The <slur> element

Most slurs are represented with two <slur> elements: one with a start type, and one with a stop type. Slurs can add more elements using a continue type. This is typically used to specify the formatting of cross-system slurs, or to specify the shape of very complex slurs.

Normal slurs and S-shaped slurs need only two bezier points: one associated with the start of the slur, the other with the stop. Complex slurs and slurs divided over system breaks can specify additional bezier data at <slur> elements with a continue type.

Content

Always empty.

Attributes

Name	Type	Required?(Default)	Description
type	start-stop-continue	Yes	Indicates if this is the start, stop, or continuation of the slur.
Indicates if this is the start, stop, or continuation of the slur.
bezier-offset	divisions	No	The horizontal position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs and ties with a start type, or of an incoming bezier point for slurs and ties with types of stop or continue. If both the bezier-x and bezier-offset attributes are present, the bezier-x attribute takes priority. This attribute is deprecated as of MusicXML 3.1.
The horizontal position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs and ties with a start type, or of an incoming bezier point for slurs and ties with types of stop or continue. If both the bezier-x and bezier-offset attributes are present, the bezier-x attribute takes priority. This attribute is deprecated as of MusicXML 3.1.
bezier-offset2	divisions	No	The horizontal position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs with a continue type. Not valid for other types. If both the bezier-x2 and bezier-offset2 attributes are present, the bezier-x2 attribute takes priority. This attribute is deprecated as of MusicXML 3.1.
The horizontal position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs with a continue type. Not valid for other types. If both the bezier-x2 and bezier-offset2 attributes are present, the bezier-x2 attribute takes priority. This attribute is deprecated as of MusicXML 3.1.
bezier-x	tenths	No	The horizontal position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs and ties with a start type, or of an incoming bezier point for slurs and ties with types of stop or continue.
The horizontal position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs and ties with a start type, or of an incoming bezier point for slurs and ties with types of stop or continue.
bezier-x2	tenths	No	The horizontal position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs with a continue type. Not valid for other types.
The horizontal position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs with a continue type. Not valid for other types.
bezier-y	tenths	No	The vertical position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs and ties with a start type, or of an incoming bezier point for slurs and ties with types of stop or continue.
The vertical position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs and ties with a start type, or of an incoming bezier point for slurs and ties with types of stop or continue.
bezier-y2	tenths	No	The vertical position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs with a continue type. Not valid for other types.
The vertical position of an outgoing bezier point for slurs with a continue type. Not valid for other types.
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.
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 slurs when they overlap in MusicXML document order.
Distinguishes multiple slurs when they overlap in MusicXML document order.
orientation	over-under	No	Indicates whether slurs and ties are overhand (tips down) or underhand (tips up). This is distinct from the placement attribute used by any notation type.
Indicates whether slurs and ties are overhand (tips down) or underhand (tips up). This is distinct from the placement attribute used by any notation type.
placement	above-below	No	Indicates whether something is above or below another element, such as a note or a notation.
Indicates whether something is above or below another element, such as a note or a notation.
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:

<alter> (Semitones)<chord> (Multiple Stop)<extend> (Lyric)<forward><grace><grace> (Appoggiatura)<humming><slur><tap><tremolo> (Double)<voice>Tutorial: Chopin Prelude Tutorial: Tablature

The <slur> element

Content

Attributes

Examples

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