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LilyPond for Mac

Automated engraving system, formats music.

Free
In English
4.7
Based on 8 user rates

LilyPond overview

LilyPond is an automated engraving system. It formats music beautifully and automatically, and has a friendly syntax for its input files.

The inspiration for LilyPond came when two musicians got annoyed with the bland and boring look of computer print-outs. Every musician prefers reading beautiful music, so couldn't we programmers solve that printing problem?

LilyPond just does that: it prints music in the best traditions of classical engraving with minimum fuss. Don't waste time on tuning spacing, moving around symbols, or shaping slurs. Impress friends and colleagues with sharp sheet music!

What’s new in version 2.24.1

  • Pitches improvements
  • Rhythm improvements
  • Expressive mark improvements
  • Repeat improvements
  • Editorial annotation improvements
  • Text improvements
  • Fretted string instrument improvements
  • Percussion improvements
  • Wind instrument improvements
  • Chord notation improvements
  • Ancient notation improvements
  • World music improvements

Full changelog available here.

View older LilyPond versions

LilyPond for Mac

Free
In English
Version 2.24.1
Write a detailed review about LilyPond

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4.7

(19 Reviews of LilyPond)

  • Comments

  • User Ratings

gilbertmackay
gilbertmackay
Jan 18 2023
2.22.2-1
0.0
Jan 18 2023
0.0
Version: 2.22.2-1
I loved Lilypond, used with Frescobaldi, for writing bagpipe music on my Windows laptop. Unfortunately, the version on this site (and any other) refuses to load on our new MacBook Air which, after one day's acquaintance, I already hate with a vengeance.
anonymous-mole
anonymous-mole
Mar 3 2020
2.20.0-1
0.0
Mar 3 2020
0.0
Version: 2.20.0-1
The latest downloadable version won't run on Catalina. Users of macOS 10.15 will have to compile Lilypond from source code.
Wts
Wts
Mar 16 2015
2.19.17-1
0.0
Mar 16 2015
0.0
Version: 2.19.17-1
I installed this notation programme and it produced a PDF file. How do i play that file. MacUpdate comments that LilyPond is an automated engraving system. It formats music beautifully and automatically, and has a friendly syntax for its input files. Reading the manual for example: You do not write music by dragging notes from a graphical toolbar and placing them on a dynamically refreshing score; you write music by typing text. Taking look at the example: wow! that seems to be harder then working with my most current versions of Sibelius or Finale or even the most rudimentary computer notation programmes. And then in the end how do you listen to the results except in your minds ear when reading ( playing in your head ) the score.
lemon-kun
lemon-kun
Mar 2 2015
2.19.15-1
5.0
Mar 2 2015
5.0
Version: 2.19.15-1
When used with "Frescobaldi" (an app which lets you see all results of your code immediately), Lilypond is one of the easiest to use music notation apps out there. Maybe even the easiest to use. And well, for sure the one with the best output with the least amount of tweaking. I have/had licenses for both Finale and Sibelius and I wished I'd had met Lilypond/Frescobaldi earlier…
Cunamara
Cunamara
Jun 9 2014
2.19.7-1
4.0
Jun 9 2014
4.0
Version: 2.19.7-1
I've been using Lilypond for about four years, using it to write lead sheets for jazz combos. The learning curve is steep but the tutorials will get you through that. Once you have templates set up for the kind of music you want to engrave, it becomes quick and efficient. I can go from manuscript to a lead sheet for concert, Bb horns, Eb horns and bass in 15 minutes with beautiful and easily readable music to hand to my bandmates. Another band member who uses Finale produces much inferior charts that are harder to read. Pairing Lilypond with a dedicated editor such as Frescobaldi makes it so much easier to use, also, but any text editor can be used.
ian42west
ian42west
Aug 12 2023
2.24.1
4.0
Aug 12 2023
4.0
Version: 2.24.1
lemon-kun
lemon-kun
Mar 2 2015
5.0
Mar 2 2015
5.0
Version: null
Cunamara
Cunamara
Jun 9 2014
4.0
Jun 9 2014
4.0
Version: null
Jazzyguy
Jazzyguy
Mar 4 2014
5.0
Mar 4 2014
5.0
Version: null
Willy-Software-Addict
Willy-Software-Addict
Jan 21 2014
5.0
Jan 21 2014
5.0
Version: null
Diogo-Cocharro
Diogo-Cocharro
Feb 10 2011
5.0
Feb 10 2011
5.0
Version: null
Sjha
Sjha
Dec 13 2007
5.0
Dec 13 2007
5.0
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Sep 7 2005
4.3
Sep 7 2005
4.3
Version: null