lilypond-web: Text input
Text input
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“Compiling” Music
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LilyPond is a _compiled_ system: it is run on a text file describing the
music. The resulting output is viewed on-screen or printed. In some
ways, LilyPond is more similar to a programming language than graphical
score editing software.
You do not write music by dragging notes from a graphical toolbar and
placing them on a dynamically refreshing score; you write music by
typing text. This text is interpreted (or “compiled”) by LilyPond,
which produces beautifully engraved sheet music.
People accustomed to graphical user interfaces might need to learn a
new way of working, but the results are definitely worth it!
Note: We present a quick overview of our text input – it’s not
as complicated as it sounds! Don’t worry about understanding
every detail in these examples; our beginner documentation
covers everything at a much more gradual pace.
It’s as simple as A B C
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Notes are encoded with letters and numbers. Special commands are
entered with backslashes.
[png][png]
Alterations are made with different names: add ‘-is’ for sharp, and
‘-es’ for flat (these are Dutch note names, other languages are
available). LilyPond figures out where to put accidentals.
[png][png]
Pop music
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Put chords and lyrics together to get a lead sheet:
[png][png]
Orchestral parts
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The input file contains the notes of piece of music. Score and parts
can be made from a single input file, so that changing a note always
affects the score and parts. To be able to include the same music in
multiple places, the music is assigned to a “variable” (a name).
[png]
This variable is then used in a single part (here transposed, with
condensed rests spanning several measures):
[png][png]
The same variable is used in the full score (here in concert pitch):
[png][png]
Beginner Documentation
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We realize that many users find this way of entering music a bit odd.
For this reason, we have written extensive documentation to help new
users, beginning with 
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.
More in-depth information is available in Manuals.
Ben Lemon, a LilyPond user, has created a range of video tutorials
(http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond/) on his blog
and which are aimed at new users.
Easier editing environments
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LilyPond is primarily concerned with producing top-quality engraved
sheet music; creating a Graphical User Interface (GUI) would distract us
from this goal. However, there are other projects aimed at making it
easier to create LilyPond input files.
Some editing environments include syntax highlighting, automatic
command completion, and pre-made templates. Other programs actually
provide a GUI which allows direct manipulation of a graphical score.
For more information, see Easier editing.
Where now?
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You are now ready to Download LilyPond Download. Still not
convinced? Read about Easier editing.
Info Catalog
lilypond-web: Reviews
lilypond-web: Introduction
lilypond-web: Easier editing