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Writing, or rewriting, your musical scores digitally can be a tedious business.
In this time and age, it’s simplynot doneto compose your scores on a napkin.
Earlier this week, we already explored several freeware alternatives with3 Tools To Write Your Own Sheet Music Online.
There’s a reason why I’m not showing you a fancy screenshot below.
You see, LilyPond doesn’t have a GUI - Graphical User Interface.
In other words, it’s completely text-based.
c’mon stop screaming, and allow me to explain.
Scripting Language
This text input obviously cannot be random.
To append structure, LilyPond uses a sort of scripting language.
With it, you could compose almost any thinkable score of music.
Incomprehensibly difficult arrangements will be lined out automatically.
And you’re free to do it from Notepad, Open Office, or Microsoft Word!
Incredibly Fast
Of course, LilyPond focuses on a very specific niche of composers.
For simple, casual use, I would not recommend it.
But the next step, of course, isprofit!
With LilyPond, you’re free to write down your music almost as fast as you key in.
That is to say, quite fast.
In short, LilyPond is what you get when you cut off all unnecessary corners.
No more time wasted with the visual aspects of your score.
Just give LilyPond the input, and you’ll have a great-looking score within seconds.
Quick Start & Tutorials
I couldn’t have explained everything in about LilyPond in just one article.
