Many different symbols are used to tell LilyPond to add articulation signs to a note. They are all appended after the pitch and (if included) duration, and many have a position indicator, too.
A full list of articulation markings is available in the LilyPond manual, and Frescobaldi remembers most of them for you (they are stored in the left-side panel).
These are some of the most common articulation marks, which use a position indicator unless specified otherwise:
( to begin a slur (no position indicator)
) to end a slur (no position indicator)
~ to begin a tie (which needs no end; no position indicator)
. for a "staccato" mark
> for an "accent"
- for a "tenuto" mark
^ for a "marcato" mark
_ for a "portato" mark (dot and line)
There are three position indicators:
- which means to put the articulation mark wherever LilyPond thinks it makes sense
_ which means to put the articulation mark below the note-head
^ which means to put the articulation mark above the note-head
These position indicators will sometimes result in notes like:
g4--,
g4__, and
g4^^, but although this may look incorrect, it is perfectly acceptable.
