1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
3 Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
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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
120 @subheading Text input
122 @imageFloat{lilypond-book,png,right}
124 @subsubheading Everything is explicit
126 LilyPond takes ASCII input, which you can produce in your favorite
127 text editor, quickly and comfortably. The input contains all the
128 information, so there is no need to remember complex command sequences:
129 simply save a file for later reference.
131 @subsubheading Tweaks are robust and traceable
133 @subsubheading Text files are robust
135 @subsubheading Manage your scores with version control
140 @subheading Usability
142 @imageFloat{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,right}
145 @subsubheading Effective layout choices
147 Spend less time with tweaking the output; LilyPond gets the
148 formatting correct right from the start. It determines spacing by
149 itself, and breaks lines and pages to provide a tight and uniform
150 layout. Clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords are resolved
151 and slurs and beams are sloped, automatically!
154 @subsubheading Mix music and text
156 Put fragments of music into texts without cutting and pasting
157 pictures. Integrate music into @LaTeX{} and HTML seamlessly, or add
158 music to OpenOffice.org or LibreOffice with OOoLilyPond. Plugins are
159 also available to allow LilyPond code in various blogs and wikis, making
160 online collaboration possible.
163 @subsubheading Accessibility
165 Text-based input also makes score-writing possible for users with
166 severe physical disabilities. Dexterity-impaired users who are
167 unable to type or control a computer mouse can use
168 speech-recognition software to edit LilyPond files. Even users
169 who are totally blind can use screen-reading software to write
170 LilyPond files -- an impossible task in graphical-based
171 score-writing programs.
173 @subsubheading Enhanced editors
175 Several developers, themselves active LilyPond users, have also
176 written tools specifically aimed at making the process of editing
177 LilyPond files faster and more effective. For some examples, see
178 @ref{Easier editing}.
185 @subheading Extensible design
187 @subsubheading Easy management of style sheets
189 @subsubheading Add your own functions
191 All settings can be changed to suit your personal typographical
192 taste. If that still is not enough, there is always the built-in
193 scripting language Scheme, a dialect of the powerful language
194 LISP. Settings, variables and functions are all documented in the
195 comprehensive program reference manual.
198 @subsubheading Create new frontends for LilyPond
200 E.g. web applications
202 (Link to productions or similar page).
209 @subheading Environment
213 @subsubheading Excellent support
215 LilyPond runs on all popular platforms: GNU/Linux, MacOS X, and
216 Windows. LilyPond comes with extensive documentation and hundreds
217 of example files. There is an active user community answering
218 questions on the lilypond-user mailing list, while the development
219 team makes sure that problems are solved quickly.
222 @subsubheading Free software
224 LilyPond can be downloaded free of charge! Yep - It's free. Get
225 it from the download page.
227 It's also free (as in @qq{speech}) software. It comes with source
228 code, and permission to change and copy it. So, are you irritated
229 by a bug, or yearning for a feature? Simply add it yourself, or
230 pay someone else to do it.
233 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
234 @subheading Where now?
236 Still not convinced? Look at some specific @ref{Examples}. If you've
237 already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
244 @unnumberedsec Examples
246 LilyPond is a powerful and flexible tool for engraving tasks of
247 all kinds. Please browse our gallery of examples and be inspired!
251 @subsubheading Classical Music
253 This organ work by J.S. Bach is a fairly typical engraving project
256 @exampleImage{bach-bwv610}
260 @subsubheading Complex Notation
262 This example from @emph{Goyescas} by Enrique Granados shows some
263 of the more advanced features of typesetting, including kneed
264 beams, cross-staff stems, and voice-follow lines.
266 @exampleImage{granados}
270 @subsubheading Early Music
272 LilyPond also supports various types of ancient notation, such
273 as this passage of Gregorian chant.
275 @exampleImage{ancient-headword}
279 @subsubheading Modern Music
281 Contemporary composers find LilyPond well-suited to displaying
282 unusual notation. Here is an excerpt from Trevor Bača's
283 @emph{Čáry}, for unaccompanied bass flute.
290 @subsubheading Efficient, flexible creation of performance materials
292 Various performance materials can be created from the same source
293 code. This is an excerpt of @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/,
294 Nicolas Sceaux's} engraving of Handel's @emph{Giulio Cesare}, in
295 full score, piano-vocal reduction, and a violin part.
297 @exampleImage{sesto-full}
299 @exampleImage{sesto-piano}
301 @exampleImage{sesto-violin}
306 @subsubheading Tablature
308 LilyPond supports tablature notation, which can be customized to
309 suit any instrument that reads from tablature. The tablature
310 staff is generated automatically from notes entered for the 5-line
313 @exampleImage{tab-example}
317 @subsubheading Schenker Graphs
319 Standard output can be modified heavily. Here is an impressive
320 Schenkerian analysis, created by Kris Schaffer, for an article
321 in @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364 , Linux Journal}.
322 The colors have been added for better visibility.
324 @exampleImage{bach-schenker}
328 @subsubheading Vocal Music
330 LilyPond is excellent for vocal music of all kinds, from sacred
331 hymns to opera. Here is a medieval motet with slightly unusual
332 requirements. The tenor voice is written in a different meter
333 than the others, but must line up as if it were in the same meter.
334 LilyPond handles this most elegantly. Note also the incipits with
335 Vaticana style clefs, the slashed stems indicating plicated notes,
336 and the ligature braces above certain groups of notes.
338 @exampleImage{aucun-snippet}
342 @subsubheading Educational Applications
344 LilyPond is perfectly suited for educational purposes as well.
345 Here is an example of a simple counterpoint exercise.
347 @exampleImage{theory}
351 @subsubheading Popular Music
353 It is simple to create pop lead sheets with melody, lyrics,
354 chord names, and fretboards. In this example you see some of the
355 predefined fretboard diagrams, but these can be heavily customized
356 to suit nearly any situation.
362 @subsubheading Large Projects
364 LilyPond is excellent for large projects like operas or works for
365 full symphony orchestra, as well. In addition, the text-based
366 input provides greater accessibility -- this example was
367 contributed by Hu Haipeng, a blind composer.
369 @exampleImage{orchestra}
373 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
374 @subheading Where now?
376 Still not convinced? LilyPond is Free software, granting you
377 @ref{Freedom}. If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first
378 read about our @ref{Text input}.
383 @unnumberedsec Freedom
385 @divClass{column-center-top}
386 @subheading Free Software
388 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/, GNU} LilyPond is written and maintained
389 by a community of enthusiasts. It is published under the
390 @ref{GPL, GNU General Public License} and the @ref{FDL, GNU Free
391 Documentation License}, giving everybody the freedom to fix,
392 modify, and extend the program. Creating beautiful music should
393 not require hundreds of dollars of software!
397 @c @divClass{column-left-top}
399 @divClass{keep-bullets}
400 @subheading What are the benefits to users?
405 No cost: download and try it out! What do you have to lose?
408 Sharing: if you like the program, give a copy to your friends,
409 teachers, students, and colleagues!
412 Source available: if you are curious about how LilyPond creates
413 some notation, you can see exactly how it is done.
416 Extendible: you can add features, fix bugs, and change the
417 functionality. If you are not a programmer, you can hire somebody
420 This may not seem appealing to casual musicians, but the ability
421 to extend software can be highly valuable to serious composers,
422 companies, and academics.
425 Future safety: if a commercial company goes bankrupt, what happens
426 to any electronic music which depends on their products? This is
427 not a concern with LilyPond; even if the entire development team
428 quits (extremely unlikely), the program will still be legally
429 available for copying, modifications, and distribution.
438 @c @divClass{column-right-top}
440 @divClass{keep-bullets}
441 @subheading Why do LilyPond developers @qq{give away} their work for free?
443 Most of us view LilyPond development as a hobby or volunteer work.
444 So this question is really asking @qq{why do people volunteer}?
449 Fun: working towards a goal can be enjoyable, especially when you
453 Shared goals: we all want beautiful sheet music, but few people
454 have the expertise (and nobody has the time!), to create a program
455 which can handle all situations. By working together -- one
456 person improves the automatic beaming code, another person
457 improves the shape of slurs, and a third person writes
458 documentation explaining how to use these features -- we can
459 achieve our goal with only a fraction of the individual effort.
462 @qq{Gift culture}: the Free Software
463 movement has created many great software projects, such as
464 @uref{http://kernel.org/, GNU/Linux},
465 @uref{http://www.getfirefox.com/, Mozilla Firefox}, and
466 @uref{http://www.wesnoth.org/, Battle for Wesnoth}. Having
467 benefitted from these projects, some developers want to @qq{give
468 back} to the community.
471 Work experience: contributing to free software projects is a great way to
472 practice programming, documentation writing, documentation translation,
473 or design. This experience has helped some developers gain job offers
483 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
484 @subheading Where now?
486 Still not convinced? Read our extensive essay about our engraving
487 philosophy in @ref{Background}. If you've already decided to try
488 LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
493 @unnumberedsec Background
495 @divClass{column-center-top}
496 @subheading Background essay
498 We have an extensive essay describing computational aesthetics:
499 the art of creating beauty with a computer.
501 If you just want a quick introduction to LilyPond, the essay might
502 be too much material to read. If you would like to read it now,
503 please progress to @ref{Essay}.
506 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
507 @subheading Where now?
509 Still not convinced? Read about some of our users'
510 @ref{Productions} and sheet music. If you've already decided to
511 try LilyPond, first read about our @ref{Text input}.
516 @unnumberedsec Productions
518 @divClass{column-left-top}
521 LilyPond engravings have been used for performances around the world.
524 @divClass{keep-bullets}
528 Joe Smeets created sheet music for the children's book @emph{Zing Mee}
529 (@emph{Sing along}) by Annie M.G. published by Querido -- ISBN
531 @uref{http://www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl/web/Boek.htm?dbid=18954&typeofpage=134707, www.queridokinderenjeugdboeken.nl}; choir
532 rehearsal scores for the Dutch translation of Benjamin Britten's
533 @emph{Saint Nicolas} performed by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep} in
535 @uref{http://www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl/nl/voorstellingen/sint_nicolaas_leeft, www.muziektheaterhollandsdiep.nl}; and is currently
536 working on the score and parts for an arrangement of Moussurgsky's
537 @emph{Boris Godounov} for wind quartet, piano and percussion. To be
538 performed in 2014, again by @emph{Muziektheater Hollands Diep}.
541 A critical edition of Tommaso Traetta's @emph{Enea nel Lazio (1760)},
542 opera series with libretto by Vittorio Amedeo Cigna-Santi, in four
544 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1987651/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_1_4_, Part One}
545 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994533/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_2_4_, Part Two}
546 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1994558/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_3_4_, Part Three}
547 @uref{http://www.academia.edu/1996242/Enea_nel_Lazio_opera_riformata_prima_lazione_poi_le_parole_-_Partitura_4_4_, Part Four}
549 @uref{http://unito.academia.edu/LucaRossettoCasel, Luca Rossetto Casel}
550 for his Ph.D. Thesis.
553 Mussorgsky's @emph{Pictures at an exhibition}, re-orchestrated and
554 conducted by @uref{http://www.aurelienbello.com/,Aurélien Bello} with
555 the @uref{http://www.junge-philharmonie-brandenburg.de/,
556 Junge Philharmonie Brandenburg}
557 on Oct 10 2011 and again on Apr 15-16 2012.
560 @uref{http://www.kierenmacmillan.info/, Kieren MacMillan}, composer and
561 musical director. His many, recent works include; @emph{Go Thy Way},
562 performed by the @uref{http://www.saltlakechoralartists.org/,
563 Salt Lake Choral Artists} in March 2012; The
564 @emph{Just Out of Reach Suite} performed
566 @uref{http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall/x1883873762/Music-duo-Chrysalis-to-perform-at-Marshall-University-on-Jan-19,
567 Chrysalis Duo} ; @emph{thrafsmata} performed in July 2011 by the
568 @uref{http://www.pnme.org/CurrentSeason/PreviousSeasons.html, Pittsburgh
572 @emph{Anonymous Student Compliment or Complaint}, by
573 @uref{http://www.mikesolomon.org, Mike Solomon}, winner chosen from among
574 172 entries from 22 countries of the
575 @uref{http://leftcoastensemble.org, 2011 Left Coast Composition Contest}.
576 Other works include, Norman (age 1) for clarinet solo, performed at the
577 @uref{http://emu.music.ufl.edu/fems_concerts.html, University of Florida}'s
578 Electroacoustic Music Festival (FEMF), October 2010.
581 A modern edition of the @emph{Serenata Erminia} by Alessandro Scarlatti,
582 edited by Thomas Griffin, Musicologist (Rome, Italy). Performed on 22
583 October 2010 in the Galleria of the Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano, Naples,
584 Italy. @uref{http://www.ascarlatti2010.net, Alessandro Scarlatti 2010},
585 in celebration of the composer's 350th birthday.
588 @uref{http://www.mercurybaroque.org, Mercury Baroque}'s performance of
589 Lully's @emph{Armide}, May 15-16, 2009, in Houston, Texas (engraving by
590 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
593 Instrumental excerpts from Rameau's @emph{Hippolyte et Aricie} at
594 St. James's Church in Manhattan, May 8, 2009, by Frederick Renz
595 and his ensemble @uref{http://www.earlymusicny.org/, Early Music
596 New York} (engraving by
597 @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}).
600 @emph{Affaire étrangère}, an opera by
601 @uref{http://valentin.villenave.net/,Valentin Villenave}
602 to a French libretto by
603 @uref{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Trondheim, Lewis
604 Trondheim}, premiered February 1, 2009 at
605 @uref{http://www.orchestre-montpellier.com/, L'Opéra National de
606 Montpellier}, France.
614 @divClass{column-right-top}
615 @subheading Published sheet music
617 @divClass{keep-bullets}
621 @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/index.html, Mutopia Project},
622 over 1500 pieces of classical sheet music for free download, and
623 the main showcase of LilyPond scores.
625 @c don't make this "Mutopia" a link, since that looks silly.
627 @uref{http://etudeapp.com, Etude}, @qq{sheet music on steroids} is
628 an iPhone app which displays piano music engraved with LilyPond,
629 including many pieces from Mutopia. The app includes a virtual
630 piano keyboard showing which keys to press to help beginners learn
631 how to read sheet music.
634 @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing},
635 high-quality scores of sacred music, available for immediate
636 download or in traditional paper format.
639 @uref{http://www.shadylane.fr, The Shady Lane Publishing},
640 a @qq{micro musical publishing house} whose goal is to promote a
641 new form of musical economy closer to the musicians and music
650 @contactUsAbout{concerts or sheet music}
652 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
653 @subheading Where now?
655 Still not convinced? Read some of our users' @ref{Reviews}.
656 If you've already decided to try LilyPond, first read about our
660 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
661 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/testimonials
664 @unnumberedsec Reviews
666 @divClass{column-left-top}
667 @subheading Published articles
669 @divClass{keep-bullets}
675 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com,Linux Magazine} publishes an
677 @uref{http://www.linux-magazine.com/w3/issue/126/088-090_projects.pdf,
678 Projects on the Move}. It is an introductory article on MuseScore,
679 LilyPond and Chordii. Author Carla Schroder states @qq{LilyPond is
680 driven from the command line, but don’t let the lack of a GUI scare
681 you away; LilyPond is user-friendly and easy to learn}, and provides
687 Peter Kirn, on the Create Digital Music website, publishes a
688 @uref{http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/05/14/lilypond-free-beautiful-music-notation-engraving-for-anyone/,LilyPond
689 review}. He takes a balanced view on usage, praises LilyPond's
690 high-quality notation and suggests to try it out.
695 The German LinuxUser magazine wrote an
696 @uref{http://www.linux-community.de/Internal/Artikel/Print-Artikel/LinuxUser/2009/10/Digitaler-Notenschluessel,
697 article about LilyPond}.
703 @uref{http://www.polyphonic.org/article.php?id=188, Polyphonic.org}
704 website, presents comments by two orchestra librarians who
705 talk about using software to maintain their libraries.
710 In an @uref{http://news.lilynet.net/Free-Music-Now, article}
711 published in the French @emph{National Conservatory Parent
712 Association}'s yearly magazine, French composer and LilyPond
713 contributor Valentin Villenave explains how Free licenses, and
714 specifically LilyPond-engraved scores, are instrumental in
715 making written music accessible to all.
720 In @uref{http://www.musicbyandrew.ca/finale-lilypond-1.html,
721 articles on his personal site}, Andrew Hawryluk compares Finale
722 and LilyPond in general terms, and evaluates engraving
723 capabilities of both pieces of software in detail. The second
724 article is an instructive analysis of engraving issues in
725 Rachmaninoff's Piano Prelude No. 6, including comparisons with a
726 hand-engraved reference edition.
731 @uref{http://distrowatch.com,DistroWatch} awards LilyPond and
732 @uref{http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20060605,writes}
733 @qq{Ladies and Gentleman, we are pleased to announce that, based
734 on readers' requests, the DistroWatch May 2006 donation has been
735 awarded to LilyPond (@euro{}190.00) and Lua (US$250.00).}
740 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal} publishes an article
741 titled @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8364, Make
742 Stunning Schenker Graphs with GNU LilyPond}. It is an in-depth
743 but hands-on feature article with crisp LilyPond graphics. Author
744 Kris Shaffer remarks @qq{GNU LilyPond generates beautiful graphics
745 that make commercial alternatives seem second-rate.}
750 The Belgian newspaper De Standaard investigates what drives Free
751 Software authors in an article titled
752 @uref{http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=G42H5GD6,
753 Delen van KENNIS zonder WINSTBEJAG} (Non-profit sharing of
754 knowlegde) in its @q{DS2 bijlage}. LilyPond is used as an example
755 and the article is interspersed with quotes from an email
756 interview with Jan Nieuwenhuizen. This marks LilyPond's first
757 appearance in mainstream printed press.
762 A French article on the LilyPond 2.6 release appeared on
763 @uref{http://linuxfr.org/2005/06/27/19210.html, linuxfr.org}.
768 The editors of Computer!Totaal, a Dutch computer magazine,
769 @uref{http://lilypond.org/website/pdf/computer-totaal.jpeg,
770 describe LilyPond} in the October 2004 issue as: @qq{Wonderful
771 free (open source) software [@dots{}] The sheet music produced by
772 LilyPond is exceptionally pretty [@dots{}] a very powerful system that
773 can do almost anything.}
778 Dave Phillips wrote an introductory article for
779 @uref{http://linuxjournal.com,Linux Journal}: At
780 the sounding edge: LilyPond, parts
781 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7657, one} and
782 @uref{http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7719, two}.
788 @uref{http://www.all-day-breakfast.com/cannam/linux-musician/lilypond.html,interviewed}
789 Han-Wen Nienhuys and Jan Nieuwenhuizen on linuxmusician.com
790 (original site defunct). This interview was also reviewed in a
791 @uref{http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/03/13/2054227&tid=,
797 Jazz singer Gail Selkirk writes about
798 @uref{http://www.songbirdofswing.com/editorial_page/lilypond/,
799 Diving into LilyPond}. @qq{@dots{} you can make lead sheets or full
800 orchestral parts, and the results can be stunning.}
801 @uref{http://www.computermusic.co.uk/, Computer Music Special},
810 @divClass{column-right-top}
811 @subheading User testimonials
813 @divClass{testimonial-item}
814 @imageFloat{carter-brey,jpg, right}
815 @subsubheading @uref{http://nyphil.org/meet/orchestra/index.cfm?page=profile&personNum=7, Carter Brey}, Principal Cellist, New York Philharmonic
817 @qq{@dots{} I've written a couple of encore pieces for solo cello
818 which I've printed with LilyPond and which I'm going to submit to
819 Schirmer for publication. I'll bet their engraved version wouldn't
820 look half as sharp as mine!}
824 @divClass{testimonial-item}
825 @imageFloat{orm-finnendahl,jpg, left}
826 @subsubheading @uref{http://icem-www.folkwang-hochschule.de/~finnendahl/, Orm Finnendahl}, professor of Composition, Musikhochschule Freiburg
828 @qq{Although I don't know [LilyPond] very well yet, I'm
829 @strong{*very} impressed. I used the program to input a motet of
830 Josquin Desprez in mensural notation and there's no doubt that
831 lilypond outscores all other notation programs easily concerning
832 speed, ease of use and look!}
836 @divClass{testimonial-item}
837 @imageFloat{darius-blasband,jpg, right}
838 @subsubheading Darius Blasband, composer (Brussels, Belgium)
840 @qq{[..after the first orchestra rehearsal] I got numerous
841 compliments about the quality of the scores. Even more
842 importantly, while LilyPond provides numerous hacks to improve the
843 way its scores look, what the orchestra got from me is basically
844 the raw, untouched output.}
848 @divClass{testimonial-item}
849 @subsubheading Kieren MacMillan, composer (Toronto, Canada)
851 @qq{thanks and kudos to the development team for their incredible
852 work. I've never seen anything approaching the output that I get
853 from LilyPond -- I'm totally confident that my music publishing
854 needs will be fulfilled beyond my expectations using this great
855 application. [@dots{}] basically untweaked LilyPond output
856 [@dots{}] looks better than most recent @q{professional}
857 publications I've compared it to (q.v., just about any Warner
858 Bros. score, and even many of the most recent by @q{the old
859 houses}). [@dots{}]} @qq{Beat that, Finale/Sibelius/Igor/whatever!!!}
863 @divClass{testimonial-item}
864 @subsubheading Chris Cannam, lead programmer of the @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/, RoseGarden} project
866 @qq{LilyPond is obviously the zillion-ton gorilla [of great music
871 @divClass{testimonial-item}
872 @subsubheading Chris Snyder, @uref{http://www.adoromusicpub.com/, Adoro Music Publishing}
874 @qq{The way that music is entered for LilyPond causes me to think in a
875 more musical way -- there have been times when I've been stumped as
876 to how to tell Lily to engrave something, only to realize that
877 even if I did get it exactly as the composer wanted, the music
878 would be confusing to read. LilyPond makes it much easier for me
879 to work in my dual editor+engraver role.}
881 @qq{I've been using LilyPond exclusively for my fledgling music
882 publishing business. Virtually without exception, every composer
883 has been blown away by the quality of the engraving when presented
884 with the proofs of their music about to be published. I deserve
885 some of the credit for this -- I spend a lot of time tweaking
886 output, especially ties (mainly in chords) -- but LilyPond gives
887 me an excellent starting point, a very intuitive interface, and
888 the ability to modify absolutely anything if I want to take the
889 time. I'm convinced that no commercial product can come close.}
893 @divClass{testimonial-item}
894 @subsubheading David Bobroff, Bass Trombone, Iceland Symphony Orchestra
896 @qq{I think LilyPond is great [@dots{}] The more I learn about LilyPond
901 @divClass{testimonial-item}
902 @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})
904 @qq{I am super impressed with LilyPond [@dots{}]}
906 @qq{THIS IS THE BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!}
908 @qq{Thank you all SO MUCH for your hard work and dedication!}
912 @divClass{testimonial-item}
913 @subsubheading @uref{http://nicolas.sceaux.free.fr/, Nicolas Sceaux}, @uref{http://www.mutopiaproject.org/, Mutopia} contributor
915 @qq{I had a kind of hate-passion relationship with it. Passion
916 because the first score I saw was so amazing! The description of
917 LilyPond lies about its beautifulness, it is too modest! [@dots{}] as
918 LilyPond is getting always better, and as I look closer how things
919 are done in scheme, I have less and less frustrations. Anyway,
920 what I mean is: thank you for providing LilyPond, it is really
925 @divClass{testimonial-item}
926 @subsubheading @uref{http://www.troff.org/whoswho.html#werner, Werner Lemberg}, Conductor at the Theatre in Koblenz, Germany and distinguished GNU Hacker
928 @qq{Anyway, LilyPond does an amazingly good job!}
932 @divClass{testimonial-item}
933 @subsubheading Paul Davis, developer of @uref{http://jackaudio.org/, JACK} and @uref{http://www.ardour.org/, Ardour}
935 @qq{I think [LilyPond is] an incredible program, and it produces
936 wonderful, wonderful output. when i read an interview about it
937 last year, i was raving to several friends of mine about its
942 @divClass{testimonial-item}
943 @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)
945 @qq{I have the deepest respect towards LilyPond and towards its creators
946 and maintainers as I know from personal experience how difficult this
947 kind of software can be.}
951 @divClass{testimonial-item}
952 @subsubheading @uref{http://camerondh.blogspot.com, David Cameron}, Musician, professional typesetter and long time SCORE user
954 @qq{My heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to this project. I
955 was a power SCORE user for big typesetting houses way back in the '90s,
956 but I feel LilyPond finally makes it possible for me to get exactly what
957 I want on the page, especially when it isn't "standard" practice.}
962 @contactUsAbout{news articles or testimonals}
964 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
965 @subheading Where now?
967 Read about our @ref{Text input}.
973 @unnumberedsec Text input
975 @c TRANSLATORS, so far it's mostly from
976 @c http://lilypond.org/web/switch/howto
978 @subheading @qq{Compiling} Music
980 @imageClickable{nereid-shot-small,png, (click to enlarge), nereid-shot,png, right}
982 LilyPond is a @emph{compiled} system: it is run on a text file
983 describing the music. The resulting output is viewed on-screen or
984 printed. In some ways, LilyPond is more similar to a programming
985 language than graphical score editing software.
987 You do not write music by dragging notes from a graphical toolbar
988 and placing them on a dynamically refreshing score; you write
989 music by typing text. This text is interpreted (or @qq{compiled})
990 by LilyPond, which produces beautifully engraved sheet music.
992 People accustomed to graphical user interfaces might need to learn
993 a new way of working, but the results are definitely worth it!
995 @warning{We present a quick overview of our text input -- it's not
996 as complicated as it sounds! Don't worry about understanding
997 every detail in these examples; our beginner documentation covers
998 everything at a much more gradual pace.}
1001 @subsubheading It's as simple as A B C
1003 Notes are encoded with letters and numbers. Special commands are
1004 entered with backslashes.
1006 @imageFloat{text-input-1-annotate,png,center}
1007 @imageFloat{text-input-1-output,png,center}
1009 Alterations are made with different names: add @w{@code{-is}} for
1010 sharp, and @w{@code{-es}} for flat (these are Dutch note names, other
1011 languages are available). LilyPond figures out where to put
1014 @imageFloat{text-input-2-annotate,png,center}
1015 @imageFloat{text-input-2-output,png,center}
1018 @subsubheading Pop music
1020 Put chords and lyrics together to get a lead sheet:
1022 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-annotate,png,center}
1023 @imageFloat{text-input-pop-output,png,center}
1027 @subsubheading Orchestral parts
1029 The input file contains the notes of piece of music. Score and
1030 parts can be made from a single input file, so that changing a
1031 note always affects the score and parts. To be able to include
1032 the same music in multiple places, the music is assigned to a
1033 @qq{variable} (a name).
1035 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-both-annotate,png,center}
1038 This variable is then used in a single part (here transposed, with
1039 condensed rests spanning several measures):
1041 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-annotate,png,center}
1042 @imageFloat{text-input-parts-single-output,png,center}
1045 The same variable is used in the full score (here in concert
1048 @imageFloat{text-input-score-annotate,png,center}
1049 @imageFloat{text-input-score-output,png,center}
1052 @subsubheading Beginner Documentation
1054 We realize that many users find this way of entering music a bit
1055 odd. For this reason, we have written extensive documentation to
1056 help new users, beginning with @ref{Learning}. The Learning
1057 Manual is the best place to start, as many questions are answered
1058 before they come up!
1060 Please read the Learning Manual before complaining about bugs!
1061 New users occasionally believe that LilyPond is not working
1062 correctly, when in fact it is working precisely as designed.
1064 More in-depth information is available in @ref{Manuals}.
1066 Ben Lemon, a LilyPond user, has created a range of
1067 @uref{http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond/,video tutorials}
1068 on his blog and which are aimed at new users.
1071 @subsubheading Easier editing environments
1073 @imageClickable{lilykde-screenshot-small,png,
1074 (click to enlarge),lilykde-screenshot,png,right}
1076 LilyPond is primarily concerned with producing top-quality
1077 engraved sheet music; creating a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
1078 would distract us from this goal. However, there are other
1079 projects aimed at making it easier to create LilyPond input files.
1081 Some editing environments include syntax highlighting, automatic
1082 command completion, and pre-made templates. Other programs
1083 actually provide a GUI which allows direct manipulation of a
1084 graphical score. For more information, see @ref{Easier editing}.
1088 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1089 @subheading Where now?
1091 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}. Still not
1092 convinced? Read about @ref{Easier editing}.
1097 @node Easier editing
1098 @unnumberedsec Easier editing
1101 GNU policy forbids us from linking to non-Free software, so don't
1104 In particular, don't link to:
1105 - the LilyPond bundle for TextMate (a commercial editor for MacOS).
1109 @divClass{column-center-top}
1112 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1113 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1114 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1115 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1117 @uref{http://www.tunefl.com}
1119 With tunefl you can typeset your scores directly online
1120 without needing to install LilyPond locally. It allows
1121 trying out all the program's features using a convenient
1126 @divClass{column-center-top}
1127 @subheading LilyPondTool
1129 @imageClickable{lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot-400wide,png,
1130 (click to enlarge),lilypondtool-2.12-screenshot,png,right}
1132 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1133 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1134 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1135 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1137 @uref{http://lilypondtool.organum.hu}
1139 Created as a plugin for the
1140 @uref{http://www.jedit.org,jEdit} text editor,
1141 LilyPondTool is one of the most feature-rich text-based tools for
1142 editing LilyPond scores. Its features include a Document Wizard
1143 with lyrics support to set up documents easier, and embedded PDF
1144 viewer with advanced point-and-click support.
1148 @divClass{column-center-top}
1149 @subheading Frescobaldi
1151 @imageClickable{frescobaldi-lilypond-editor-small,png,
1152 (click to enlarge),frescobaldi-lilypond-editor,png,right}
1154 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1155 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1156 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1158 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org}
1160 Frescobaldi is lightweight, yet powerful LilyPond music and text editor
1161 with a built-in PDF viewer. It is easy to use and will run on all major
1162 operating systems (GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows).
1166 @divClass{column-center-top}
1169 @imageClickable{screenshot-denemo-small,png,
1170 (click to enlarge),screenshot-denemo,png,right}
1172 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1173 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1175 @uref{http://denemo.org}
1177 Denemo is a graphical editor which generates LilyPond source code,
1178 and also allows audio playback. It allows users to view the
1179 LilyPond source code in parallel to the graphical view. Extra
1180 LilyPond tweaks can be attached to notes, chords etc. and are stored
1181 with the Denemo file, so that users can continue to edit graphically.
1183 Moving the cursor in the LilyPond text moves the cursor in the graphical
1184 view, and any syntax errors in your LilyPond tweaks are highlighted in
1185 the text view when printed from there.
1189 @divClass{column-center-top}
1190 @subheading Text editors
1192 @sourceimage{logo-linux,,,}
1193 @sourceimage{logo-freebsd,,,}
1194 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1195 @sourceimage{logo-windows,,,}
1197 @uref{http://elysium.thsoft.hu}
1199 Elysium is a LilyPond IDE for Eclipse with an integrated, side-by-side
1200 view for source and score. It includes rapid visual & auditive feedback
1201 without having to switch contexts, and comes with many wizard-driven
1204 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/}
1206 Emacs is a text editor with language-sensitive capabilities for
1207 many different computer languages. Emacs is a highly extensible
1208 editor and can be used as an Integrated Development Environment.
1209 There is a @q{lilypond mode} which supplies the language
1210 definitions for working with LilyPond source files. A developer
1211 has written @uref{https://github.com/nsceaux/lyqi,lyqi}, an Emacs major
1214 @uref{http://www.vim.org}
1216 Vim is a minimal text editor and is an extension of the older Unix
1217 @command{vi} editor. It is also extensible and configurable.
1219 As a general rule, if you are not already familiar with Emacs or
1220 Vim, then you would probably prefer to use a different editor for
1221 writing LilyPond input files.
1223 More information on setting up Emacs and Vim can be found in
1224 @rprogram{Text editor support}.
1226 @sourceimage{logo-macosx,,,}
1227 @uref{http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop}
1229 The TexShop editor for MacOS@tie{}X can be extended to run LilyPond,
1230 @command{lilypond-book} and @command{convert-ly} from within the editor,
1231 using the extensions available at:
1234 @uref{http://users.dimi.uniud.it/~nicola.vitacolonna/home/content/lilypond-scripts}
1239 @divClass{column-center-top}
1240 @subheading Programs that can export LilyPond code
1243 @subsubheading Score, tab and MIDI editors:
1248 @uref{http://www.jezra.net/projects/bwwtolily,bwwtolily} attempts to
1249 convert a @code{.bww} or @code{.bmw} file to LilyPond. While not all of
1250 the embellishments may get converted properly (this is especially true
1251 with piobaireachd), the program will list them.
1254 @uref{http://www.canorus.org,Canorus}, a score editor, can also export
1255 to LilyPond, but is still beta-software. Testers are welcome, though.
1258 @uref{http://enc2ly.sourceforge.net/en/,Enc2ly} is a GNU/Linux program
1259 which converts an @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} music score into
1263 @uref{https://github.com/hanwen/go-enc2ly,go-enc2ly} is a Go tool that
1264 converts @uref{http://www.gvox.com/,Encore} files to LilyPond. It was
1265 created using Felipe Castro's research and reverse engineering by
1266 tweaking existing .enc files and loading them using the 4.55 demo
1270 @uref{http://www.musescore.org,MuseScore}, a score editor, has
1271 incomplete LilyPond export but is being actively developed.
1274 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd},
1275 a score editor based on the @uref{http://www.cairographics.org,Cairo}
1276 library, it has experimental support for exporting to LilyPond.
1279 @uref{http://www.holmessoft.co.uk/homepage/software/NWC2LY/index.htm,NW2LY}
1280 is a C# program which converts a NoteWorthy composer song into LilyPond.
1283 @uref{https://github.com/ciconia/ripple/blob/master/README.markdown,Ripple}
1284 is a program that helps create scores and parts, including a mode for
1285 mixing different musical works together in a single score or part.
1288 @uref{http://www.rosegardenmusic.com,Rosegarden}, an audio and MIDI
1289 sequencer, which also has a score editor for single-staff editing.
1292 @uref{https://launchpad.net/rumor/,Rumor}, a realtime monophonic
1293 MIDI-to-LilyPond converter.
1296 @uref{http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/,TuxGuitar}, a multitrack tablature
1297 editor and player, includes a score viewer and can export to LilyPond.
1301 @subsubheading Algorithmic code generators
1306 @uref{http://www.projectabjad.org/,Abjad}, a
1307 @uref{http://www.python.org/,Python} API for Formalized Score Control
1308 designed to help composers build up complex pieces of LilyPond notation
1309 in an iterative and incremental way.
1312 @uref{http://common-lisp.net/project/fomus/,FOMUS}, (FOrmat MUSic) is a
1313 music notation tool for computer music composers. It is written in the
1314 Lisp programming language, and has been tested in a variety of
1315 interpreters. A C++ port is also available.
1318 @uref{http://strasheela.sourceforge.net/strasheela/doc/index.html,Strasheela},
1319 an environment built on top of the
1320 @uref{http://www.mozart-oz.org/, Mozart/Oz} constraint programming
1326 @divClass{column-center-top}
1328 @subheading Other programs not being actively developed
1333 @uref{http://lilykde.googlecode.com/,LilyKDE} has been replaced by
1334 @uref{http://www.frescobaldi.org/,Frescobaldi}, and exists as LilyKDE3
1335 for KDE 3.5 and lilypond-KDE4 for KDE 4.1 only.
1338 @uref{http://noteedit.berlios.de,NoteEdit}, which imported
1339 @uref{http://www.makemusic.com/musicxml,MusicXML}, has been forked
1341 @uref{http://vsr.informatik.tu-chemnitz.de/staff/jan/nted/nted.xhtml,NtEd}
1342 and @uref{http://canorus.org,Canorus}.
1346 @uref{http://lilycomp.sourceforge.net, LilyComp} is a graphical
1347 note entry program, acting much like a number-pad which produces
1355 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
1356 @subheading Where now?
1358 You are now ready to @ref{Download, Download LilyPond}.
1360 Still not convinced? Many composers, musicians, and conductors
1361 have learned how to write music in our input format. Experienced
1362 users even report that they can enter a full score in LilyPond
1363 faster than with a piano keyboard or mouse+GUI! Perhaps you would
1364 like to review the @ref{Features}, @ref{Examples}, or the
1365 @ref{Freedom} that LilyPond provides, or read about users'
1366 @ref{Productions} and @ref{Reviews}. In addition, our
1367 approach to the computational aesthetics of classical engraving is
1368 explained in our @ref{Background}.
1371 @subheading Legalese
1374 All logos and product images are copyright and trademark