LilyPond

What is LilyPond?

LilyPond is a text-based computer program designed for professional-quality music engraving. Its primary objective is to generate sheet music that reflects the meticulous hand-engraved aesthetic of traditional scores, rather than a mechanical, digitally-produced appearance. LilyPond utilizes a straightforward text-based input notation that users can learn to interpret and employ. This input is then processed through a series of stages, ultimately outputting the music notation in various graphical formats such as PDF, SVG, or PNG. Furthermore, LilyPond can generate MIDI files corresponding to the notated music, facilitating playback and preservation of the compositions

Highlights

• Text-based input notation for intuitive score creation
• Outputs music notation in high-quality graphical formats (PDF, SVG, PNG)
• Generates MIDI files to enable playback and storage of compositions
• Adheres to the WYSIWYM (What You See Is What You Mean) paradigm, similar to LaTeX document preparation