Thank you, Kieren.
On Wed, 13 May 2026, Kieren MacMillan wrote:
> kernLyr = \tweak LyricText.extra-offset #'(0.075 . 0) \tweak
> LyricHyphen.X-extent #empty-interval \etc
>
> \score {
> \notes
> \addlyrics {
> \kernLyr test -- ing
> \kernLyr hy -- phens
> }
> }
> %%% SNIPPET ENDS
>
I think that Magnetic lyrics
<https://wiki.lilypond.community/wiki/Magnetic_lyrics:_snap_syllables_together_if_the_hyphen_inbetween_is_too_short>
is the better option here, but it’s good also to have your \kernLyr command
in my notes, in case I ever need to apply an offset very surgically as
you’ve done here.
In fact I am surprised that Magnetic lyrics
<https://wiki.lilypond.community/wiki/Magnetic_lyrics:_snap_syllables_together_if_the_hyphen_inbetween_is_too_short>
is not part of off-the-shelf LilyPond and covered in the documentation at 9.1.8
Extenders and hyphens
<https://lilypond.org/doc/v2.27/Documentation/notation/common-notation-for-vocal-music#extenders-and-hyphens>.
When I look at the “Without magnetic lyrics” example output on the Wiki, I
see the kind of visual awkwardness that I would expect in output from
[insert names of other engraving software programs].
I’d vote to merge this functionality into LilyPond. If that’s not possible,
at least we should make Jean and Werner’s good work an “official” snippet
and add in or near NR 9.1.8 a link to the official snippet.
Gabriel
