Mahlif XML Schema¶

Version: 1.0-draft

Overview¶

Mahlif XML is a universal interchange format for music notation. It is designed to:

Enable accurate bidirectional translation between notation formats (Sibelius, Finale, Dorico, LilyPond, MusicXML, etc.)
Capture all musical content (pitches, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, text)
Preserve layout adjustments (manual positioning, spacing, page breaks)
Support complex scores (multi-movement works, parts, ossia, cues)
Be human-readable and debuggable

Units¶

Unit	Description
tick	Duration unit. 256 ticks = quarter note (Sibelius convention)
pitch	MIDI pitch number (60 = middle C)
1/32 space	Position offset unit. 32 units = 1 staff space

Document Structure¶

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<mahlif version="1.0" generator="SibeliusPlugin/1.0">
  <meta>...</meta>
  <defaults>...</defaults>
  <parts>...</parts>
  <movements>
    <movement>
      <movement-meta>...</movement-meta>
      <layout>...</layout>
      <staves>...</staves>
      <system-staff>...</system-staff>
    </movement>
  </movements>
</mahlif>

For simple single-movement works, the structure can be flattened:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<mahlif version="1.0" generator="SibeliusPlugin/1.0">
  <meta>...</meta>
  <layout>...</layout>
  <staves>...</staves>
  <system-staff>...</system-staff>
</mahlif>

Element Reference¶

`<mahlif>` (root)¶

Attribute	Type	Required	Description
`version`	string	yes	Schema version (e.g., "1.0")
`generator`	string	no	Tool that created this file

`<meta>`¶

Work-level metadata (applies to entire work across all movements).

<meta>
  <work-title>Symphony No. 5</work-title>
  <work-number>Op. 67</work-number>
  <movement-count>4</movement-count>
  <composer>Ludwig van Beethoven</composer>
  <lyricist></lyricist>
  <arranger></arranger>
  <editor></editor>
  <dedication>Dedicated to Prince Lobkowitz</dedication>
  <copyright>© 2024 Publisher</copyright>
  <publisher>Acme Music</publisher>
  <source-file>symphony5.sib</source-file>
  <source-format>Sibelius 24.6</source-format>
  <encoding-date>2024-01-15</encoding-date>
  <duration-ms>1920000</duration-ms>
</meta>

Element	Type	Description
`work-title`	string	Title of the complete work
`work-number`	string	Opus, catalog number, etc.
`movement-count`	int	Number of movements
`composer`	string	Composer name
`lyricist`	string	Lyricist/librettist
`arranger`	string	Arranger name
`editor`	string	Editor (for scholarly editions)
`dedication`	string	Dedication text
`copyright`	string	Copyright notice
`publisher`	string	Publisher name
`source-file`	string	Original filename
`source-format`	string	Original format and version
`encoding-date`	string	Date of Mahlif encoding (ISO 8601)
`duration-ms`	int	Total playback duration in milliseconds

`<defaults>`¶

Default values inherited by all movements.

<defaults>
  <page width="210" height="297" unit="mm"/>
  <margins top="12.7" bottom="12.7" left="12.7" right="12.7" unit="mm"/>
  <staff-height rastral="6">7</staff-height>
  <staff-spacing>10</staff-spacing>
  <system-spacing>15</system-spacing>
  <page-numbers position="bottom-center" first-page="1" show-first="false"/>
  <fonts>
    <music>Bravura</music>
    <text>Times New Roman</text>
    <lyrics>Times New Roman</lyrics>
  </fonts>
</defaults>

`<parts>`¶

Part definitions for part extraction. References staves by number.

<parts>
  <part id="flute1" name="Flute 1" staves="1"/>
  <part id="flute2" name="Flute 2" staves="2"/>
  <part id="flutes" name="Flutes 1 & 2" staves="1,2"/>
  <part id="piano" name="Piano" staves="15,16"/>
  <part id="strings" name="Strings" staves="17,18,19,20,21"/>
</parts>

Attribute	Type	Description
`id`	string	Unique identifier
`name`	string	Display name for part
`staves`	string	Comma-separated staff numbers

`<movements>`¶

Container for multi-movement works.

<movements>
  <movement n="1">...</movement>
  <movement n="2">...</movement>
  <movement n="3">...</movement>
</movements>

`<movement>`¶

A single movement.

<movement n="1" attacca="false">
  <movement-meta>
    <title>Allegro con brio</title>
    <subtitle></subtitle>
    <tempo-marking>Allegro con brio</tempo-marking>
    <duration-ms>480000</duration-ms>
  </movement-meta>
  <layout>...</layout>
  <staves>...</staves>
  <system-staff>...</system-staff>
</movement>

Attribute	Type	Description
`n`	int	Movement number (1-indexed)
`attacca`	bool	Proceeds directly to next movement without pause

`<movement-meta>`¶

Movement-level metadata.

<movement-meta>
  <title>Allegro con brio</title>
  <subtitle>Sonata form</subtitle>
  <tempo-marking>Allegro con brio ♩= 108</tempo-marking>
  <key>C minor</key>
  <time>2/4</time>
  <duration-ms>480000</duration-ms>
</movement-meta>

`<layout>`¶

Score-level layout parameters.

<layout>
  <page width="210" height="297" unit="mm"/>
  <margins top="12.7" bottom="12.7" left="12.7" right="12.7" unit="mm"/>
  <staff-height rastral="6">7</staff-height>
  <staff-spacing default="10">
    <between staff="1" and="2" distance="8"/>
    <between staff="2" and="3" distance="12"/>
  </staff-spacing>
  <system-spacing>15</system-spacing>
</layout>

Element	Description
`page`	Page dimensions
`margins`	Page margins
`staff-height`	Default staff height in mm. `rastral` attribute (0-8) is optional reference.
`staff-spacing`	Default space between staves. `<between>` overrides for specific staff pairs.
`system-spacing`	Default space between systems in mm

Rastral Sizes (Reference)¶

Rastral	Height (mm)	Typical Use
0	7.94	Large scores
1	7.49	—
2	7.05	—
3	6.60	Orchestral
4	6.20	—
5	5.80	Chamber
6	5.50	Piano
7	4.80	Cue staves
8	3.70	Ossia, small cues

`<staves>`¶

Container for all staves.

<staves count="24">
  <staff>...</staff>
  <staff>...</staff>
</staves>

`<staff>`¶

A single staff (instrument line).

<staff n="1"
       instrument="Violin I"
       instrument-short="Vn. I"
       lines="5"
       clef="treble"
       key-sig="0"
       key-mode="major"
       transposition="0"
       voices="2"
       size="100"
       distance-above="12">
  <bar>...</bar>
  <bar>...</bar>
</staff>

Attribute	Type	Required	Description
`n`	int	yes	Staff number (1-indexed)
`instrument`	string	yes	Full instrument name
`instrument-short`	string	no	Abbreviated name
`lines`	int	no	Number of staff lines (default: 5)
`clef`	string	yes	Initial clef (see Clef Values)
`key-sig`	int	yes	Initial key signature (-7 to +7 sharps)
`key-mode`	string	no	"major" or "minor"
`transposition`	int	no	Semitones of transposition (default: 0)
`voices`	int	no	Number of voices (default: 1)
`size`	int	no	Staff size as percentage (100 = normal, 75 = cue size)
`distance-above`	float	no	Distance from staff above in mm (overrides global)

`<bar>`¶

A single measure/bar.

<bar n="1" length="1024" time-num="4" time-den="4">
  <!-- objects sorted by position -->
</bar>

Attribute	Type	Required	Description
`n`	int	yes	Bar number
`length`	int	yes	Bar length in ticks
`time-num`	int	no	Time signature numerator (if changes here)
`time-den`	int	no	Time signature denominator
`key-sig`	int	no	Key signature (if changes here)
`break`	string	no	"system" or "page" if break occurs after

`<note>` and `<rest>`¶

A note event or rest.

<note pos="0" dur="256" voice="1"
      pitch="67" written-pitch="67"
      diatonic="39" written-diatonic="39"
      accidental="" written-accidental=""
      tied="false"
      dx="0" dy="0"
      hidden="false"/>

<rest pos="256" dur="256" voice="1"
      hidden="false"
      dx="0" dy="0"/>

Attribute	Type	Required	Description
`pos`	int	yes	Position in ticks from bar start
`dur`	int	yes	Duration in ticks
`voice`	int	no	Voice number (default: 1)
`pitch`	int	note only	MIDI pitch (sounding)
`written-pitch`	int	no	MIDI pitch (written, for transposing instruments)
`diatonic`	int	no	Diatonic pitch (for correct spelling)
`written-diatonic`	int	no	Written diatonic pitch
`accidental`	string	no	Accidental: "", "b", "bb", "#", "x", etc.
`written-accidental`	string	no	Written accidental
`tied`	bool	no	Tied to next note
`hidden`	bool	no	Hidden/invisible
`dx`	int	no	Horizontal offset (1/32 spaces)
`dy`	int	no	Vertical offset (1/32 spaces)
`color`	string	no	Color (hex: "#FF0000" or name: "red")
`size`	int	no	Size as percentage (100 = normal, 60 = cue)
`footnote-ref`	string	no	Reference to footnote id

`<chord>`¶

A chord (multiple simultaneous notes).

<chord pos="0" dur="256" voice="1"
       stem="auto" beam="continue"
       dx="0" dy="0">
  <n p="60" d="35" a=""/>
  <n p="64" d="37" a=""/>
  <n p="67" d="39" a=""/>
</chord>

Attribute	Type	Description
`stem`	string	"up", "down", or "auto"
`beam`	string	"none", "start", "continue", "end"

Child <n> elements (compact note):

Attribute	Meaning
`p`	pitch
`d`	diatonic
`a`	accidental
`t`	tied ("1" if true)

`<grace>`¶

Grace note(s) attached to following main note.

<grace pos="256" type="acciaccatura" slur="true">
  <n p="65" d="38" a="" dur="64"/>
  <n p="67" d="39" a="" dur="64"/>
</grace>

Attribute	Type	Description
`pos`	int	Position of main note these attach to
`type`	string	"grace", "acciaccatura", or "appoggiatura"
`slur`	bool	Slurred to main note

`<articulation>`¶

Articulation mark on a note/chord.

<articulation pos="0" voice="1" type="staccato"/>
<articulation pos="256" voice="1" type="accent"/>

Type Values
`staccato`, `staccatissimo`, `tenuto`, `accent`, `marcato`
`fermata`, `short-fermata`, `long-fermata`
`up-bow`, `down-bow`, `harmonic`, `open`, `stopped`
`trill`, `turn`, `mordent`, `prall`

`<dynamic>`¶

Dynamic marking.

<dynamic pos="0" voice="1" text="ff" dx="0" dy="0"/>
<dynamic pos="512" voice="1" text="p" dx="-10" dy="5"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`text`	string	Dynamic text: "ppp", "pp", "p", "mp", "mf", "f", "ff", "fff", "fp", "sf", "sfz", etc.

`<hairpin>`¶

Crescendo/diminuendo hairpin.

<hairpin type="cresc"
         start-bar="1" start-pos="0"
         end-bar="2" end-pos="512"
         voice="1"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`type`	string	"cresc" or "dim"
`start-bar`	int	Starting bar number
`start-pos`	int	Starting position in ticks
`end-bar`	int	Ending bar number
`end-pos`	int	Ending position

`<slur>`¶

Slur or phrasing slur.

<slur start-bar="1" start-pos="0"
      end-bar="1" end-pos="768"
      voice="1"
      phrasing="false"
      direction="auto"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`phrasing`	bool	True for phrasing slur (dashed)
`direction`	string	"up", "down", or "auto"

`<tie>`¶

Explicit tie (when not expressible via note tied attribute).

<tie start-bar="1" start-pos="768"
     end-bar="2" end-pos="0"
     pitch="67" voice="1"/>

`<clef>`¶

Clef change.

<clef pos="0" type="bass" dx="0"/>

Clef `type` Values
`treble`, `treble-8vb`, `treble-8va`, `treble-15va`
`bass`, `bass-8vb`, `bass-8va`
`alto`, `tenor`
`percussion`, `tab`

`<key>`¶

Key signature change.

<key pos="0" fifths="-3" mode="minor"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`fifths`	int	-7 (Cb) to +7 (C#)
`mode`	string	"major" or "minor"

`<time>`¶

Time signature change.

<time pos="0" num="6" den="8"/>
<time pos="0" num="3+2" den="8" display="compound"/>

`<text>`¶

Text annotation.

<text pos="0" voice="1"
      style="expression"
      placement="above"
      font="Times New Roman"
      size="12"
      bold="false"
      italic="true"
      dx="0" dy="10">dolce</text>

Attribute	Type	Description
`style`	string	"tempo", "expression", "technique", "rehearsal", etc.
`placement`	string	"above" or "below"
`font`	string	Font family name
`size`	float	Font size in points
`bold`	bool	Bold text
`italic`	bool	Italic text

For mixed formatting within a single text element:

<text pos="0" style="expression" placement="above">
  <span italic="true">dolce</span> <span bold="true">espressivo</span>
</text>

`<span>` (child of `<text>`)¶

Attribute	Type	Description
`font`	string	Font family (inherits from parent if absent)
`size`	float	Font size (inherits from parent if absent)
`bold`	bool	Bold
`italic`	bool	Italic
`underline`	bool	Underlined
`superscript`	bool	Superscript
`subscript`	bool	Subscript

`<lyrics>`¶

Lyrics container for a voice/verse combination.

<lyrics voice="1" verse="1" placement="below">
  <syl pos="0">Hel</syl>
  <syl pos="256" hyphen="true">lo</syl>
  <syl pos="512">world</syl>
  <syl pos="768" melisma="true">now</syl>
</lyrics>

Attribute	Type	Required	Description
`voice`	int	yes	Voice number lyrics attach to
`verse`	int	yes	Verse number (1, 2, 3...)
`placement`	string	no	"above" or "below" (default: "below")

`<syl>` (syllable)¶

Attribute	Type	Required	Description
`pos`	int	yes	Position in ticks (aligns with note)
`hyphen`	bool	no	Hyphen follows (word continues)
`melisma`	bool	no	Extender line follows (held over multiple notes)
`elision`	bool	no	Elided with next syllable (sung on same note)

The text content of <syl> is the syllable text.

Example with multiple verses:

<lyrics voice="1" verse="1">
  <syl pos="0">A</syl>
  <syl pos="256" hyphen="true">ma</syl>
  <syl pos="512">zing</syl>
</lyrics>
<lyrics voice="1" verse="2">
  <syl pos="0">'Twas</syl>
  <syl pos="256">grace</syl>
  <syl pos="512">that</syl>
</lyrics>

`<tempo>`¶

Tempo marking.

<tempo pos="0" bpm="120" beat="4" text="Allegro"/>
<tempo pos="0" bpm="60" beat="4" text="Adagio" parenthetical="true"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`bpm`	int	Beats per minute
`beat`	int	Beat unit (4 = quarter, 8 = eighth)
`text`	string	Tempo text (optional)
`parenthetical`	bool	Metronome mark in parentheses

`<rehearsal>`¶

Rehearsal mark (letter, number, or custom).

<rehearsal pos="0" type="letter">A</rehearsal>
<rehearsal pos="0" type="number">1</rehearsal>
<rehearsal pos="0" type="bar-number"/>
<rehearsal pos="0" type="custom" enclosure="rectangle">Coda</rehearsal>

Attribute	Type	Description
`type`	string	"letter", "number", "bar-number", "custom"
`enclosure`	string	"rectangle", "square", "oval", "circle", "none"

Text content is the mark itself (ignored for bar-number type).

`<break>`¶

System or page break.

<break pos="1024" type="system"/>
<break pos="1024" type="page"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`type`	string	"system" or "page"
`pos`	int	Position (usually bar end)

Note: Breaks can also be indicated via break attribute on <bar>.

`<page-text>`¶

Text anchored to page position (headers, footers, page numbers, footnotes).

<page-text position="header-center" page="first">
  Symphony No. 5
</page-text>
<page-text position="footer-right" page="all" type="page-number"/>
<page-text position="footer-left" page="2">
  <footnote marker="*">Manuscript source shows variant reading.</footnote>
</page-text>

Attribute	Type	Description
`position`	string	See position values below
`page`	string	"all", "first", "odd", "even", or specific page number
`type`	string	"text", "page-number", "copyright", "footnote" (optional)

Position values:

header-left, header-center, header-right
footer-left, footer-center, footer-right

`<footnote>`¶

Footnote (typically in footer, with reference marker in score).

<footnote id="fn1" marker="*">
  Original manuscript has B-flat here; this edition follows the first printing.
</footnote>

The marker can be referenced elsewhere:

<note pos="256" dur="256" pitch="70" footnote-ref="fn1"/>

Or via text:

<text pos="256" style="footnote-marker">*</text>

`<barline>`¶

Special barline.

<barline pos="1024" type="double"/>

Type Values
`single`, `double`, `final`, `repeat-start`, `repeat-end`, `repeat-both`, `dashed`, `invisible`

`<octava>`¶

Ottava line (8va, 8vb, etc.).

<octava type="8va"
        start-bar="1" start-pos="0"
        end-bar="2" end-pos="512"/>

Type Values
`8va`, `8vb`, `15va`, `15vb`

`<tuplet>`¶

Tuplet grouping.

<tuplet start-bar="1" start-pos="0"
        num="3" den="2" actual="3" normal="2"
        bracket="true" number="true"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`num`	int	Display numerator (e.g., 3 for triplet)
`den`	int	Display denominator (e.g., 2 for triplet)
`actual`	int	Actual notes in group
`normal`	int	Normal notes it replaces
`bracket`	bool	Show bracket
`number`	bool	Show number

`<tremolo>`¶

Tremolo marking.

<tremolo pos="0" voice="1" strokes="3" type="single"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`strokes`	int	Number of tremolo strokes (1-4)
`type`	string	"single" (on one note) or "double" (between two)

`<pedal>`¶

Piano pedal marking.

<pedal type="sustain" start-bar="1" start-pos="0" end-bar="2" end-pos="512"/>
<pedal type="sostenuto" start-bar="1" start-pos="0" end-bar="1" end-pos="1024"/>
<pedal type="una-corda" start-bar="1" start-pos="0" end-bar="4" end-pos="0"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`type`	string	"sustain", "sostenuto", "una-corda"
`start-bar`	int	Starting bar number
`start-pos`	int	Starting position in ticks
`end-bar`	int	Ending bar number
`end-pos`	int	Ending position
`line`	bool	Show as line (true) or Ped/* symbols (false)

`<fingering>`¶

Fingering indication.

<fingering pos="0" voice="1" finger="3"/>
<fingering pos="0" voice="1" finger="1-2" substitution="true"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`finger`	string	Finger number(s): "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", or combinations like "1-2"
`substitution`	bool	Finger substitution (change without re-attack)
`placement`	string	"above", "below", "left", "right" (default: auto)

`<string-indication>`¶

String number for bowed strings or guitar.

<string-indication pos="0" voice="1" string="2"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`string`	int	String number (1 = highest)

`<chord-symbol>`¶

Jazz/pop chord symbol.

<chord-symbol pos="0" root="C" kind="major-seventh" bass="E"/>
<chord-symbol pos="512" root="F" kind="minor" bass=""/>
<chord-symbol pos="0" root="G" kind="dominant" alterations="b9 #11"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`root`	string	Root pitch: "C", "C#", "Db", etc.
`kind`	string	Chord type (see below)
`bass`	string	Bass note if different from root (slash chord)
`alterations`	string	Space-separated: "b5", "#5", "b9", "#9", "#11", "b13"
`text`	string	Override display text (e.g., "Cmaj7" for custom spelling)

Kind values: major, minor, augmented, diminished, dominant, major-seventh, minor-seventh, diminished-seventh, augmented-seventh, half-diminished, major-minor, major-sixth, minor-sixth, dominant-ninth, major-ninth, minor-ninth, dominant-11th, major-11th, minor-11th, dominant-13th, major-13th, minor-13th, suspended-second, suspended-fourth, power, other

`<figured-bass>`¶

Baroque figured bass notation.

<figured-bass pos="0" voice="1">
  <figure>6</figure>
  <figure>4</figure>
</figured-bass>

<figured-bass pos="256" voice="1">
  <figure prefix="#">4</figure>
  <figure suffix="+">2</figure>
</figured-bass>

Child element	Attributes	Description
`<figure>`	`prefix`, `suffix`, `extend`	Single figure; prefix/suffix for accidentals (#, b, ♮); extend="true" for continuation line

`<harmonic>`¶

Harmonic indication (natural or artificial).

<harmonic pos="0" voice="1" type="natural"/>
<harmonic pos="0" voice="1" type="artificial" base-pitch="48" sounding-pitch="72"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`type`	string	"natural" or "artificial"
`base-pitch`	int	Stopped pitch for artificial harmonic
`touch-pitch`	int	Touch pitch for artificial harmonic
`sounding-pitch`	int	Resulting sounding pitch

`<bend>`¶

Guitar bend.

<bend pos="0" voice="1" amount="1" release="true"/>
<bend pos="0" voice="1" amount="0.5" pre-bend="true"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`amount`	float	Bend amount in semitones (0.5 = quarter tone, 1 = half step, 2 = whole step)
`pre-bend`	bool	Bend before attack
`release`	bool	Release bend back to original pitch

`<slide>`¶

Slide/glissando between notes.

<slide start-bar="1" start-pos="0" end-bar="1" end-pos="256" type="shift"/>
<slide start-bar="1" start-pos="0" end-bar="1" end-pos="256" type="legato"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`type`	string	"shift" (position shift), "legato" (hammer/pull), "glissando" (discrete pitches), "portamento" (continuous)

`<breath>`¶

Breath mark.

<breath pos="512" voice="1" type="comma"/>
<breath pos="512" voice="1" type="tick"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`type`	string	"comma", "tick", "upbow", "salzedo"

`<caesura>`¶

Caesura (railroad tracks).

<caesura pos="1024" type="normal"/>
<caesura pos="1024" type="thick"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`type`	string	"normal", "thick", "short", "curved"

`<cue>`¶

Cue notes (from another instrument).

<cue start-bar="5" start-pos="0" end-bar="6" end-pos="512"
     source-staff="1" source-instrument="Flute 1"
     voice="1">
  <!-- cue notes inherit from source or can be explicit -->
</cue>

Attribute	Type	Description
`source-staff`	int	Staff number to cue from
`source-instrument`	string	Instrument name (for labeling)
`voice`	int	Voice in destination staff
`size`	int	Size percentage (default: 60)

`<ossia>`¶

Ossia passage (alternative version on separate staff).

<ossia start-bar="12" start-pos="0" end-bar="13" end-pos="0"
       parent-staff="3" position="above">
  <bar n="12">
    <note pos="0" dur="256" pitch="72" diatonic="42"/>
    <!-- ... -->
  </bar>
</ossia>

Attribute	Type	Description
`parent-staff`	int	Staff this ossia relates to
`position`	string	"above" or "below" parent staff
`start-bar`	int	Starting bar
`end-bar`	int	Ending bar

`<ending>`¶

Repeat ending (volta bracket).

<ending start-bar="8" start-pos="0" end-bar="9" end-pos="1024"
        numbers="1" type="start"/>
<ending start-bar="10" start-pos="0" end-bar="11" end-pos="1024"
        numbers="2,3" type="discontinue"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`numbers`	string	Comma-separated ending numbers: "1", "2", "1,2"
`type`	string	"start" (with downward jog), "stop" (with jog), "discontinue" (no ending jog)

`<segno>`¶

Segno sign.

<segno pos="0" id="segno1"/>

`<coda>`¶

Coda sign.

<coda pos="0" id="coda1"/>

`<jump>`¶

Navigation instruction (D.C., D.S., etc.).

<jump pos="1024" type="da-capo"/>
<jump pos="1024" type="dal-segno" target="segno1"/>
<jump pos="1024" type="to-coda" target="coda1"/>
<jump pos="1024" type="da-capo-al-coda" target="coda1"/>
<jump pos="1024" type="dal-segno-al-fine" target="segno1"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`type`	string	See values below
`target`	string	ID of segno/coda to jump to

Type values: da-capo, dal-segno, da-capo-al-fine, da-capo-al-coda, dal-segno-al-fine, dal-segno-al-coda, to-coda, fine

`<fine>`¶

Fine (end point for D.C./D.S. al Fine).

<fine pos="1024"/>

`<multimeasure-rest>`¶

Consolidated multi-measure rest.

<multimeasure-rest start-bar="5" count="12"/>

Attribute	Type	Description
`start-bar`	int	First bar of rest
`count`	int	Number of bars

`<system-staff>`¶

System-level objects (tempos, rehearsal marks, system text).

<system-staff>
  <bar n="1">
    <tempo pos="0" bpm="120" beat="4" text="Allegro vivace"/>
    <text pos="0" style="rehearsal">A</text>
  </bar>
</system-staff>

Complete Example¶

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<mahlif version="1.0" generator="MahlifPlugin/1.0">
  <meta>
    <title>Simple Example</title>
    <composer>Test Composer</composer>
  </meta>

  <layout>
    <page width="210" height="297" unit="mm"/>
    <margins top="12.7" bottom="12.7" left="12.7" right="12.7" unit="mm"/>
    <staff-height rastral="6">7</staff-height>
    <staff-spacing default="10">
      <between staff="1" and="2" distance="8"/>
    </staff-spacing>
    <system-spacing>15</system-spacing>
  </layout>

  <staves count="2">
    <staff n="1" instrument="Voice" clef="treble" key-sig="0" size="100">
      <bar n="1" length="1024" time-num="4" time-den="4">
        <note pos="0" dur="256" voice="1" pitch="67" diatonic="39"/>
        <note pos="256" dur="256" voice="1" pitch="69" diatonic="40"/>
        <note pos="512" dur="512" voice="1" pitch="71" diatonic="41"/>
        <dynamic pos="0" voice="1" text="mp"/>
        <slur start-bar="1" start-pos="0" end-bar="1" end-pos="768" voice="1"/>
      </bar>

      <bar n="2" length="1024">
        <note pos="0" dur="512" voice="1" pitch="72" diatonic="42"/>
        <rest pos="512" dur="512" voice="1"/>
        <hairpin type="dim" start-bar="2" start-pos="0" end-bar="2" end-pos="512"/>
      </bar>

      <lyrics voice="1" verse="1">
        <syl pos="0">Hel</syl>
        <syl pos="256" hyphen="true">lo</syl>
        <syl pos="512" melisma="true">world</syl>
        <syl pos="1024">now</syl>
      </lyrics>
    </staff>

    <staff n="2" instrument="Piano" clef="treble" key-sig="0" size="100" distance-above="8">
      <bar n="1" length="1024" time-num="4" time-den="4">
        <chord pos="0" dur="256" voice="1">
          <n p="60" d="35" a=""/>
          <n p="64" d="37" a=""/>
          <n p="67" d="39" a=""/>
        </chord>
        <chord pos="256" dur="256" voice="1">
          <n p="60" d="35" a=""/>
          <n p="65" d="38" a=""/>
          <n p="69" d="40" a=""/>
        </chord>
        <chord pos="512" dur="512" voice="1">
          <n p="59" d="34" a=""/>
          <n p="62" d="36" a=""/>
          <n p="67" d="39" a=""/>
        </chord>
        <dynamic pos="0" voice="1" text="mp"/>
      </bar>

      <bar n="2" length="1024">
        <chord pos="0" dur="512" voice="1">
          <n p="60" d="35" a=""/>
          <n p="64" d="37" a=""/>
          <n p="67" d="39" a=""/>
        </chord>
        <rest pos="512" dur="512" voice="1"/>
      </bar>
    </staff>
  </staves>

  <system-staff>
    <bar n="1">
      <tempo pos="0" bpm="96" beat="4" text="Andante"/>
      <text pos="0" style="expression" placement="above" italic="true">con espressione</text>
    </bar>
  </system-staff>
</mahlif>

Design Rationale¶

Flat structure within bars — All objects at bar level, sorted by position. Easier to process than deeply nested.
Spanners reference endpoints — Slurs, hairpins, etc. store start/end positions explicitly rather than wrapping content.
Compact note format in chords — <n p="60" d="35" a=""/> reduces verbosity for chords.
Separate system-staff — Global items (tempo, rehearsal marks) kept separate from instrument staves.
Layout offsets preserved — dx/dy on notes and text enable faithful reproduction of manual adjustments.
Human-readable — Clear attribute names, indentation-friendly structure.
Multi-movement support — Full works with movements, attacca, movement-level metadata.
Round-trip fidelity — Designed so Sibelius → Mahlif → Sibelius (or any pair) loses minimal information.

Format Compatibility Notes¶

Sibelius¶

Full support for all ManuScript-accessible properties
dx/dy offsets map directly
Rehearsal marks, page-aligned text supported

Finale¶

Similar object model; most elements map directly
Smart Shapes → spanners
Expressions → text with styles

Dorico¶

Flow = Movement
Players/Layouts = Parts
Most notation elements have direct equivalents

LilyPond¶

Most elements have direct \command equivalents
dx/dy → \override ... #'extra-offset
Layout → \paper, \layout blocks

MusicXML¶

Mahlif is more layout-aware than MusicXML
MusicXML <direction> → Mahlif <text>, <dynamic>, <tempo>
Mahlif spanners more explicit than MusicXML nesting

Future Extensions¶

These elements may be added based on demand. Most notation software handles these via workarounds or plugins.

Playback¶

<sound> — MIDI/playback overrides (velocity, channel, instrument change)
<swing> — Swing/shuffle playback ratio

Editorial¶

<editorial> — Editorial additions (brackets, dashed slurs, small type)
<variant> — Alternative readings from different manuscript sources
<comment> — Non-printing annotations/comments for collaboration

Advanced Layout¶

<frame> — Text frames (title pages, program notes, arbitrary positioned text)
<graphic> — Embedded images/SVG
<spacer> — Explicit vertical/horizontal spacing adjustments

Specialized Notation¶

<accordion> — Accordion register symbols
<harp-pedal> — Harp pedal diagrams
<scordatura> — Alternate tuning notation
<mensural> — Medieval/Renaissance notation
<neume> — Gregorian chant notation
<tablature> — Full tab support (currently only <string-indication>)
<bowing> — Detailed bowing patterns (hooked, ricochet, etc.)
<brass-techniques> — Mutes, stopped horn, flutter tongue
<percussion-unpitched> — Full unpitched percussion with instrument maps

Mahlif XML Schema¶

Overview¶

Units¶

Document Structure¶

Element Reference¶

<mahlif> (root)¶

<meta>¶

<defaults>¶

<parts>¶

<movements>¶

<movement>¶

<movement-meta>¶

<layout>¶

Rastral Sizes (Reference)¶

<staves>¶

<staff>¶

<bar>¶

<note> and <rest>¶

<chord>¶

<grace>¶

<articulation>¶

<dynamic>¶

<hairpin>¶

<slur>¶

<tie>¶

<clef>¶

<key>¶

<time>¶

<text>¶

<span> (child of <text>)¶

<lyrics>¶

<syl> (syllable)¶

<tempo>¶

<rehearsal>¶

<break>¶

<page-text>¶

<footnote>¶

<barline>¶

<octava>¶

<tuplet>¶

<tremolo>¶

<pedal>¶

<fingering>¶

<string-indication>¶

<chord-symbol>¶

<figured-bass>¶

<harmonic>¶

<bend>¶

<slide>¶

<breath>¶

<caesura>¶

<cue>¶

<ossia>¶

<ending>¶

<segno>¶

<coda>¶

<jump>¶

<fine>¶

<multimeasure-rest>¶

<system-staff>¶