X-Git-Url: https://git.donarmstrong.com/?a=blobdiff_plain;f=Documentation%2Fweb%2Fintroduction.itexi;h=512559a6b4dba7f3119b7ee5542f66fba19ef27c;hb=ebda49421d5926699628907ee06bcb1e3d0a9212;hp=1b2ec960f2acfd14aeceabfd445d847a1482aee6;hpb=d68f3379efb097d285b1989eedbb4c71cf8981e4;p=lilypond.git diff --git a/Documentation/web/introduction.itexi b/Documentation/web/introduction.itexi index 1b2ec960f2..512559a6b4 100644 --- a/Documentation/web/introduction.itexi +++ b/Documentation/web/introduction.itexi @@ -20,10 +20,14 @@ soulless look of computer-printed sheet music. Musicians prefer reading beautiful music, so why couldn't programmers write software to produce elegant printed parts? -The result is a system which frees musicians from the details of -layout, allowing them to focus on making music. LilyPond works -with them to create publication-quality parts, crafted in the best -traditions of classical music engraving. +The result is a program that creates beautiful sheet music +following the best traditions of classical music engraving. +It takes care of the details of layout programmatically, +allowing composers, transcribers and publishers to focus +on the @emph{music} instead of improving their software's +default output. Performers will get parts that let them +concentrate on @emph{playing} music instead of @emph{reading} it. + @divEnd @@ -100,8 +104,7 @@ traditions of classical music engraving. @divClass{column-center-top} -@subheading Elegance -@subsubheading Excellent classical engraving +@subheading Excellent classical engraving @imageFloat{flat-design,png,right} @@ -115,37 +118,69 @@ best-engraved classical scores. This is further explained in our @ref{Essay}. +@divEnd -@subsubheading Effective layout choices +@divClass{column-center-top} +@subheading Text input + +@subsubheading Everything is explicit + +LilyPond processes text input, which contains all information +about the @emph{content} of your score and can easily be read +by any human or another program. There are no obscure +settings hidden behind menu items and binary file storage. + +Read more about this concept on @ref{Text input}. -Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the -formatting correct right from the start. It determines spacing by -itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform -layout. Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved -and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically! +@subsubheading Tweaks are robust and traceable + +If you have to change anything in the layout this tweak will +also be explicitly visible in the input file in human-readable +form, so you will always be able to retrace what you've done. +If you should accidentally break anything you can easily revert +or modify any decision without being at the mercy of an +@emph{Undo} function. + + +@subsubheading Text files are failure- and future-proof + +Text files are very robust against file corruption. And as they are +human-readable, you will always be able to interpret them even if +you don't have access to the programs that created them. + + +@subsubheading Manage your scores with version control + +Text files are applicable to be managed by version control. Go +for it and experience infinite and selective undo/redo mechanisms +and the full development history of your scores. Version control +may also open up new (collaborative) workflows for you. @divEnd -@divClass{color2} -@subheading Ease of use +@divClass{column-center-top} +@subheading Usability @imageFloat{lilypond-book,png,right} -@subsubheading Text-based input -LilyPond takes ASCII input, which you can produce in your favorite -text editor, quickly and comfortably. The input contains all the -information, so there is no need to remember complex command sequences: -simply save a file for later reference. +@subsubheading Effective layout choices + +Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the +formatting correct right from the start. It determines spacing by +itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform +layout. Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved +and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically! + @subsubheading Mix music and text Put fragments of music into texts without cutting and pasting pictures. Integrate music into @LaTeX{} or HTML seamlessly, or add -music to OpenOffice.org with OOoLilyPond. Plugins are also available -to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and wikis, making online -collaboration possible. +music to OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice with OOoLilyPond. Plugins are +also available to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and wikis, making +online collaboration possible. @subsubheading Accessibility @@ -157,32 +192,74 @@ speech-recognition software to edit LilyPond files. Even users who are totally blind can use screen-reading software to write LilyPond files -- an impossible task in graphical-based score-writing programs. +You can see a spectacular score on @ref{Examples}. + +@subsubheading Editor diversity + +Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users, +have written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing +LilyPond files faster and more effective; you are not tied to +a single user interface but can use different tools for different tasks. +You can even use a full-fledged LilyPond editor at home and use your +mobile phone's notepad app to edit the files on the go. For some examples, +see @ref{Easier editing}. +@c TODO: Change this when the new pages have been written and pushed + + +@divEnd + +@divClass{column-center-top} -@subsubheading Extensible design +@subheading Extensible design -All settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical -taste. If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in -scripting language Scheme, a dialect of the powerful language -LISP. Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the +@subsubheading Easy management of style sheets + +All layout settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical +taste. So you can easily write style sheets that change every aspect of +LilyPond scores' default appearance. As these are also written as text +and can be stored in separate files you can simply switch between two +stylesheets to produce scores with a completely different appearance or +layout. +You want to print a score on A4 paper and project it with a beamer, +one system per page? LilyPond's layout engine will effortlessly produce +both from the same input. + +@subsubheading Add your own functions + +If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in +scripting language Scheme, which can access LilyPond's layout +engine at the same level as LilyPond itself does, making it +a @emph{very} powerful tool. +Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the comprehensive program reference manual. +@subsubheading Process scores programmatically + +LilyPond input files can fully be edited or even generated by programs +and scripts. This can for example be used for algorithmical composition. +But you can also access the musical content for analysis, or manage +input fragments in a database. There are no limitations except your +imagination. + + +@subsubheading Create new tools using LilyPond + +As LilyPond isn't a monolithic GUI program but a command line tool it +can be used from within other applications too. This way it is possible +to equip tools like e.g. web applications with LilyPond's engraving +power. There already exist several online tools using LilyPond. + +@c (TBD: Add a link to the new @ref{Applications} page. + + @divEnd -@divClass{color3} +@divClass{column-center-top} @subheading Environment @imageFloat{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,right} -@subsubheading Free software - -LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge! Yep - It's free. Get -it from the download page. - -It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software. It comes with source -code, and permission to change and copy it. So, are you irritated -by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or -pay someone else to do it. @subsubheading Excellent support @@ -190,17 +267,24 @@ pay someone else to do it. LilyPond runs on all popular platforms: GNU/Linux, MacOS X, and Windows. LilyPond comes with extensive documentation and hundreds of example files. There is an active user community answering -questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, while the development -team makes sure that problems are solved quickly. +questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, offering you friendly +help. The response time is usually very short, and often brillant +solutions to reported problems are developed. Thanks to the close +interaction with the development team such solutions are regularly +included in LilyPond itself. +Read more in @ref{Community}. -@subsubheading Enhanced editors +@subsubheading Free software +LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge! Yep - It's free. Get +it from the download page. -Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users, have also -written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing -LilyPond files faster and more effective. For some examples, see -@ref{Easier editing}. +It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software. It comes with source +code, and permission to change and copy it. So, are you irritated +by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or +pay someone else to do it. +Read more on @ref{Freedom}. @divEnd @divClass{column-center-bottom} @@ -216,6 +300,10 @@ already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our @node Examples @unnumberedsec Examples +@divClass{column-center-top} + +@subheading Beautiful examples + LilyPond is a powerful and flexible tool for engraving tasks of all kinds. Please browse our gallery of examples and be inspired! @@ -297,6 +385,15 @@ The colors have been added for better visibility. @exampleImage{bach-schenker} @newsEnd +@newsItem +@subsubheading Customized Output + +A short excerpt from Stockhausen's Klavierstück II to demonstrate +Lilypond's ability to provide customised output. + +@exampleImage{Stockhausen_Klavierstueck2} +@newsEnd + @newsItem @subsubheading Vocal Music @@ -342,6 +439,7 @@ contributed by Hu Haipeng, a blind composer. @exampleImage{orchestra} @newsEnd +@divEnd @divClass{column-center-bottom} @subheading Where now? @@ -471,9 +569,11 @@ LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}. We have an extensive essay describing computational aesthetics: the art of creating beauty with a computer. -If you just want a quick introduction to LilyPond, the essay might -be too much material to read. If you would like to read it now, -please progress to @ref{Essay}. +This is interesting reading if you are interested in an in-depth +discussion of our fundamental ideas. Due to its volume the +essay is available as a "manual". If you would like to read +it now, please progress to @ref{Essay}. However, if you just +want a quick introduction to LilyPond, you might skip it for now. @divEnd @divClass{column-center-bottom} @@ -488,6 +588,16 @@ try LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}. @node Productions @unnumberedsec Productions +@divClass{column-center-top} + +@subheading Productions using LilyPond + +Here you can read about people who actually use LilyPond +in their productions, be it for performances of their +music or as published scores. + +@divEnd + @divClass{column-left-top} @subheading Concerts @@ -497,6 +607,40 @@ Some highlights: @divClass{keep-bullets} @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.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. + +@item +Joe Smeets created sheet music for the children's book @emph{Zing Mee} +(@emph{Sing along}) by Annie M.G. published by Querido -- ISBN +9789045106205: +@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}. + +@item +A critical edition of Tommaso Traetta's @emph{Enea nel Lazio (1760)}, +opera series with libretto by Vittorio Amedeo Cigna-Santi, in four +parts: +@uref{http://www.academia.edu/1987651/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_1_4_, Part One} +@uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994533/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_2_4_, Part Two} +@uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994558/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_3_4_, Part Three} +@uref{http://www.academia.edu/1996242/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_4_4_, Part Four} +Created by +@uref{http://unito.academia.edu/LucaRossettoCasel, Luca Rossetto Casel} +for his Ph.D. Thesis. + @item Mussorgsky's @emph{Pictures at an exhibition}, re-orchestrated and conducted by @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} with @@ -516,12 +660,11 @@ Chrysalis Duo} ; @emph{thrafsmata} performed in July 2011 by the @uref{http://www.pnme.org/CurrentSeason/PreviousSeasons.html, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble}. - @item @emph{Anonymous Student Compliment or Complaint}, by @uref{http://www.mikesolomon.org, Mike Solomon}, winner chosen from among 172 entries from 22 countries of the -@uref{http://leftcoastensemble.org/contest, 2011 Left Coast Composition Contest}. +@uref{http://leftcoastensemble.org, 2011 Left Coast Composition Contest}. Other works include, Norman (age 1) for clarinet solo, performed at the @uref{http://emu.music.ufl.edu/fems_concerts.html, University of Florida}'s Electroacoustic Music Festival (FEMF), October 2010. @@ -534,16 +677,16 @@ Italy. @uref{http://www.ascarlatti2010.net, Alessandro Scarlatti 2010}, in celebration of the composer's 350th birthday. @item -@uref{http://www.mercurybaroque.org/02/02109.aspx, Mercury Baroque}'s -performance of Lully's @emph{Armide}, May 15-16, 2009, in Houston, -Texas (engraving by @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, -Nicolas Sceaux}). +@uref{http://www.mercurybaroque.org, Mercury Baroque}'s performance of +Lully's @emph{Armide}, May 15-16, 2009, in Houston, Texas (engraving by +@uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}). @item Instrumental excerpts from Rameau's @emph{Hippolyte et Aricie} at St. James's Church in Manhattan, May 8, 2009, by Frederick Renz and his ensemble @uref{http://www.earlymusicny.org/, Early Music -New York} (engraving by Nicolas Sceaux). +New York} (engraving by +@uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}). @item @emph{Affaire étrangère}, an opera by @@ -612,6 +755,12 @@ If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our @node Reviews @unnumberedsec Reviews +@divClass{column-center-top} +@subheading What do people say about LilyPond? + +@divEnd + + @divClass{column-left-top} @subheading Published articles @@ -717,8 +866,8 @@ October 2004 The editors of Computer!Totaal, a Dutch computer magazine, @uref{http://lilypond.org/website/pdf/computer-totaal.jpeg, describe LilyPond} in the October 2004 issue as: @qq{Wonderful -free (open source) software [..] The sheet music produced by -LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [..] a very powerful system that +free (open source) software [@dots{}] The sheet music produced by +LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [@dots{}] a very powerful system that can do almost anything.} @item @@ -745,7 +894,7 @@ February 2004 Jazz singer Gail Selkirk writes about @uref{http://www.songbirdofswing.com/editorial_page/lilypond/, -Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{... you can make lead sheets or full +Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{@dots{} you can make lead sheets or full orchestral parts, and the results can be stunning.} @uref{http://www.computermusic.co.uk/, Computer Music Special}, issue CMS06. @@ -801,12 +950,11 @@ the raw, untouched output.} work. I've never seen anything approaching the output that I get from LilyPond -- I'm totally confident that my music publishing needs will be fulfilled beyond my expectations using this great -application. [..] basically untweaked LilyPond output [..] looks -better than most recent @q{professional} publications I've compared -it to (q.v., just about any Warner Bros. score, and even many of -the most recent by @q{the old houses}). [..]} - -@qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!} +application. [@dots{}] basically untweaked LilyPond output +[@dots{}] looks better than most recent @q{professional} +publications I've compared it to (q.v., just about any Warner +Bros. score, and even many of the most recent by @q{the old +houses}). [@dots{}]} @qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!} @divEnd @@ -843,7 +991,7 @@ time. I'm convinced that no commercial product can come close.} @divClass{testimonial-item} @subsubheading David Bobroff, Bass Trombone, Iceland Symphony Orchestra -@qq{I think LilyPond is great [..] The more I learn about LilyPond +@qq{I think LilyPond is great [@dots{}] The more I learn about LilyPond the more I like it!} @divEnd @@ -851,7 +999,7 @@ the more I like it!} @divClass{testimonial-item} @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}) -@qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [..]} +@qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [@dots{}]} @qq{THIS IS THE BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!} @@ -864,7 +1012,7 @@ the more I like it!} @qq{I had a kind of hate-passion relationship with it. Passion because the first score I saw was so amazing! The description of -LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [..] as +LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [@dots{}] as LilyPond is getting always better, and as I look closer how things are done in scheme, I have less and less frustrations. Anyway, what I mean is: thank you for providing LilyPond, it is really @@ -1007,12 +1155,16 @@ help new users, beginning with @ref{Learning}. The Learning Manual is the best place to start, as many questions are answered before they come up! -Please read the Learning Manual before complaining about bugs! -New users occasionally believe that LilyPond is not working -correctly, when in fact it is working precisely as designed. +Occasionally new users are unnecessarily confused by some aspects +of LilyPond's behaviour. Please read this manual before doubting +whether LilyPond is working correctly. More in-depth information is available in @ref{Manuals}. +Ben Lemon, a LilyPond user, has created a range of +@uref{http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond/,video tutorials} +on his blog and which are aimed at new users. + @subsubheading Easier editing environments @@ -1063,7 +1215,7 @@ In particular, don't link to: @uref{http://www.tunefl.com} With tunefl you can typeset your scores directly online -without needing to install lilypond locally. It allows +without needing to install LilyPond locally. It allows trying out all the program's features using a convenient web interface. @@ -1191,8 +1343,14 @@ using the extensions available at: @itemize @item -@uref{http://www.canorus.org,Canorus}, a score editor, can also export to -LilyPond, but is still beta-software. Testers are welcome, though. +@uref{http://www.jezra.net/projects/bwwtolily,bwwtolily} attempts to +convert a @code{.bww} or @code{.bmw} file to LilyPond. While not all of +the embellishments may get converted properly (this is especially true +with piobaireachd), the program will list them. + +@item +@uref{http://www.canorus.org,Canorus}, a score editor, can also export +to LilyPond, but is still beta-software. Testers are welcome, though. @item @uref{http://enc2ly.sourceforge.net/en/,Enc2ly} is a GNU/Linux program @@ -1200,42 +1358,41 @@ which converts an @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,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. +@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. @item -@uref{http://www.musescore.org,MuseScore}, a score editor, has incomplete -LilyPond export but is being actively developed. +@uref{http://www.musescore.org,MuseScore}, a score editor, has +incomplete LilyPond export but is being actively developed. @item -@uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}, a -score editor based on the @uref{http://www.cairographics.org,Cairo} library, -has experimental support for exporting to LilyPond. +@uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}, +a score editor based on the @uref{http://www.cairographics.org,Cairo} +library, it has experimental support for exporting to LilyPond. @item -@uref{http://www.holmessoft.co.uk/homepage/software/NWC2LY/index.htm,NW2LY} is -a C# program which converts a -@c @uref{http://www.noteworthysoftware.com/,NoteWorthy} -NoteWorthy composer song into LilyPond. +@uref{http://www.holmessoft.co.uk/homepage/software/NWC2LY/index.htm,NW2LY} +is a C# program which converts a NoteWorthy composer song into LilyPond. @item -@uref{https://github.com/ciconia/ripple/blob/master/README.markdown,Ripple} is -a program that helps create scores and parts, including a mode for mixing -different musical works together in a single score or part. +@uref{https://github.com/ciconia/ripple/blob/master/README.markdown,Ripple} +is a program that helps create scores and parts, including a mode for +mixing different musical works together in a single score or part. @item -@uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com,Rosegarden}, an audio and MIDI sequencer, -which also has a score editor for single-staff editing. +@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. +@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. +@uref{http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/,TuxGuitar}, a multitrack tablature +editor and player, includes a score viewer and can export to LilyPond. @end itemize @@ -1245,18 +1402,19 @@ and player, includes a score viewer and can export to LilyPond. @item @uref{http://www.projectabjad.org/,Abjad}, a -@uref{http://www.python.org/,Python} API for Formalized Score -Control designed to help composers build up complex pieces of -LilyPond notation in an iterative and incremental way. +@uref{http://www.python.org/,Python} API for Formalized Score Control +designed to help composers build up complex pieces of LilyPond notation +in an iterative and incremental way. @item -@uref{http://common-lisp.net/project/fomus/,FOMUS}, a LISP library -to generate music notation from computer music software -environments. +@uref{http://common-lisp.net/project/fomus/,FOMUS}, (FOrmat MUSic) is a +music notation tool for computer music composers. It is written in the +Lisp programming language, and has been tested in a variety of +interpreters. A C++ port is also available. @item -@uref{http://strasheela.sourceforge.net,Strasheela}, an -environment built on top of the +@uref{http://strasheela.sourceforge.net/strasheela/doc/index.html,Strasheela}, +an environment built on top of the @uref{http://www.mozart-oz.org/, Mozart/Oz} constraint programming language. @@ -1271,12 +1429,12 @@ language. @item @uref{http://lilykde.googlecode.com/,LilyKDE} has been replaced by -@uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as -LilyKDE3 for KDE 3.5 and lilypond-KDE4 for KDE 4.1 only. +@uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as LilyKDE3 +for KDE 3.5 and lilypond-KDE4 for KDE 4.1 only. @item @uref{http://noteedit.berlios.de,NoteEdit}, which imported -@uref{http://www.musicxml.com/xml.html,MusicXML}, has been forked +@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}. @@ -1285,7 +1443,7 @@ 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. +LilyPond notes. @end itemize