GNU LilyPond

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Dynamics

Absolute dynamic marks are specified using an identifier after a note: c4-\ff. The available dynamic marks are: \ppp, \pp, \p, \mp, \mf, \f, \ff, \fff, \fff, \fp, \sf, \sff, \sp, \spp, \sfz, and \rfz.

       c'\ppp c\pp c \p c\mp c\mf c\f c\ff c\fff
       c2\sf c\rfz
     

A crescendo mark is started with \cr and terminated with \rc (the textual reverse of cr). A decrescendo mark is started with \decr and terminated with \rced. There are also shorthands for these marks. A crescendo can be started with \< and a decrescendo can be started with \>. Either one can be terminated with \!. Note that \! must go before the last note of the dynamic mark whereas \rc and \rced go after the last note. Because these marks are bound to notes, if you want several marks during one note, you have to use spacer notes.

       c'' \< \! c''   d'' \decr e'' \rced
       < f''1 { s4 s4 \< \! s4 \> \! s4 } >
     

You can also use a text saying cresc. instead of hairpins. Here is an example how to do it:

       c4 \cresc c4 \endcresc c4
     

You can also supply your own texts:

       \context Voice {
         \property Voice.crescendoText = "cresc. poco"
         \property Voice.crescendoSpanner = #'dashed-line
         a'2\mf\< a a \!a
       }
     

Dynamics are objects of DynamicText and Hairpin . Vertical positioning of these symbols is handled by the DynamicLineSpanner object. If you want to adjust padding or vertical direction of the dynamics, you must set properties for the DynamicLineSpanner object. Predefined identifiers to set the vertical direction are \dynamicUp and \dynamicDown.