Adding articulation marks to notes - GNU LilyPond
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### 2.9 Adding articulation marks to notes

Common accents can be added to a note using a dash (``-`') and a single character

>          c-.  c-- c-> c-^ c-+ c-_

Similarly, fingering indications can be added to a note using a dash (``-`') and the digit to be printed

>          c-3 e-5 b-2 a-1

Articulations and fingerings are usually placed automatically, but you can specify a direction using ``^`' (up) or ``_`' (down). You can also use multiple articulations on the same note. In most cases, however, it is best to let LilyPond determine the articulation directions.

>          c_-^1 d^. f^4_2-> e^-_+

Dynamic signs are made by adding the markings (with a backslash) to the note

>          c\ff c\mf

Crescendi and decrescendi are started with the commands `\<` and `\>`. An ending dynamic, for example `\f`, will finish the (de)crescendo, or the command `\!` can be used

>          c2\< c2\ff\> c2 c2\!

A slur is a curve drawn across many notes, and indicates legato articulation. The starting note and ending note are marked with ``(`' and ``)`', respectively

>          d4( c16) cis( d e c cis d) e( d4)

A slur looks like a tie, but it has a different meaning. A tie simply makes the first note sound longer, and can only be used on pairs of notes with the same pitch. Slurs indicate the articulations of notes, and can be used on larger groups of notes. Slurs and ties can be nested

Slurs to indicate phrasing can be entered with `\(` and `\)`, so you can have both legato slurs and phrasing slurs at the same time. You cannot have simultaneous slurs or simultaneous phrasing slurs.

>          a8(\( ais b c) cis2 b'2 a4 cis, c\)

For more information on

> Fingering
>   see Fingering instructions.
> Articulations
>   see Articulations.
> Slurs
>   see Slurs.
> Phrasing slurs
>   see Phrasing slurs.
> Dynamics
>   see Dynamics.

This page is for LilyPond-2.8.8 (stable-branch).

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