachd), the program will list them.
1363 @uref{http://www.canorus.org,Canorus}, a score editor, can also export
1364 to LilyPond, but is still beta-software. Testers are welcome, though.
1367 @uref{http://enc2ly.sourceforge.net/en/,Enc2ly} is a GNU/Linux program
1368 which converts an Encore music score into a LilyPond one.
1371 @uref{https://github.com/hanwen/go-enc2ly,go-enc2ly} is a Go tool that
1372 converts Encore files to LilyPond. It was created using Felipe Castro's
1373 research and reverse engineering by tweaking existing .enc files and
1374 loading them using the 4.55 demo version.
1377 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd},
1378 a score editor based on the @uref{http://www.cairographics.org,Cairo}
1379 library, it has experimental support for exporting to LilyPond.
1382 @uref{http://www.holmessoft.co.uk/homepage/software/NWC2LY/index.htm,NW2LY}
1383 is a C# program which converts a NoteWorthy composer song into LilyPond.
1386 @uref{https://github.com/ciconia/ripple/blob/master/README.markdown,Ripple}
1387 is a program that helps create scores and parts, including a mode for
1388 mixing different musical works together in a single score or part.
1391 @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com,Rosegarden}, an audio and MIDI
1392 sequencer, which also has a score editor for single-staff editing.
1396 @subsubheading Algorithmic code generators
1401 @uref{http://www.projectabjad.org/,Abjad}, a
1402 @uref{http://www.python.org/,Python} API for Formalized Score Control
1403 designed to help composers build up complex pieces of LilyPond notation
1404 in an iterative and incremental way.
1407 @uref{http://common-lisp.net/project/fomus/,FOMUS}, (FOrmat MUSic) is a
1408 music notation tool for computer music composers. It is written in the
1409 Lisp programming language, and has been tested in a variety of
1410 interpreters. A C++ port is also available.
1413 @uref{http://strasheela.sourceforge.net/strasheela/doc/index.html,Strasheela},
1414 an environment built on top of the
1415 @uref{http://www.mozart-oz.org/, Mozart/Oz} constraint programming
1421 @divClass{column-center-top}
1423 @subheading Other programs no longer being actively developed
1428 @uref{https://sourceforge.net/projects/lily4jedit,LilyPondTool} was
1429 created as a plugin for the @uref{http://www.jedit.org,jEdit} text
1433 @uref{http://lilykde.googlecode.com/,LilyKDE} has been replaced by
1434 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as LilyKDE3
1435 for KDE 3.5 and lilypond-KDE4 for KDE 4.1 only.
1438 @uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical note
1439 entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces LilyPond
1443 @uref{http://www.musescore.org,MuseScore}, a score editor. LilyPond
1444 export was dropped in version 2.0 but earlier versions are still
1445 available for download at
1446 @uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/mscore/files/mscore/,Sourceforge}.
1449 @uref{https://sourceforge.net/projects/noteedit.berlios/,NoteEdit}, which imported
1450 @uref{http://www.makemusic.com/musicxml,MusicXML}, has been forked into
1451 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}
1452 and @uref{http://canorus.org,Canorus}.
1455 @uref{http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/en/project/OOoLilyPond,OOoLilypond},
1456 an OpenOffice.org extension that converts LilyPond files into images
1457 within OpenOffice.org documents. Although this is no longer being
1458 developed, it appears to still work with version 4.
1461 @uref{https://launchpad.net/rumor/,Rumor}, a realtime monophonic
1462 MIDI-to-LilyPond converter.
1465 @uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/tuxguitar/,TuxGuitar}, a
1466 multitrack tablature editor and player, includes a score viewer and can
1474 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1475 @subheading Where now?
1477 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}.
1479 Still not convinced? Many composers, musicians, and conductors
1480 have learned how to write music in our input format. Experienced
1481 users even report that they can enter a full score in LilyPond
1482 faster than with a piano keyboard or mouse+GUI! Perhaps you would
1483 like to review the @ref{Features}, @ref{Examples}, or the
1484 @ref{Freedom} that LilyPond provides, or read about users'
1485 @ref{Productions} and @ref{Reviews}. In addition, our
1486 approach to the computational aesthetics of classical engraving is
1487 explained in our @ref{Background}.
1492 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1493 @subheading Legalese
1496 All logos and product images are copyright and trademark