LilyPond is a powerful and flexible tool for engraving tasks of
all kinds. Please browse our gallery of examples and be inspired!
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Classical Music
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Classical Music
This organ work by J.S. Bach is a fairly typical engraving project
in LilyPond.
@exampleImage{bach-bwv610}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Complex Notation
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Complex Notation
This example from @emph{Goyescas} by Enrique Granados shows some
of the more advanced features of typesetting, including kneed
beams, cross-staff stems, and voice-follow lines.
@exampleImage{granados}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Early Music
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Early Music
LilyPond also supports various types of ancient notation, such
as this passage of Gregorian chant.
@exampleImage{ancient-headword}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Modern Music
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Modern Music
Contemporary composers find LilyPond well-suited to displaying
unusual notation. Here is an excerpt from Trevor Bača's
@emph{Čáry}, for unaccompanied bass flute.
@exampleImage{cary}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Efficient, flexible creation of performance materials
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Efficient, flexible creation of performance materials
Various performance materials can be created from the same source
code. This is an excerpt of @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/,
@exampleImage{sesto-violin}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Tablature
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Tablature
LilyPond supports tablature notation, which can be customized to
suit any instrument that reads from tablature. The tablature
staff.
@exampleImage{tab-example}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Schenker Graphs
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Schenker Graphs
Standard output can be modified heavily. Here is an impressive
Schenkerian analysis, created by Kris Schaffer, for an article
The colors have been added for better visibility.
@exampleImage{bach-schenker}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Customized Output
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Customized Output
A short excerpt from Stockhausen's Klavierstück II to demonstrate
Lilypond's ability to provide customised output.
@exampleImage{Stockhausen_Klavierstueck2}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Vocal Music
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Vocal Music
LilyPond is excellent for vocal music of all kinds, from sacred
hymns to opera. Here is a medieval motet with slightly unusual
and the ligature braces above certain groups of notes.
@exampleImage{aucun-snippet}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Educational Applications
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Educational Applications
LilyPond is perfectly suited for educational purposes as well.
Here is an example of a simple counterpoint exercise.
@exampleImage{theory}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Popular Music
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Popular Music
It is simple to create pop lead sheets with melody, lyrics,
chord names, and fretboards. In this example you see some of the
to suit nearly any situation.
@exampleImage{chart}
-@newsEnd
+@divEnd
-@newsItem
-@subsubheading Large Projects
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
+@subheading Large Projects
LilyPond is excellent for large projects like operas or works for
full symphony orchestra, as well. In addition, the text-based
contributed by Hu Haipeng, a blind composer.
@exampleImage{orchestra}
-@newsEnd
-
@divEnd
@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@c @divClass{column-left-top}
-@divClass{color2}
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color2}
@divClass{keep-bullets}
@subheading What are the benefits to users?
@c @divClass{column-right-top}
-@divClass{color3}
+@divClass{column-center-middle-color3}
@divClass{keep-bullets}
@subheading Why do LilyPond developers @qq{give away} their work for free?
@itemize
@item
-@uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} has re-orchestrated
-@emph{Der Ring des Nibelungen} by Richard Wagner to a
+@uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} has arranged a
+version of Richard Strauss's @emph{Der Rosenkavalier} for four singers
+and a chamber orchestra of thirteen players. This has been commissioned
+by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra whose members will be the performers on
+@uref{http://www.festspielhaus.de/veranstaltung/der-kleine-rosenkavalier-02-04-2015-1100/,April 2nd and 6th}
+at the Festspielhaus, Baden-Baden, and on
+@uref{http://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/konzerte/kalender/details/21070/,April 26th}
+in the @emph{Philharmonie (großer Saal)}, Berlin. We are pleased to see
+musicians of such reputation playing from LilyPond scores -- and they are
+reportedly very happy with them.
+
+Aurélien has also re-orchestrated @emph{Der Ring des Nibelungen} by Richard
+Wagner to a
@uref{http://www.rsb-online.de/content/konzerte/wagnerzyklus-10-13/wagner-fuer-kinder/index_ger.html,100-minute version for children}.
-It has been written for a standard symphony orchestra but with a reduced
-cast of singers, and will be performed by the
-@emph{Radio-Sinfonieorchester Berlin} on the 5th and 6th April 2014 in
-the Atze Musiktheater, Berlin. The Conductor is Heiko Matthias Förster.
+Written for a standard symphony orchestra, but with a reduced cast of
+singers, it was performed by the @emph{Radio-Sinfonieorchester Berlin}
+in April 2014 at the Atze Musiktheater, Berlin. The Conductor was Heiko
+Matthias Förster.
@item
Joe Smeets created sheet music for the children's book @emph{Zing Mee}
@uref{http://www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl/web/Boek.htm?dbid=18954&typeofpage=134707, www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl}; choir
rehearsal scores for the Dutch translation of Benjamin Britten's
@emph{Saint Nicolas} performed by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep} in
-2011.
-@uref{http://www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl/nl/voorstellingen/sint_nicolaas_leeft, www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl}; and is currently
-working on the score and parts for an arrangement of Moussurgsky's
-@emph{Boris Godounov} for wind quartet, piano and percussion. To be
-performed in 2014, again by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep}.
+2011;
+@uref{http://www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl/nl/voorstellingen/sint_nicolaas_leeft, www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl}.
+He has also worked on the score and parts for an arrangement of
+Moussurgsky’s @emph{Boris Godounov} for wind quartet, piano and
+percussion which was performed in 2014, again by
+@emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep}.
@item
A critical edition of Tommaso Traetta's @emph{Enea nel Lazio (1760)},
for his Ph.D. Thesis.
@item
-Mussorgsky's @emph{Pictures at an exhibition}, re-orchestrated and
+Mussorgsky's @emph{Pictures at an exhibition}, was re-orchestrated and
conducted by @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} with
the @uref{http://www.junge-philharmonie-brandenburg.de/,
-Junge Philharmonie Brandenburg}
-on Oct 10 2011 and again on Apr 15-16 2012.
+Junge Philharmonie Brandenburg} in October 2011 and April 2012.
@item
@uref{http://www.kierenmacmillan.info/, Kieren MacMillan}, composer and
@c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
@c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/howto
+@divClass{column-center-top}
@subheading @qq{Compiling} Music
@imageClickable{nereid-shot-small,png, (click to enlarge), nereid-shot,png, right}
actually provide a GUI which allows direct manipulation of a
graphical score. For more information, see @ref{Easier editing}.
-
+@divEnd
@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Where now?
@end ignore
@divClass{column-center-top}
-@subheading Tunefl
-
-@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
-@sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
-@sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
-@sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
-
-@uref{http://www.tunefl.com}
-
-With tunefl you can typeset your scores directly online
-without needing to install LilyPond locally. It allows
-trying out all the program's features using a convenient
-web interface.
-
-@divEnd
-
-@divClass{column-center-top}
-@subheading LilyPondTool
-
-@imageClickable{lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot-400wide,png,
- (click to enlarge),lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot,png,right}
-
-@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
-@sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
-@sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
-@sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
-
-@uref{http://lilypondtool.organum.hu}
-
-Created as a plugin for the
-@uref{http://www.jedit.org,jEdit} text editor,
-LilyPondTool is one of the most feature-rich text-based tools for
-editing LilyPond scores. Its features include a Document Wizard
-with lyrics support to set up documents easier, and embedded PDF
-viewer with advanced point-and-click support.
-
-@divEnd
-
-@divClass{column-center-top}
-@subheading Frescobaldi
+@subheading Front-end Applications
+@subsubheading Frescobaldi
@imageClickable{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,
(click to enlarge),frescobaldi-lilypond-editor,png,right}
@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
-@sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
+@sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
@uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org}
-Frescobaldi is lightweight, yet powerful LilyPond music and text editor
-with a built-in PDF viewer. It is easy to use and will run on all major
+Frescobaldi is a lightweight, yet powerful, music and text editor
+with many features added and enhanced particularly for LilyPond. Major
+features include point-and-click links between the code and music views,
+detailed score wizards, built in LilyPond documentation browser, syntax
+highlighting and automatic completion. Frescobaldi is written in
+Python, with PyQt4 for its user interface, and will run on all major
operating systems (GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows).
-@divEnd
-
-@divClass{column-center-top}
-@subheading Denemo
+@subsubheading Denemo
@imageClickable{screenshot-denemo-small,png,
(click to enlarge),screenshot-denemo,png,right}
@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
+@sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
@uref{http://denemo.org}
@divEnd
@divClass{column-center-top}
-@subheading Text editors
+@subheading Browser-based editors
+
+@subsubheading LilyBin
+@uref{http://lilybin.com}
+
+A web-based LilyPond editor where you can typeset your scores directly
+online without needing to install LilyPond.
+
+@subsubheading Tunefl
+@uref{http://www.tunefl.com}
+
+With tunefl, you can typeset your mini-scores directly online without
+needing to install LilyPond locally. It allows trying out all the
+program's features using a convenient web interface.
+
+@divEnd
+
+@divClass{column-center-top}
+@subheading IDE Plug-ins
+
+@subsubheading Elysium
@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
@sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
without having to switch contexts, and comes with many wizard-driven
templates.
+@divEnd
+
+@divClass{column-center-top}
+@subheading Text editors
+
+@sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
+@sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
+@sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
+@sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
+
+@subsubheading Emacs
@uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/}
+Emacs is a text editor with language-sensitive capabilities for many
+different computer languages. Emacs is a highly extensible editor and
+can be used as an Integrated Development Environment. There is a
+@q{lilypond mode} which supplies the language definitions for working
+with LilyPond source files. A developer has written
+@uref{https://github.com/nsceaux/lyqi,lyqi}, an Emacs major mode.
-Emacs is a text editor with language-sensitive capabilities for
-many different computer languages. Emacs is a highly extensible
-editor and can be used as an Integrated Development Environment.
-There is a @q{lilypond mode} which supplies the language
-definitions for working with LilyPond source files. A developer
-has written @uref{https://github.com/nsceaux/lyqi,lyqi}, an Emacs major
-mode.
+If you are not already familiar with Emacs then you may probably prefer
+to use a different editor for writing LilyPond input files.
-@uref{http://www.vim.org}
+More information on setting up Emacs can be found in
+@rprogram{Text editor support}.
+@subsubheading Vim
+@uref{http://www.vim.org}
Vim is a minimal text editor and is an extension of the older Unix
@command{vi} editor. It is also extensible and configurable.
-As a general rule, if you are not already familiar with Emacs or
-Vim, then you would probably prefer to use a different editor for
-writing LilyPond input files.
+If you are not already familiar with Vi then you may probably prefer
+to use a different editor for writing LilyPond input files.
-More information on setting up Emacs and Vim can be found in
+More information on setting up Vim can be found in
@rprogram{Text editor support}.
@sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
+@subsubheading TeXShop
@uref{http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop}
-The TexShop editor for MacOS@tie{}X can be extended to run LilyPond,
+The TeXShop editor for MacOS@tie{}X can be extended to run LilyPond,
@command{lilypond-book} and @command{convert-ly} from within the editor,
using the extensions available at:
@divEnd
@divClass{column-center-top}
-@subheading Programs that can export LilyPond code
-
+@subheading Other programs that can export LilyPond code
@subsubheading Score, tab and MIDI editors:
@item
@uref{http://enc2ly.sourceforge.net/en/,Enc2ly} is a GNU/Linux program
-which converts an @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} music score into
-a LilyPond one.
+which converts an Encore music score into a LilyPond one.
@item
@uref{https://github.com/hanwen/go-enc2ly,go-enc2ly} is a Go tool that
-converts @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} files to LilyPond. It was
-created using Felipe Castro's research and reverse engineering by
-tweaking existing .enc files and loading them using the 4.55 demo
-version.
+converts Encore files to LilyPond. It was created using Felipe Castro's
+research and reverse engineering by tweaking existing .enc files and
+loading them using the 4.55 demo version.
@item
@uref{http://www.musescore.org,MuseScore}, a score editor, has
@uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com,Rosegarden}, an audio and MIDI
sequencer, which also has a score editor for single-staff editing.
-@item
-@uref{https://launchpad.net/rumor/,Rumor}, a realtime monophonic
-MIDI-to-LilyPond converter.
-
-@item
-@uref{http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/,TuxGuitar}, a multitrack tablature
-editor and player, includes a score viewer and can export to LilyPond.
-
@end itemize
@subsubheading Algorithmic code generators
@divClass{column-center-top}
-@subheading Other programs not being actively developed
+@subheading Other programs no longer being actively developed
@itemize
+@item
+@uref{https://sourceforge.net/projects/lily4jedit,LilyPondTool} was
+created as a plugin for the @uref{http://www.jedit.org,jEdit} text
+editor.
+
@item
@uref{http://lilykde.googlecode.com/,LilyKDE} has been replaced by
@uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as LilyKDE3
@item
@uref{http://noteedit.berlios.de,NoteEdit}, which imported
-@uref{http://www.makemusic.com/musicxml,MusicXML}, has been forked
-into
+@uref{http://www.makemusic.com/musicxml,MusicXML}, has been forked into
@uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}
and @uref{http://canorus.org,Canorus}.
+@item
+@uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical note
+entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces LilyPond
+notes.
+
+@item
+@uref{https://launchpad.net/rumor/,Rumor}, a realtime monophonic
+MIDI-to-LilyPond converter.
@item
-@uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical
-note entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces
-LilyPond notes.
+@uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/tuxguitar/,TuxGuitar}, a
+multitrack tablature editor and player, includes a score viewer and can
+export to LilyPond.
@end itemize
approach to the computational aesthetics of classical engraving is
explained in our @ref{Background}.
+@divEnd
+
+@divClass{column-center-bottom}
@subheading Legalese
@divClass{legal}