+
+@item
+Lilypond's stencil commands have been simplified to allow for less code
+duplication and better height approximations of graphical objects. The
+following stencil commands have been eliminated:
+@itemize
+@item @code{beam}
+@item @code{bezier-sandwich}
+@item @code{bracket}
+@item @code{dashed-slur}
+@item @code{dot}
+@item @code{oval}
+@item @code{repeat-slash}
+@item @code{zigzag-line}
+@end itemize
+
+@item
+Flags are now treated as separate objects rather than as stem parts.
+@lilypond[fragment,quote,relative=2]
+\override Flag #'color = #red
+g8
+@end lilypond
+
+@item
+Two alternative methods for bar numbering can be set, especially for
+when using repeated music;
+
+@lilypond[fragment,quote,relative=1,noragged-right]
+\relative c'{
+ \set Score.alternativeNumberingStyle = #'numbers
+ \repeat volta 3 { c4 d e f | }
+ \alternative {
+ { c4 d e f | c2 d \break }
+ { f4 g a b | f4 g a b | f2 a | \break }
+ { c4 d e f | c2 d }
+ }
+ c1 \break
+ \set Score.alternativeNumberingStyle = #'numbers-with-letters
+ \repeat volta 3 { c,4 d e f | }
+ \alternative {
+ { c4 d e f | c2 d \break }
+ { f4 g a b | f4 g a b | f2 a | \break }
+ { c4 d e f | c2 d }
+ }
+ c1
+}
+@end lilypond
+
+@item
+The following is a fundamental change in LilyPond's music
+representation: Rhythmic events like @code{LyricEvent} and
+@code{NoteEvent} are no longer wrapped in @code{EventChord} unless they
+have been actually entered as part of a chord in the input. If you
+manipulate music expressions in Scheme, the new behavior may require
+changes in your code. Calling the music function @code{\eventChords} or
+the Scheme function @code{event-chord-wrap!} converts to the old
+representation; using one of those might be easiest for keeping legacy
+code operative.
+
+The advantages of making input and music match more closely are
+numerous: music functions previously worked differently when used inside
+or outside of chords. Now they are the same, including all the
+possibilities of argument parsing. You can now use music variables
+inside of chords: a construct like
+@lilypond[verbatim,quote,ragged-right]
+tonic=fis'
+{ <\tonic \transpose c g \tonic> }
+@end lilypond
+@noindent
+would have been unthinkable previously. You can use
+@code{#@{@dots{}#@}} for constructing chord constituents. Music
+functions inside of chords are no longer specially treated and thus
+accept the same arguments as outside of chords. @code{\tweak} now works
+on single notes without needing to wrap them in a chord. In theory, it
+can also work on command events and lyrics now. Since that was not
+possible before, it depends on luck on a case-by-case basis whether the
+tweak internals are already receiving the necessary information. Users
+are asked to report those cases where they find @code{\tweak} not
+working according to reasonable expectations.
+
+@item
+As one consequence, it was possible to reimplement the repetitive chord
+entry aid @code{q}. Repeated chords are now replaced right before
+interpreting a music expression. In case the user wants to retain
+some events of the original chord, he can run the repeat chord
+replacement function @code{\chordRepeats} manually.
+