The <slur> element

Parent element: <notations>


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? Description
type start-stop-continue Yes 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.
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.
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.
bezier-x2 tenths No 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.
bezier-y2 tenths No 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.
dash-length tenths No 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.
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.
id ID No 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.
number number-level No 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.
placement above-below No 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.
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.
space-length tenths No 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:

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