Multiple notes to one syllable

Sometimes, particularly in Medieval and baroque music, several notes are sung on one syllable; this is called melisma, see melisma. The syllable to a melisma is usually left-aligned with the first note of the melisma.

When a melisma occurs on a syllable other than the last one in a word, that syllable is usually joined to the following one with a hyphenated line. This is indicated by placing a double hyphen, --, immediately after the syllable.

Alternatively, when a melisma occurs on the last or only syllable in a word an extender line is usually drawn from the end of the syllable to the last note of the melisma. This is indicated by placing a double underscore, __, immediately after the word.

There are five ways in which melismata can be indicated:

It is possible to have ties, slurs and manual beams in the melody without their indicating melismata. To do this, set melismaBusyProperties:

<<
  \new Voice = "melody" \relative {
    \time 3/4
    \set melismaBusyProperties = #'()
    c'4 d ( e )
    g8 [ f ] f4 ~ 4
  }
  \new Lyrics \lyricsto "melody" {
    Ky -- ri -- e e -- le -- i -- son
  }
>>

[image of music]

Other settings for melismaBusyProperties can be used to selectively include or exclude ties, slurs, and beams from the automatic detection of melismata; see melismaBusyProperties in Tunable context properties.

Alternatively, if all melismata indications are to be ignored, ignoreMelismata may be set true; see Stanzas with different rhythms.

If a melisma is required during a passage in which melismaBusyProperties is active, it may be indicated by placing a single underscore in the lyrics for each note which should be included in the melisma:

<<
  \new Voice = "melody" \relative {
    \time 3/4
    \set melismaBusyProperties = #'()
    c'4 d ( e )
    g8 [ f ] ~ 4 ~ f
  }
  \new Lyrics \lyricsto "melody" {
    Ky -- ri -- _ e __ _ _ _
  }
>>

[image of music]

Predefined commands

\autoBeamOff, \autoBeamOn, \melisma, \melismaEnd.

See also

Musical Glossary: melisma.

Learning Manual: Aligning lyrics to a melody.

Notation Reference: Aligning lyrics to a melody, Automatic syllable durations, Setting automatic beam behavior, Stanzas with different rhythms.

Internals Reference: Tunable context properties.

Known issues and warnings

Extender lines under melismata are not created automatically; they must be inserted manually with a double underscore.


LilyPond Notation Reference v2.25.14 (development-branch).