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 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}
103 @subheading Excellent classical engraving
105 @imageFloat{flat-design,png,right}
107 LilyPond allows musicians to produce elegant sheet music that is
108 easy to read. Its developer community has spent thousands of hours
109 developing powerful music engraving software that results in beautifully
110 engraved music. All of LilyPond's style settings, font designs and
111 algorithms have been inspired by the finest hand-engraved music.
112 LilyPond output has the same strong, balanced and elegant look as the
113 best-engraved classical scores. This is further explained in our
119 @divClass{column-center-top}
120 @subheading Text input
122 @subsubheading Everything is explicit
124 LilyPond processes text input, which contains all information
125 about the @emph{content} of your score and can easily be read
126 by any human or another program. There are no obscure
127 settings hidden behind menu items and binary file storage.
129 Read more about this concept on @ref{Text input}.
132 @subsubheading Tweaks are robust and traceable
134 If you have to change anything in the layout this tweak will
135 also be explicitly visible in the input file in human-readable
136 form, so you will always be able to retrace what you've done.
137 If you should accidentally break anything you can easily revert
138 or modify any decision without being at the mercy of an
139 @emph{Undo} function.
142 @subsubheading Text files are failure- and future-proof
144 Text files are very robust against file corruption. And as they are
145 human-readable, you will always be able to interpret them even if
146 you don't have access to the programs that created them.
149 @subsubheading Manage your scores with version control
151 Text files are applicable to be managed by version control. Go
152 for it and experience infinite and selective undo/redo mechanisms
153 and the full development history of your scores. Version control
154 may also open up new (collaborative) workflows for you.
158 @divClass{column-center-top}
159 @subheading Usability
161 @imageFloat{lilypond-book,png,right}
164 @subsubheading Effective layout choices
166 Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the
167 formatting correct right from the start. It determines spacing by
168 itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform
169 layout. Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved
170 and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically!
173 @subsubheading Mix music and text
175 Put fragments of music into texts without cutting and pasting
176 pictures. Integrate music into @LaTeX{} or HTML seamlessly, or add
177 music to OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice with OOoLilyPond. Plugins are
178 also available to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and wikis, making
179 online collaboration possible.
182 @subsubheading Accessibility
184 Text-based input also makes score-writing possible for users with
185 severe physical disabilities. Dexterity-impaired users who are
186 unable to type or control a computer mouse can use
187 speech-recognition software to edit LilyPond files. Even users
188 who are totally blind can use screen-reading software to write
189 LilyPond files -- an impossible task in graphical-based
190 score-writing programs.
191 You can see a spectacular score on @ref{Examples}.
193 @subsubheading Editor diversity
195 Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users,
196 have written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing
197 LilyPond files faster and more effective; you are not tied to
198 a single user interface but can use different tools for different tasks.
199 You can even use a full-fledged LilyPond editor at home and use your
200 mobile phone's notepad app to edit the files on the go. For some examples,
201 see @ref{Easier editing}.
202 @c TODO: Change this when the new pages have been written and pushed
207 @divClass{column-center-top}
209 @subheading Extensible design
211 @subsubheading Easy management of style sheets
213 All layout settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical
214 taste. So you can easily write style sheets that change every aspect of
215 LilyPond scores' default appearance. As these are also written as text
216 and can be stored in separate files you can simply switch between two
217 stylesheets to produce scores with a completely different appearance or
219 You want to print a score on A4 paper and project it with a beamer,
220 one system per page? LilyPond's layout engine will effortlessly produce
221 both from the same input.
223 @subsubheading Add your own functions
225 If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in
226 scripting language Scheme, which can access LilyPond's layout
227 engine at the same level as LilyPond itself does, making it
228 a @emph{very} powerful tool.
229 Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the
230 comprehensive program reference manual.
232 @subsubheading Process scores programmatically
234 LilyPond input files can fully be edited or even generated by programs
235 and scripts. This can for example be used for algorithmical composition.
236 But you can also access the musical content for analysis, or manage
237 input fragments in a database. There are no limitations except your
241 @subsubheading Create new tools using LilyPond
243 As LilyPond isn't a monolithic GUI program but a command line tool it
244 can be used from within other applications too. This way it is possible
245 to equip tools like e.g. web applications with LilyPond's engraving
246 power. There already exist several online tools using LilyPond.
248 @c (TBD: Add a link to the new @ref{Applications} page.
253 @divClass{column-center-top}
255 @subheading Environment
257 @imageFloat{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,right}
261 @subsubheading Excellent support
263 LilyPond runs on all popular platforms: GNU/Linux, MacOS X, and
264 Windows. LilyPond comes with extensive documentation and hundreds
265 of example files. There is an active user community answering
266 questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, offering you friendly
267 help. The response time is usually very short, and often brillant
268 solutions to reported problems are developed. Thanks to the close
269 interaction with the development team such solutions are regularly
270 included in LilyPond itself.
271 Read more in @ref{Community}.
274 @subsubheading Free software
276 LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge! Yep - It's free. Get
277 it from the download page.
279 It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software. It comes with source
280 code, and permission to change and copy it. So, are you irritated
281 by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or
282 pay someone else to do it.
283 Read more on @ref{Freedom}.
286 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
287 @subheading Where now?
289 Still not convinced? Look at some specific @ref{Examples}. If you've
290 already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
297 @unnumberedsec Examples
299 LilyPond is a powerful and flexible tool for engraving tasks of
300 all kinds. Please browse our gallery of examples and be inspired!
304 @subsubheading Classical Music
306 This organ work by J.S. Bach is a fairly typical engraving project
309 @exampleImage{bach-bwv610}
313 @subsubheading Complex Notation
315 This example from @emph{Goyescas} by Enrique Granados shows some
316 of the more advanced features of typesetting, including kneed
317 beams, cross-staff stems, and voice-follow lines.
319 @exampleImage{granados}
323 @subsubheading Early Music
325 LilyPond also supports various types of ancient notation, such
326 as this passage of Gregorian chant.
328 @exampleImage{ancient-headword}
332 @subsubheading Modern Music
334 Contemporary composers find LilyPond well-suited to displaying
335 unusual notation. Here is an excerpt from Trevor Bača's
336 @emph{Čáry}, for unaccompanied bass flute.
343 @subsubheading Efficient, flexible creation of performance materials
345 Various performance materials can be created from the same source
346 code. This is an excerpt of @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/,
347 Nicolas Sceaux's} engraving of Handel's @emph{Giulio Cesare}, in
348 full score, piano-vocal reduction, and a violin part.
350 @exampleImage{sesto-full}
352 @exampleImage{sesto-piano}
354 @exampleImage{sesto-violin}
359 @subsubheading Tablature
361 LilyPond supports tablature notation, which can be customized to
362 suit any instrument that reads from tablature. The tablature
363 staff is generated automatically from notes entered for the 5-line
366 @exampleImage{tab-example}
370 @subsubheading Schenker Graphs
372 Standard output can be modified heavily. Here is an impressive
373 Schenkerian analysis, created by Kris Schaffer, for an article
374 in @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364 , Linux Journal}.
375 The colors have been added for better visibility.
377 @exampleImage{bach-schenker}
381 @subsubheading Vocal Music
383 LilyPond is excellent for vocal music of all kinds, from sacred
384 hymns to opera. Here is a medieval motet with slightly unusual
385 requirements. The tenor voice is written in a different meter
386 than the others, but must line up as if it were in the same meter.
387 LilyPond handles this most elegantly. Note also the incipits with
388 Vaticana style clefs, the slashed stems indicating plicated notes,
389 and the ligature braces above certain groups of notes.
391 @exampleImage{aucun-snippet}
395 @subsubheading Educational Applications
397 LilyPond is perfectly suited for educational purposes as well.
398 Here is an example of a simple counterpoint exercise.
400 @exampleImage{theory}
404 @subsubheading Popular Music
406 It is simple to create pop lead sheets with melody, lyrics,
407 chord names, and fretboards. In this example you see some of the
408 predefined fretboard diagrams, but these can be heavily customized
409 to suit nearly any situation.
415 @subsubheading Large Projects
417 LilyPond is excellent for large projects like operas or works for
418 full symphony orchestra, as well. In addition, the text-based
419 input provides greater accessibility -- this example was
420 contributed by Hu Haipeng, a blind composer.
422 @exampleImage{orchestra}
426 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
427 @subheading Where now?
429 Still not convinced? LilyPond is Free software, granting you
430 @ref{Freedom}. If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first
431 read about our @ref{Text input}.
436 @unnumberedsec Freedom
438 @divClass{column-center-top}
439 @subheading Free Software
441 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/, GNU} LilyPond is written and maintained
442 by a community of enthusiasts. It is published under the
443 @ref{GPL, GNU General Public License} and the @ref{FDL, GNU Free
444 Documentation License}, giving everybody the freedom to fix,
445 modify, and extend the program. Creating beautiful music should
446 not require hundreds of dollars of software!
450 @c @divClass{column-left-top}
452 @divClass{keep-bullets}
453 @subheading What are the benefits to users?
458 No cost: download and try it out! What do you have to lose?
461 Sharing: if you like the program, give a copy to your friends,
462 teachers, students, and colleagues!
465 Source available: if you are curious about how LilyPond creates
466 some notation, you can see exactly how it is done.
469 Extendible: you can add features, fix bugs, and change the
470 functionality. If you are not a programmer, you can hire somebody
473 This may not seem appealing to casual musicians, but the ability
474 to extend software can be highly valuable to serious composers,
475 companies, and academics.
478 Future safety: if a commercial company goes bankrupt, what happens
479 to any electronic music which depends on their products? This is
480 not a concern with LilyPond; even if the entire development team
481 quits (extremely unlikely), the program will still be legally
482 available for copying, modifications, and distribution.
491 @c @divClass{column-right-top}
493 @divClass{keep-bullets}
494 @subheading Why do LilyPond developers @qq{give away} their work for free?
496 Most of us view LilyPond development as a hobby or volunteer work.
497 So this question is really asking @qq{why do people volunteer}?
502 Fun: working towards a goal can be enjoyable, especially when you
506 Shared goals: we all want beautiful sheet music, but few people
507 have the expertise (and nobody has the time!), to create a program
508 which can handle all situations. By working together -- one
509 person improves the automatic beaming code, another person
510 improves the shape of slurs, and a third person writes
511 documentation explaining how to use these features -- we can
512 achieve our goal with only a fraction of the individual effort.
515 @qq{Gift culture}: the Free Software
516 movement has created many great software projects, such as
517 @uref{http://kernel.org/, GNU/Linux},
518 @uref{http://www.getfirefox.com/, Mozilla Firefox}, and
519 @uref{http://www.wesnoth.org/, Battle for Wesnoth}. Having
520 benefitted from these projects, some developers want to @qq{give
521 back} to the community.
524 Work experience: contributing to free software projects is a great way to
525 practice programming, documentation writing, documentation translation,
526 or design. This experience has helped some developers gain job offers
536 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
537 @subheading Where now?
539 Still not convinced? Read our extensive essay about our engraving
540 philosophy in @ref{Background}. If you've already decided to try
541 LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
546 @unnumberedsec Background
548 @divClass{column-center-top}
549 @subheading Background essay
551 We have an extensive essay describing computational aesthetics:
552 the art of creating beauty with a computer.
554 If you just want a quick introduction to LilyPond, the essay might
555 be too much material to read. If you would like to read it now,
556 please progress to @ref{Essay}.
559 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
560 @subheading Where now?
562 Still not convinced? Read about some of our users'
563 @ref{Productions} and sheet music. If you've already decided to
564 try LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
569 @unnumberedsec Productions
571 @divClass{column-left-top}
574 LilyPond engravings have been used for performances around the world.
577 @divClass{keep-bullets}
581 Joe Smeets created sheet music for the children's book @emph{Zing Mee}
582 (@emph{Sing along}) by Annie M.G. published by Querido -- ISBN
584 @uref{http://www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl/web/Boek.htm?dbid=18954&typeofpage=134707, www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl}; choir
585 rehearsal scores for the Dutch translation of Benjamin Britten's
586 @emph{Saint Nicolas} performed by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep} in
588 @uref{http://www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl/nl/voorstellingen/sint_nicolaas_leeft, www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl}; and is currently
589 working on the score and parts for an arrangement of Moussurgsky's
590 @emph{Boris Godounov} for wind quartet, piano and percussion. To be
591 performed in 2014, again by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep}.
594 A critical edition of Tommaso Traetta's @emph{Enea nel Lazio (1760)},
595 opera series with libretto by Vittorio Amedeo Cigna-Santi, in four
597 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1987651/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_1_4_, Part One}
598 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994533/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_2_4_, Part Two}
599 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994558/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_3_4_, Part Three}
600 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1996242/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_4_4_, Part Four}
602 @uref{http://unito.academia.edu/LucaRossettoCasel, Luca Rossetto Casel}
603 for his Ph.D. Thesis.
606 Mussorgsky's @emph{Pictures at an exhibition}, re-orchestrated and
607 conducted by @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} with
608 the @uref{http://www.junge-philharmonie-brandenburg.de/,
609 Junge Philharmonie Brandenburg}
610 on Oct 10 2011 and again on Apr 15-16 2012.
613 @uref{http://www.kierenmacmillan.info/, Kieren MacMillan}, composer and
614 musical director. His many, recent works include; @emph{Go Thy Way},
615 performed by the @uref{http://www.saltlakechoralartists.org/,
616 Salt Lake Choral Artists} in March 2012; The
617 @emph{Just Out of Reach Suite} performed
619 @uref{http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall/x1883873762/Music-duo-Chrysalis-to-perform-at-Marshall-University-on-Jan-19,
620 Chrysalis Duo} ; @emph{thrafsmata} performed in July 2011 by the
621 @uref{http://www.pnme.org/CurrentSeason/PreviousSeasons.html, Pittsburgh
625 @emph{Anonymous Student Compliment or Complaint}, by
626 @uref{http://www.mikesolomon.org, Mike Solomon}, winner chosen from among
627 172 entries from 22 countries of the
628 @uref{http://leftcoastensemble.org, 2011 Left Coast Composition Contest}.
629 Other works include, Norman (age 1) for clarinet solo, performed at the
630 @uref{http://emu.music.ufl.edu/fems_concerts.html, University of Florida}'s
631 Electroacoustic Music Festival (FEMF), October 2010.
634 A modern edition of the @emph{Serenata Erminia} by Alessandro Scarlatti,
635 edited by Thomas Griffin, Musicologist (Rome, Italy). Performed on 22
636 October 2010 in the Galleria of the Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano, Naples,
637 Italy. @uref{http://www.ascarlatti2010.net, Alessandro Scarlatti 2010},
638 in celebration of the composer's 350th birthday.
641 @uref{http://www.mercurybaroque.org, Mercury Baroque}'s performance of
642 Lully's @emph{Armide}, May 15-16, 2009, in Houston, Texas (engraving by
643 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
646 Instrumental excerpts from Rameau's @emph{Hippolyte et Aricie} at
647 St. James's Church in Manhattan, May 8, 2009, by Frederick Renz
648 and his ensemble @uref{http://www.earlymusicny.org/, Early Music
649 New York} (engraving by
650 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
653 @emph{Affaire étrangère}, an opera by
654 @uref{http://valentin.villenave.net/,Valentin Villenave}
655 to a French libretto by
656 @uref{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Trondheim, Lewis
657 Trondheim}, premiered February 1, 2009 at
658 @uref{http://www.orchestre-montpellier.com/, L'Opéra National de
659 Montpellier}, France.
667 @divClass{column-right-top}
668 @subheading Published sheet music
670 @divClass{keep-bullets}
674 @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/index.html, Mutopia Project},
675 over 1500 pieces of classical sheet music for free download, and
676 the main showcase of LilyPond scores.
678 @c don't make this "Mutopia" a link, since that looks silly.
680 @uref{http://etudeapp.com, Etude}, @qq{sheet music on steroids} is
681 an iPhone app which displays piano music engraved with LilyPond,
682 including many pieces from Mutopia. The app includes a virtual
683 piano keyboard showing which keys to press to help beginners learn
684 how to read sheet music.
687 @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing},
688 high-quality scores of sacred music, available for immediate
689 download or in traditional paper format.
692 @uref{http://www.shadylane.fr, The Shady Lane Publishing},
693 a @qq{micro musical publishing house} whose goal is to promote a
694 new form of musical economy closer to the musicians and music
703 @contactUsAbout{concerts or sheet music}
705 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
706 @subheading Where now?
708 Still not convinced? Read some of our users' @ref{Reviews}.
709 If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
713 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
714 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/testimonials
717 @unnumberedsec Reviews
719 @divClass{column-left-top}
720 @subheading Published articles
722 @divClass{keep-bullets}
728 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com,Linux Magazine} publishes an
730 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com/w3/issue/126/088-090_projects.pdf,
731 Projects on the Move}. It is an introductory article on MuseScore,
732 LilyPond and Chordii. Author Carla Schroder states @qq{LilyPond is
733 driven from the command line, but don’t let the lack of a GUI scare
734 you away; LilyPond is user-friendly and easy to learn}, and provides
740 Peter Kirn, on the Create Digital Music website, publishes a
741 @uref{http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/05/14/lilypond-free-beautiful-music-notation-engraving-for-anyone/,LilyPond
742 review}. He takes a balanced view on usage, praises LilyPond's
743 high-quality notation and suggests to try it out.
748 The German LinuxUser magazine wrote an
749 @uref{http://www.linux-community.de/Internal/Artikel/Print-Artikel/LinuxUser/2009/10/Digitaler-Notenschluessel,
750 article about LilyPond}.
756 @uref{http://www.polyphonic.org/article.php?id=188, Polyphonic.org}
757 website, presents comments by two orchestra librarians who
758 talk about using software to maintain their libraries.
763 In an @uref{http://news.lilynet.net/Free-Music-Now, article}
764 published in the French @emph{National Conservatory Parent
765 Association}'s yearly magazine, French composer and LilyPond
766 contributor Valentin Villenave explains how Free licenses, and
767 specifically LilyPond-engraved scores, are instrumental in
768 making written music accessible to all.
773 In @uref{http://www.musicbyandrew.ca/finale-lilypond-1.html,
774 articles on his personal site}, Andrew Hawryluk compares Finale
775 and LilyPond in general terms, and evaluates engraving
776 capabilities of both pieces of software in detail. The second
777 article is an instructive analysis of engraving issues in
778 Rachmaninoff's Piano Prelude No. 6, including comparisons with a
779 hand-engraved reference edition.
784 @uref{http://distrowatch.com,DistroWatch} awards LilyPond and
785 @uref{http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20060605,writes}
786 @qq{Ladies and Gentleman, we are pleased to announce that, based
787 on readers' requests, the DistroWatch May 2006 donation has been
788 awarded to LilyPond (@euro{}190.00) and Lua (US$250.00).}
793 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal} publishes an article
794 titled @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364, Make
795 Stunning Schenker Graphs with GNU LilyPond}. It is an in-depth
796 but hands-on feature article with crisp LilyPond graphics. Author
797 Kris Shaffer remarks @qq{GNU LilyPond generates beautiful graphics
798 that make commercial alternatives seem second-rate.}
803 The Belgian newspaper De Standaard investigates what drives Free
804 Software authors in an article titled
805 @uref{http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=G42H5GD6,
806 Delen van KENNIS zonder WINSTBEJAG} (Non-profit sharing of
807 knowlegde) in its @q{DS2 bijlage}. LilyPond is used as an example
808 and the article is interspersed with quotes from an email
809 interview with Jan Nieuwenhuizen. This marks LilyPond's first
810 appearance in mainstream printed press.
815 A French article on the LilyPond 2.6 release appeared on
816 @uref{http://linuxfr.org/2005/06/27/19210.html, linuxfr.org}.
821 The editors of Computer!Totaal, a Dutch computer magazine,
822 @uref{http://lilypond.org/website/pdf/computer-totaal.jpeg,
823 describe LilyPond} in the October 2004 issue as: @qq{Wonderful
824 free (open source) software [@dots{}] The sheet music produced by
825 LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [@dots{}] a very powerful system that
826 can do almost anything.}
831 Dave Phillips wrote an introductory article for
832 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal}: At
833 the sounding edge: LilyPond, parts
834 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7657, one} and
835 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7719, two}.
841 @uref{http://www.all-day-breakfast.com/cannam/linux-musician/lilypond.html,interviewed}
842 Han-Wen Nienhuys and Jan Nieuwenhuizen on linuxmusician.com
843 (original site defunct). This interview was also reviewed in a
844 @uref{http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/03/13/2054227&tid=,
850 Jazz singer Gail Selkirk writes about
851 @uref{http://www.songbirdofswing.com/editorial_page/lilypond/,
852 Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{@dots{} you can make lead sheets or full
853 orchestral parts, and the results can be stunning.}
854 @uref{http://www.computermusic.co.uk/, Computer Music Special},
863 @divClass{column-right-top}
864 @subheading User testimonials
866 @divClass{testimonial-item}
867 @imageFloat{carter-brey,jpg, right}
868 @subsubheading @uref{http://nyphil.org/meet/orchestra/index.cfm?page=profile&personNum=7, Carter Brey}, Principal Cellist, New York Philharmonic
870 @qq{@dots{} I've written a couple of encore pieces for solo cello
871 which I've printed with LilyPond and which I'm going to submit to
872 Schirmer for publication. I'll bet their engraved version wouldn't
873 look half as sharp as mine!}
877 @divClass{testimonial-item}
878 @imageFloat{orm-finnendahl,jpg, left}
879 @subsubheading @uref{http://icem-www.folkwang-hochschule.de/~finnendahl/, Orm Finnendahl}, professor of Composition, Musikhochschule Freiburg
881 @qq{Although I don't know [LilyPond] very well yet, I'm
882 @strong{*very} impressed. I used the program to input a motet of
883 Josquin Desprez in mensural notation and there's no doubt that
884 lilypond outscores all other notation programs easily concerning
885 speed, ease of use and look!}
889 @divClass{testimonial-item}
890 @imageFloat{darius-blasband,jpg, right}
891 @subsubheading Darius Blasband, composer (Brussels, Belgium)
893 @qq{[..after the first orchestra rehearsal] I got numerous
894 compliments about the quality of the scores. Even more
895 importantly, while LilyPond provides numerous hacks to improve the
896 way its scores look, what the orchestra got from me is basically
897 the raw, untouched output.}
901 @divClass{testimonial-item}
902 @subsubheading Kieren MacMillan, composer (Toronto, Canada)
904 @qq{thanks and kudos to the development team for their incredible
905 work. I've never seen anything approaching the output that I get
906 from LilyPond -- I'm totally confident that my music publishing
907 needs will be fulfilled beyond my expectations using this great
908 application. [@dots{}] basically untweaked LilyPond output
909 [@dots{}] looks better than most recent @q{professional}
910 publications I've compared it to (q.v., just about any Warner
911 Bros. score, and even many of the most recent by @q{the old
912 houses}). [@dots{}]} @qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!}
916 @divClass{testimonial-item}
917 @subsubheading Chris Cannam, lead programmer of the @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/, RoseGarden} project
919 @qq{LilyPond is obviously the zillion-ton gorilla [of great music
924 @divClass{testimonial-item}
925 @subsubheading Chris Snyder, @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing}
927 @qq{The way that music is entered for LilyPond causes me to think in a
928 more musical way -- there have been times when I've been stumped as
929 to how to tell Lily to engrave something, only to realize that
930 even if I did get it exactly as the composer wanted, the music
931 would be confusing to read. LilyPond makes it much easier for me
932 to work in my dual editor+engraver role.}
934 @qq{I've been using LilyPond exclusively for my fledgling music
935 publishing business. Virtually without exception, every composer
936 has been blown away by the quality of the engraving when presented
937 with the proofs of their music about to be published. I deserve
938 some of the credit for this -- I spend a lot of time tweaking
939 output, especially ties (mainly in chords) -- but LilyPond gives
940 me an excellent starting point, a very intuitive interface, and
941 the ability to modify absolutely anything if I want to take the
942 time. I'm convinced that no commercial product can come close.}
946 @divClass{testimonial-item}
947 @subsubheading David Bobroff, Bass Trombone, Iceland Symphony Orchestra
949 @qq{I think LilyPond is great [@dots{}] The more I learn about LilyPond
954 @divClass{testimonial-item}
955 @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})
957 @qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [@dots{}]}
959 @qq{THIS IS THE BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!}
961 @qq{Thank you all SO MUCH for your hard work and dedication!}
965 @divClass{testimonial-item}
966 @subsubheading @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}, @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/, Mutopia} contributor
968 @qq{I had a kind of hate-passion relationship with it. Passion
969 because the first score I saw was so amazing! The description of
970 LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [@dots{}] as
971 LilyPond is getting always better, and as I look closer how things
972 are done in scheme, I have less and less frustrations. Anyway,
973 what I mean is: thank you for providing LilyPond, it is really
978 @divClass{testimonial-item}
979 @subsubheading @uref{http://www.troff.org/whoswho.html#werner, Werner Lemberg}, Conductor at the Theatre in Koblenz, Germany and distinguished GNU Hacker
981 @qq{Anyway, LilyPond does an amazingly good job!}
985 @divClass{testimonial-item}
986 @subsubheading Paul Davis, developer of @uref{http://jackaudio.org/, JACK} and @uref{http://www.ardour.org/, Ardour}
988 @qq{I think [LilyPond is] an incredible program, and it produces
989 wonderful, wonderful output. when i read an interview about it
990 last year, i was raving to several friends of mine about its
995 @divClass{testimonial-item}
996 @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)
998 @qq{I have the deepest respect towards LilyPond and towards its creators
999 and maintainers as I know from personal experience how difficult this
1000 kind of software can be.}
1004 @divClass{testimonial-item}
1005 @subsubheading @uref{http://camerondh.blogspot.com, David Cameron}, Musician, professional typesetter and long time SCORE user
1007 @qq{My heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to this project. I
1008 was a power SCORE user for big typesetting houses way back in the '90s,
1009 but I feel LilyPond finally makes it possible for me to get exactly what
1010 I want on the page, especially when it isn't "standard" practice.}
1015 @contactUsAbout{news articles or testimonals}
1017 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1018 @subheading Where now?
1020 Read about our @ref{Text input}.
1026 @unnumberedsec Text input
1028 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
1029 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/howto
1031 @subheading @qq{Compiling} Music
1033 @imageClickable{nereid-shot-small,png, (click to enlarge), nereid-shot,png, right}
1035 LilyPond is a @emph{compiled} system: it is run on a text file
1036 describing the music. The resulting output is viewed on-screen or
1037 printed. In some ways, LilyPond is more similar to a programming
1038 language than graphical score editing software.
1040 You do not write music by dragging notes from a graphical toolbar
1041 and placing them on a dynamically refreshing score; you write
1042 music by typing text. This text is interpreted (or @qq{compiled})
1043 by LilyPond, which produces beautifully engraved sheet music.
1045 People accustomed to graphical user interfaces might need to learn
1046 a new way of working, but the results are definitely worth it!
1048 @warning{We present a quick overview of our text input -- it's not
1049 as complicated as it sounds! Don't worry about understanding
1050 every detail in these examples; our beginner documentation covers
1051 everything at a much more gradual pace.}
1054 @subsubheading It's as simple as A B C
1056 Notes are encoded with letters and numbers. Special commands are
1057 entered with backslashes.
1059 @imageFloat{text-input-1-annotate,png,center}
1060 @imageFloat{text-input-1-output,png,center}
1062 Alterations are made with different names: add @w{@code{-is}} for
1063 sharp, and @w{@code{-es}} for flat (these are Dutch note names, other
1064 languages are available). LilyPond figures out where to put
1067 @imageFloat{text-input-2-annotate,png,center}
1068 @imageFloat{text-input-2-output,png,center}
1071 @subsubheading Pop music
1073 Put chords and lyrics together to get a lead sheet:
1075 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-annotate,png,center}
1076 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-output,png,center}
1080 @subsubheading Orchestral parts
1082 The input file contains the notes of piece of music. Score and
1083 parts can be made from a single input file, so that changing a
1084 note always affects the score and parts. To be able to include
1085 the same music in multiple places, the music is assigned to a
1086 @qq{variable} (a name).
1088 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-both-annotate,png,center}
1091 This variable is then used in a single part (here transposed, with
1092 condensed rests spanning several measures):
1094 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-annotate,png,center}
1095 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-output,png,center}
1098 The same variable is used in the full score (here in concert
1101 @imageFloat{text-input-score-annotate,png,center}
1102 @imageFloat{text-input-score-output,png,center}
1105 @subsubheading Beginner Documentation
1107 We realize that many users find this way of entering music a bit
1108 odd. For this reason, we have written extensive documentation to
1109 help new users, beginning with @ref{Learning}. The Learning
1110 Manual is the best place to start, as many questions are answered
1111 before they come up!
1113 Please read the Learning Manual before complaining about bugs!
1114 New users occasionally believe that LilyPond is not working
1115 correctly, when in fact it is working precisely as designed.
1117 More in-depth information is available in @ref{Manuals}.
1119 Ben Lemon, a LilyPond user, has created a range of
1120 @uref{http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond/,video tutorials}
1121 on his blog and which are aimed at new users.
1124 @subsubheading Easier editing environments
1126 @imageClickable{lilykde-screenshot-small,png,
1127 (click to enlarge),lilykde-screenshot,png,right}
1129 LilyPond is primarily concerned with producing top-quality
1130 engraved sheet music; creating a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
1131 would distract us from this goal. However, there are other
1132 projects aimed at making it easier to create LilyPond input files.
1134 Some editing environments include syntax highlighting, automatic
1135 command completion, and pre-made templates. Other programs
1136 actually provide a GUI which allows direct manipulation of a
1137 graphical score. For more information, see @ref{Easier editing}.
1141 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1142 @subheading Where now?
1144 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}. Still not
1145 convinced? Read about @ref{Easier editing}.
1150 @node Easier editing
1151 @unnumberedsec Easier editing
1154 GNU policy forbids us from linking to non-Free software, so don't
1157 In particular, don't link to:
1158 - the LilyPond bundle for TextMate (a commercial editor for MacOS).
1162 @divClass{column-center-top}
1165 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1166 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1167 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1168 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1170 @uref{http://www.tunefl.com}
1172 With tunefl you can typeset your scores directly online
1173 without needing to install LilyPond locally. It allows
1174 trying out all the program's features using a convenient
1179 @divClass{column-center-top}
1180 @subheading LilyPondTool
1182 @imageClickable{lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot-400wide,png,
1183 (click to enlarge),lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot,png,right}
1185 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1186 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1187 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1188 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1190 @uref{http://lilypondtool.organum.hu}
1192 Created as a plugin for the
1193 @uref{http://www.jedit.org,jEdit} text editor,
1194 LilyPondTool is one of the most feature-rich text-based tools for
1195 editing LilyPond scores. Its features include a Document Wizard
1196 with lyrics support to set up documents easier, and embedded PDF
1197 viewer with advanced point-and-click support.
1201 @divClass{column-center-top}
1202 @subheading Frescobaldi
1204 @imageClickable{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,
1205 (click to enlarge),frescobaldi-lilypond-editor,png,right}
1207 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1208 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1209 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1211 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org}
1213 Frescobaldi is lightweight, yet powerful LilyPond music and text editor
1214 with a built-in PDF viewer. It is easy to use and will run on all major
1215 operating systems (GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows).
1219 @divClass{column-center-top}
1222 @imageClickable{screenshot-denemo-small,png,
1223 (click to enlarge),screenshot-denemo,png,right}
1225 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1226 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1228 @uref{http://denemo.org}
1230 Denemo is a graphical editor which generates LilyPond source code,
1231 and also allows audio playback. It allows users to view the
1232 LilyPond source code in parallel to the graphical view. Extra
1233 LilyPond tweaks can be attached to notes, chords etc. and are stored
1234 with the Denemo file, so that users can continue to edit graphically.
1236 Moving the cursor in the LilyPond text moves the cursor in the graphical
1237 view, and any syntax errors in your LilyPond tweaks are highlighted in
1238 the text view when printed from there.
1242 @divClass{column-center-top}
1243 @subheading Text editors
1245 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1246 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1247 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1248 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1250 @uref{http://elysium.thsoft.hu}
1252 Elysium is a LilyPond IDE for Eclipse with an integrated, side-by-side
1253 view for source and score. It includes rapid visual & auditive feedback
1254 without having to switch contexts, and comes with many wizard-driven
1257 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/}
1259 Emacs is a text editor with language-sensitive capabilities for
1260 many different computer languages. Emacs is a highly extensible
1261 editor and can be used as an Integrated Development Environment.
1262 There is a @q{lilypond mode} which supplies the language
1263 definitions for working with LilyPond source files. A developer
1264 has written @uref{https://github.com/nsceaux/lyqi,lyqi}, an Emacs major
1267 @uref{http://www.vim.org}
1269 Vim is a minimal text editor and is an extension of the older Unix
1270 @command{vi} editor. It is also extensible and configurable.
1272 As a general rule, if you are not already familiar with Emacs or
1273 Vim, then you would probably prefer to use a different editor for
1274 writing LilyPond input files.
1276 More information on setting up Emacs and Vim can be found in
1277 @rprogram{Text editor support}.
1279 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1280 @uref{http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop}
1282 The TexShop editor for MacOS@tie{}X can be extended to run LilyPond,
1283 @command{lilypond-book} and @command{convert-ly} from within the editor,
1284 using the extensions available at:
1287 @uref{http://users.dimi.uniud.it/~nicola.vitacolonna/home/content/lilypond-scripts}
1292 @divClass{column-center-top}
1293 @subheading Programs that can export LilyPond code
1296 @subsubheading Score, tab and MIDI editors:
1301 @uref{http://www.jezra.net/projects/bwwtolily,bwwtolily} attempts to
1302 convert a @code{.bww} or @code{.bmw} file to LilyPond. While not all of
1303 the embellishments may get converted properly (this is especially true
1304 with piobaireachd), the program will list them.
1307 @uref{http://www.canorus.org,Canorus}, a score editor, can also export
1308 to LilyPond, but is still beta-software. Testers are welcome, though.
1311 @uref{http://enc2ly.sourceforge.net/en/,Enc2ly} is a GNU/Linux program
1312 which converts an @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} music score into
1316 @uref{https://github.com/hanwen/go-enc2ly,go-enc2ly} is a Go tool that
1317 converts @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} files to LilyPond. It was
1318 created using Felipe Castro's research and reverse engineering by
1319 tweaking existing .enc files and loading them using the 4.55 demo
1323 @uref{http://www.musescore.org,MuseScore}, a score editor, has
1324 incomplete LilyPond export but is being actively developed.
1327 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd},
1328 a score editor based on the @uref{http://www.cairographics.org,Cairo}
1329 library, it has experimental support for exporting to LilyPond.
1332 @uref{http://www.holmessoft.co.uk/homepage/software/NWC2LY/index.htm,NW2LY}
1333 is a C# program which converts a NoteWorthy composer song into LilyPond.
1336 @uref{https://github.com/ciconia/ripple/blob/master/README.markdown,Ripple}
1337 is a program that helps create scores and parts, including a mode for
1338 mixing different musical works together in a single score or part.
1341 @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com,Rosegarden}, an audio and MIDI
1342 sequencer, which also has a score editor for single-staff editing.
1345 @uref{https://launchpad.net/rumor/,Rumor}, a realtime monophonic
1346 MIDI-to-LilyPond converter.
1349 @uref{http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/,TuxGuitar}, a multitrack tablature
1350 editor and player, includes a score viewer and can export to LilyPond.
1354 @subsubheading Algorithmic code generators
1359 @uref{http://www.projectabjad.org/,Abjad}, a
1360 @uref{http://www.python.org/,Python} API for Formalized Score Control
1361 designed to help composers build up complex pieces of LilyPond notation
1362 in an iterative and incremental way.
1365 @uref{http://common-lisp.net/project/fomus/,FOMUS}, (FOrmat MUSic) is a
1366 music notation tool for computer music composers. It is written in the
1367 Lisp programming language, and has been tested in a variety of
1368 interpreters. A C++ port is also available.
1371 @uref{http://strasheela.sourceforge.net/strasheela/doc/index.html,Strasheela},
1372 an environment built on top of the
1373 @uref{http://www.mozart-oz.org/, Mozart/Oz} constraint programming
1379 @divClass{column-center-top}
1381 @subheading Other programs not being actively developed
1386 @uref{http://lilykde.googlecode.com/,LilyKDE} has been replaced by
1387 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as LilyKDE3
1388 for KDE 3.5 and lilypond-KDE4 for KDE 4.1 only.
1391 @uref{http://noteedit.berlios.de,NoteEdit}, which imported
1392 @uref{http://www.makemusic.com/musicxml,MusicXML}, has been forked
1394 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}
1395 and @uref{http://canorus.org,Canorus}.
1399 @uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical
1400 note entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces
1408 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1409 @subheading Where now?
1411 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}.
1413 Still not convinced? Many composers, musicians, and conductors
1414 have learned how to write music in our input format. Experienced
1415 users even report that they can enter a full score in LilyPond
1416 faster than with a piano keyboard or mouse+GUI! Perhaps you would
1417 like to review the @ref{Features}, @ref{Examples}, or the
1418 @ref{Freedom} that LilyPond provides, or read about users'
1419 @ref{Productions} and @ref{Reviews}. In addition, our
1420 approach to the computational aesthetics of classical engraving is
1421 explained in our @ref{Background}.
1424 @subheading Legalese
1427 All logos and product images are copyright and trademark