6.6.1 Articulations

A variety of symbols can appear above and below notes to indicate different characteristics of the performance. They are added to a note by adding a dash and the character signifying the articulation. They are demonstrated here

The meanings of these shorthands can be changed. See ly/script-init.ly for examples.

The script is automatically placed, but the direction can be forced as well. Like other pieces of LilyPond code, _ will place them below the staff, and ^ will place them above.

     
     c''4^^ c''4_^

Other symbols can be added using the syntax note\name. Again, they can be forced up or down using ^ and _, e.g.,

     
     c\fermata c^\fermata c_\fermata

Here is a chart showing all scripts available,

Commonly tweaked properties

The vertical ordering of scripts is controlled with the script-priority property. The lower this number, the closer it will be put to the note. In this example, the TextScript (the sharp symbol) first has the lowest priority, so it is put lowest in the first example. In the second, the prall trill (the Script) has the lowest, so it is on the inside. When two objects have the same priority, the order in which they are entered decides which one comes first.

     
     \once \override TextScript #'script-priority = #-100
     a4^\prall^\markup { \sharp }
     
     \once \override Script #'script-priority = #-100
     a4^\prall^\markup { \sharp }

See also

Program reference: Script.

Bugs

These signs appear in the printed output but have no effect on the MIDI rendering of the music.

Other languages: French.