Help:List of musical symbols

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List of musical symbols

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A list of musical symbols with the codes and techniques necessary to create them on Wikisource.

Simple

Symbol	Name	LilyPond syntax	ABC syntax	Notes
${ \relative c'' { b1 b2 b4 b8 b16} }$	Whole note (semibreve), Half note (minim), Quarter note (crotchet), Eighth note (quaver), Sixteenth note (semiquaver)	`b1 b2 b4 b8 b16`	B8 B4 B2 B1 (or B) B1/2 (or B/)	ABC works with default note length, varying depending on meter. You can set the default note length: `L:1/8` for a default note length of an eighth note (quaver) The examples below assumes a default note length of 1/4 unless otherwise specified.
${ \relative c'' { b4. b2. b4.. b2.. } }$	Dotted note	`b4. b2. b4.. b2..`	`B3/2 B3 B7/4 B7/2`	In LilyPond, dotted notes must always have a specified, numeric duration. In ABC there is a shortcut for a dotted note followed by a note half the value of the undotted one. For example a dotted quarter note followed by an eighth: `B>B` This works the with an eighth followed by a quarter as well: `B<B`
${ \relative c'' { b8[ d c b] } }$	Beam	`b8[ d c b]`	`B/d/c/B/`
${ \relative c'' { <a d> <a c e> } }$	Chord	`<a d> <a c e>`	`[Ad] [Ace]`
${ \relative c'' { b$ b b b$ } }$	Phrase	`b$ b b b$`	`(B B B B)`
${ \relative c'' { r2 r4 r8 r16 } }$	Rest	`r2 r4 r8 r16`	`z z/2 z/4`
${ \relative c'' { g( b d) } }$	Slur	`g( b d)`	`(G B d)`
${ \relative c'' { b~ b } }$	Tie	`b~ b`	`B-B`

Accidentals

Symbol	Name	LilyPond syntax	ABC syntax	Notes
${ \relative c'' { bes } }$	Flat	`bes` (note + es)	`_B`	A-flat and E-flat can also be entered as "as" and "es" (respectively) in Lilypond.
${ \relative c'' { beses } }$	Double flat	`beses` (note + eses)	`__B`
${ \relative c'' { bis } }$	Sharp	`bis` (note + is)	`^B`
${ \relative c'' { bisis } }$	Double sharp	`bisis` (note + isis)	`^^B`

Clefs

Symbol	Name	LilyPond syntax	ABC syntax	Notes
${ \clef treble s1 }$	Treble clef	`\clef treble \clef G`	`[K: clef=treble] [K: clef=G] [K: clef=G2]`	For voice `[V:1 clef=G]` or key `[K:C clef=G]` The numbers for the clefs are the lines where the clef is centered, counted from the lowest. The square brackets are used for change inside the tune. At the start, use `K:Dm clef=F` for in d minor noted with bass clef.
${ \clef french s1 }$	French clef	`\clef french`	`[K: clef=G1]`
${ \clef bass s1 }$	Bass clef	`\clef bass \clef F`	`[K: clef=bass] [K: clef=F] [K: clef=F4]`
${ \clef varbaritone s1 }$	Varbaritone clef	`\clef varbaritone`	`[K: clef=F3]`
${ \clef subbass s1 }$	Subbass clef	`\clef subbass`	`[K: clef=F5]`
${ \clef alto s1 }$	Alto clef	`\clef alto \clef C`	`[K: clef=alto] [K: clef=C] [K: clef=C3]`
${ \clef tenor s1 }$	Tenor clef	`\clef tenor`	`[K: clef=tenor] [K: clef=C4]`
${ \clef soprano s1 }$	Soprano clef	`\clef soprano`	`[K: clef=alto1] [K: clef=C1]`
${ \clef mezzosoprano s1 }$	Mezzosoprano clef	`\clef mezzosoprano`	`[K: clef=alto2] [K: clef=C2]`
${ \clef baritone s1 }$	Baritone clef	`\clef baritone`	`[K: clef=alto5] [K: clef=C5]`
${ \clef percussion s1 }$	Percussion clef	`\clef percussion`

Rhythm and key

Symbol	Name	LilyPond syntax	ABC syntax
${ \relative c'' { \time 2/4 s2 } }$	Time signature	`\time 2/4`	`M:2/4`
${ \relative c'' { \key b \minor s1 } }$	Key signature	`\key b \minor`	`K:Bm K:D`
${ \relative c'' { \tempo 4 = 120 s1 } }$	Metronome marks	`\tempo 4 = 120`	`Q:1/4=120`
${ \relative c'' { \tempo "Allegro" s1 } }$	Textual tempo indication	`\tempo "Allegro"`	`Q: "Allegro"`
${ \relative c'' { \tempo "Allegro" 4 = 120 s1 } }$	Tempo & metronome marks	`\tempo "Allegro" 4 = 120`	`Q: "Allegro" 1/4=120`

Dynamics

Symbol	Name	LilyPond syntax	ABC syntax
${ \relative c'' { b\< b b\! } }$	Crescendo	`b\< b b\!`	`!<(!B B B!<)!`
${ \relative c'' { b\> b b\! } }$	Diminuendo or Decrescendo	`b\> b b\!`	`!>(!B B B!>)!`
${ \relative c'' { b\ppp } }$	Pianississimo	`b\ppp`	`!ppp!B`
${ \relative c'' { b\pp } }$	Pianissimo	`b\pp`	`!pp!B`
${ \relative c'' { b\p } }$	Piano	`b\p`	`!p!B`
${ \relative c'' { b\mp } }$	Mezzo piano	`b\mp`	`!mp!B`
${ \relative c'' { b\mf } }$	Mezzo forte	`b\mf`	`!mf!B`
${ \relative c'' { b\f } }$	Forte	`b\f`	`!f!B`
${ \relative c'' { b\ff } }$	Fortissimo	`b\ff`	`!ff!B`
${ \relative c'' { b\fff } }$	Fortississimo	`b\fff`	`!fff!B`
${ \relative c'' { b\sfz } }$	Sforzando	`b\sfz`	`!sfz!B`
${ \relative c'' { b\fp } }$	Forte-piano	`b\fp`

Articulations

Symbol	Name	LilyPond syntax
${ \relative c'' { b-. } }$	Staccato	`b-.` or `b\staccato`
${ \relative c'' { b-! } }$	Staccatissimo or Spiccato	`b-!` or `b\staccatissimo`
${ \relative c'' { b-> } }$	Accent	`b->` or `b\accent`
${ \relative c'' { b-- } }$	Tenuto	`b--` or `b\tenuto`
${ \relative c'' { b-^ } }$	Marcato	`b-^` or `b\marcato`
${ \relative c'' { b-+ } }$	Stopped note or Pizzicato	`b-+` or `b\stopped`
${ \relative c'' { b-_ } }$	Portato	`b-_` or `b\portato`
${ \relative c'' { b\espressivo } }$	Espressivo	`b\espressivo`
${ \relative c'' { b\fermata } }$	Fermata	`b\fermata`
${ \relative c'' { b\shortfermata } }$	Short fermata	`b\shortfermata`
${ \relative c'' { b\longfermata } }$	Long fermata	`b\longfermata`
${ \relative c'' { b\verylongfermata } }$	Very long fermata	`b\verylongfermata`
${ \relative c'' { b\open } }$	Open note	`b\open`
${ \relative c'' { b\flageolet } }$	Flageolet or Natural harmonic	`b\flageolet`
${ \relative c'' { b\halfopen } }$	Half open note	`b\halfopen`
${ \relative c'' { b\snappizzicato } }$	Snap pizzicato	`b\snappizzicato`
${ \relative c'' { b\upbow } }$	Up bow or Sull'arco	`b\upbow`
${ \relative c'' { b\downbow } }$	Down bow or Giù arco	`b\downbow`
${ \relative c'' { b\thumb } }$	Thumb	`b\thumb`
${ \relative c'' { b\lheel } }$	Left-foot heel pedal mark	`b\lheel`
${ \relative c'' { b\rheel } }$	Right-foot heel pedal mark	`b\rheel`
${ \relative c'' { b\ltoe } }$	Left-foot toe pedal mark	`b\ltoe`
${ \relative c'' { b\rtoe } }$	Right-foot toe pedal mark	`b\rtoe`

Ornaments

Symbol	Name	LilyPond syntax
${ \relative c'' { s b\trill } }$	Trill	`b\trill`
${ \relative c'' { s b\prall } }$	Upper mordent or Pralltriller	`b\prall`
${ \relative c'' { s b\mordent } }$	Lower mordent	`b\mordent`
${ \relative c'' { s b\turn } }$	Turn	`b\turn`
${ \relative c'' { s b\reverseturn } }$	Reverse turn	`b\reverseturn`
${ \relative c'' { s \grace b8 b4 } }$	Grace note	`\grace b8 b4`
${ \relative c'' { s \appoggiatura b8 b4 } }$	Appoggiatura	`\appoggiatura b8 b4`
${ \relative c'' { s \acciaccatura b8 b4 } }$	Acciaccatura	`\acciaccatura b8 b4`

NB: The following variations on the mordent also exist: prallmordent, upprall, downprall, upmordent, downmordent, lineprall, prallprall, pralldown and prallup.

Repetition

Bar lines

Symbol	Name	LilyPond syntax	ABC syntax	Notes
${ \relative c'' { s1 s1 \bar "\|" } }$	Standard bar Standard bar-line	`\bar "\|"`	`\|`	Standard divider between bars (or measures) of music of set length
${ \relative c'' { s1 s1 \bar "." } }$		`\bar "."`
${ \relative c'' { s1 s1 \bar "\|\|" } }$	Double bar Double bar-line	`\bar "\|\|"`	`\|\|`	Separates two sections of music
${ \relative c'' { s1 s1 \bar ".\|" } }$		`\bar ".\|"`
${ \relative c'' { s1 s1 \bar ".." } }$	Bold double bar Bold double-line Heavy double	`\bar ".."`
${ \relative c'' { s1 s1 \bar "\|.\|" } }$		`\bar "\|.\|"`
${ \relative c'' { s1 s1 \bar "\|." } }$	End	`\bar "\|."`	`\|]`	Indicates the end of a piece of music
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar ";" s1 } }$	Dotted bar Dotted bar-line	`\bar ";"`	`:`
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar "!" s1 } }$	Dashed bar Dashed bar-line	`\bar "!"`
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar ".\|:" s1 } }$	Begin repeat	`\bar ".\|:"`	`\|:`	Indicates the beginning of a section to be repeated
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar ":..:" s1 } }$		`\bar ":..:"`
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar ":\|.\|:" s1 } }$	Begin and end repeat	`\bar ":\|.\|:"`	`::`	Indicates the end of one repeated section and the beginning of another
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar ":\|.:" s1 } }$		`\bar ":\|.:"`
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar ":\|." s1 } }$	Repeat bar-line Repeat sign	`\bar ":\|."`	`:\|`	Indicates the end of a section to be repeated
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar ":.\|.:" s1 } }$		`\bar ":.\|.:"`
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar "[\|:" s1 } }$		`\bar "[\|:"`
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar ":\|]" s1 } }$		`\bar ":\|]"`
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar ":\|][\|:" s1 } }$		`\bar ":\|][\|:"`
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar "'" s1 } }$		`\bar "'"`	`!shortphrase!`
${ \relative c'' { s1 \bar "S" s1 } }$	In-line segno	`\bar "S"`		Alternative repeat sign

Other

Symbol	Name	LilyPond syntax	ABC syntax	Notes
${ \relative c'' { b4 b^Foo b b } }$	Text	`b4 b^Foo b b`	`B "^ Foo" B B B`

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