lilypond-chord-markup

LilyPond markup commands for displaying chords and making chord/lyric sheets

Usage

\include "chord-markup.ly"

Chords

\markup {
  \column {
    \line { Single chords: \chord d:maj7 \chord e:m \chord c:1.5.8 }
    \line { Multiple chords: \chord { d:maj7 e:m c:1.5.8 } }
  }
}

Chord over a lyric

\markup { \with-chord f This is the \with-chord a/e last time I'll \concat { a \with-chord d:m bandon } you }

Or use \ch instead of \with-chord.

Fixing overlap

Chords use lyric dimensions and may sometimes overlap successive chords. To fix it, use chord dimensions:

\markup { \override #'(full-extent . 1) \with-chord fis:m I \with-chord e:m lie. }

Or use \chf instead of \override #'(full-extent . 1) \with-chord

Transposing chords

You can transpose chords in existing markup. Use this with \book to make chord sheets in different keys:

chordList = \markup { \chord { c f g } }

\markup {
  \column {
    \line { Original: \chordList }
    \line { Transposed: \override #'(transpose . ("c" . "f")) \chordList }
  }
}

Or use \transpose c f \existingChordMarkup.

Formatting options

Color, font, etc, can be controlled via \layout:

\layout {
  \override ChordNames.ChordName.font-size = #0.0
  \override ChordNames.ChordName.color = #red
}

Arbitrary text

You can place arbitrary text over lyrics, positioned and formatted as chord markup. Use this for instructions, parenthesis, etc.

\markup { \with-chord-text \concat { \chord e:m " (2x)" } There's no time }

Or use \cht instead of \with-chord-text.