Gabriel Ellsworth: Created page with "If you do not want your notes to have stems, `\omit Stem` is very useful. But you may find that LilyPond positions the start or end points of some slurs incorrectly. By setting `\override NoteHead.stem-attachment = #'(0 . 0)` you can move the stem attachment point to the center of the note head, which results in better slur positioning for stemless note heads. Source of music: [https://archive.org/details/manualofgregoria00dela/page/266/mode/1up A..."

2026-03-06T11:32:58Z

Created page with "If you do not want your notes to have stems, <code>\omit Stem</code> is very useful. But you may find that LilyPond positions the start or end points of some slurs incorrectly. By setting <code>\override NoteHead.stem-attachment = #'(0 . 0)</code> you can move the stem attachment point to the center of the note head, which results in better slur positioning for stemless note heads. Source of music: [https://archive.org/details/manualofgregoria00dela/page/266/mode/1up A..."

New page

If you do not want your notes to have stems, <code>\omit Stem</code> is very useful. But you may find that LilyPond positions the start or end points of some slurs incorrectly.

By setting <code>\override NoteHead.stem-attachment = #'(0 . 0)</code> you can move the stem attachment point to the center of the note head, which results in better slur positioning for stemless note heads.

Source of music: [https://archive.org/details/manualofgregoria00dela/page/266/mode/1up A manual of Gregorian chant compiled from the Solesmes books and from ancient manuscripts].

<lilypond version="2.24">
chant = \relative c' {
\key d \dorian
\slurUp

\time 18/4
d( a') g( f g) a( bes) a2
a4 g( f) g( f) d2( f) | \bar ","

\time 17/4 a4 a( g f) g( f a) a2
a4 c( b g) b( c a2) | \bar "'"

\time 20/4
d4( c b g) b( c a) ~
a( g f) g( a d,) ~
d( c f) e( d) d2 | \bar "||"
}

words = \lyricmode {
Ad -- o -- ré -- mus
in ae -- tér -- num
sanc -- tís -- si -- mum
Sa -- cra -- _ _ _ _ mén -- tum.
}

% Top-level layout (applying to all scores):
\layout {
\set Score.forbidBreakBetweenBarLines = ##f
\omit Score.TimeSignature
\context {
\Voice
\consists Melody_engraver
\omit Stem
}
}

scoreContent = << \new Voice = "chant" \chant
\new Lyrics \lyricsto chant \words >>

\markup { \circle 1 LilyPond’s default: }
\score {
\scoreContent
}

\markup { \circle 2 With adjustment to stem-attachment: }
\score {
% score-specific layout:
\layout {
\context {
\Voice
\override NoteHead.stem-attachment = #'(0 . 0)
}
}
\scoreContent
}
</lilypond>

[[Category:Ancient notation]]
[[Category:Connecting notes]]
[[Category:Expressive marks]]
[[Category:Real music]]
[[Category:Snippet]]
[[Category:Tweaks and overrides]]
[[Category:Vocal music]]

Slurs with stemless note heads - Revision history