MusicXML 4.1 Draft
MusicXML 4.1 Draft > MusicXML Reference > Elements > The <glissando> element

The <glissando> element

Parent element: <notations>

glissando

The <glissando> and <slide> elements both indicate rapidly moving from one pitch to the other so that individual notes are not discerned. A <glissando> sounds the distinct notes in between the two pitches and defaults to a wavy line. The optional text is printed alongside the line.

Content

xs:string

Attributes

Name Type Required?(Default) Description
type start-stop Yes Indicates if this is the start or stop of the glissando.
Indicates if this is the start or stop of the glissando.
color color No Indicates the color of an element.
Indicates the color of an element.
dash-length tenths No The length of dashes in a dashed line. Ignored if the corresponding line-type attribute is not dashed.
The length of dashes in a dashed line. Ignored if the corresponding line-type attribute is not dashed.
default-x tenths No Changes the computation of the default horizontal position. The origin is changed relative to the left-hand side of the note or the musical position within the bar. Positive x is right and negative x is left.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the <offset> element. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both features should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.

Changes the computation of the default horizontal position. The origin is changed relative to the left-hand side of the note or the musical position within the bar. Positive x is right and negative x is left.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the <offset> element. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both features should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.

default-y tenths No Changes the computation of the default vertical position. The origin is changed relative to the top line of the staff. Positive y is up and negative y is down.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the placement attribute. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both attributes should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.

Changes the computation of the default vertical position. The origin is changed relative to the top line of the staff. Positive y is up and negative y is down.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the placement attribute. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both attributes should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.

font-family font-family No A comma-separated list of font names.
A comma-separated list of font names.
font-size font-size No One of the CSS sizes or a numeric point size.
One of the CSS sizes or a numeric point size.
font-style font-style No Normal or italic style.
Normal or italic style.
font-weight font-weight No Normal or bold weight.
Normal or bold weight.
id xs:ID No Specifies an ID that is unique to the entire document.
Specifies an ID that is unique to the entire document.
line-type line-type No Specifies if the line is solid, dashed, dotted, or wavy.
Specifies if the line is solid, dashed, dotted, or wavy.
number number-level No (1) Distinguishes multiple glissandos when they overlap in MusicXML document order. The default value is 1.
Distinguishes multiple glissandos when they overlap in MusicXML document order. The default value is 1.
relative-x tenths No Changes the horizontal position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-x attribute. Positive x is right and negative x is left. It should be interpreted in the context of the <offset> element or directive attribute if those are present.
Changes the horizontal position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-x attribute. Positive x is right and negative x is left. It should be interpreted in the context of the <offset> element or directive attribute if those are present.
relative-y tenths No Changes the vertical position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-y attribute. Positive y is up and negative y is down. It should be interpreted in the context of the placement attribute if that is present.
Changes the vertical position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-y attribute. Positive y is up and negative y is down. It should be interpreted in the context of the placement attribute if that is present.
space-length tenths No The length of spaces in a dashed line. Ignored if the corresponding line-type attribute is not dashed.
The length of spaces in a dashed line. Ignored if the corresponding line-type attribute is not dashed.

Examples

This element is used in the following examples:

<glissando> (Multiple)<glissando> (Single)