LilyPond Notation Reference: 3.6.9 Enhancing MIDI output

### 3.6.9 Enhancing MIDI output

The default MIDI output is basic but can be improved by setting MIDI instruments and various `\midi` block properties.

Additional scripts allow to fine-tune the way dynamics, articulations and rhythm are rendered in MIDI: the ‘`articulate`’ script and the ‘`swing`’ script.

#### The ‘`articulate`’ script

To use the ‘`articulate`’ script add the appropriate `\include` command at the top of the input file;

>     \include "articulate.ly"

The script creates MIDI output into appropriately ‘time-scaled’ notes to match many articulation and tempo indications. Engraved output however, will also be altered to literally match the MIDI output.

>     \score {
>       \articulate <<
>         … music …
>       >>
>       \midi { }
>     }

The `\articulate` command enables abbreviatures (such as trills and turns) to be processed. A full list of supported items can be found in the script itself. See ‘`ly/articulate.ly`’.

#### See also

Learning Manual: Other sources of information.

Notation Reference: Score layout.

Installed Files: ‘`ly/articulate.ly`’.

Note: The ‘`articulate`’ script may shorten chords, which might not be appropriate for some types of instrument, such as organ music. Notes that do not have any articulations attached to them may also be shortened; so to allow for this, restrict the use of the `\articulate` function to shorter segments of music, or modify the values of the variables defined in the ‘`articulate`’ script to compensate for the note-shortening behavior.

#### The ‘`swing`’ script

The ‘`swing`’ script provides additional functions allowing for regular durations to be played with an inequal rhythm. The most obvious example is ‘swing’ intepretation commonly found in jazz music where binary eighth notes should be played in a ternary fashion; however additional interpretations are also supported.

This script has to be `\include`-d at the beginning of the input file:

>     \include "swing.ly"

Three commands are provided:

- `\tripletFeel` creates a triplet-feel swing. It takes two arguments: the durations that should be affected by it (typically `8` for eighth notes), and then the music expression to which it should be applied.
- `\applySwing` takes an additional argument prior to the music expression: a ‘weight list’ of n number ratios expressing the way regular notes should be played: for example, `#'(2 1)` indicates that every other note should be played twice as long as the following note (in fact, `\tripletFeel duration {music}` is actually a shortcut for `\applySwing duration #'(2 1) {music}`). Smoother swung eighths may be obtained with a weight list of `#'(3 2)`, or other values depending on taste.

  That list may include more than two values, which allows for longer and more sophisticated groove patterns; for example, a samba feel for sixteenth notes may be obtained as follows:

  >     \score {
  >       \applySwing 16 #'(3 2 2 3) {
  >         … music …
  >       }
  >       \midi { }
  >     }

- `\applySwingWithOffset` adds yet another argument between the ‘weight list’ and the music expression: an offset length (entered as a `ly:make-moment` expression). This command should be used when the music expression has to start off-beat, with a partial swing cycle.

Note: As with the ‘`articulate`’ script, all swing commands are also rendered in the engraved output, which results in irregular note spacing. This can be avoided by using them only in a `\score` block dedicated to MIDI output, rather than to printed music.

Additional help and information is included in the script file: see ‘`ly/swing.ly`’.

#### See also

Learning Manual: Other sources of information.

Notation Reference: Rhythms.

Installed Files: ‘`ly/swing.ly`’.

#### Known issues and warnings

- `\repeat` constructs in music (even `\repeat unfold`) are not taken into consideration when determining note timing. This will lead to problems unless the durations of all repeated parts are integer multiples of the swing cycle duration.
- These functions are oblivious to time signatures and measures. That is why offsets need to be supplied by using `\applySwingWithOffset` if music starts off-beat.
- Grace notes are ignored and simply left unaffected; so are tuplets.

#### LilyPond — Notation Reference v2.24.4 (stable-branch).