Multiple dynamic markings under one note

Question

I am working with Lilypond and can't figure out how to place two dynamic markings under a whole note. I want it to start piano and then become forte but I don't want to use a crescendo. I'd also rather not indicate two tied half notes. Just p then f under a whole note. This is common in older notation which I am typesetting. Thank you.

Answer 1

There's an example in the Notation Reference, where it says: "Spacer rests are needed to engrave multiple marks on one note." If you adapt it to your case, you might write:

\version "2.18.2"
{
  R1 |
  << f'1\p { s1\f } >> |
}

However, this triggers the following warning:

warning: Two simultaneous absolute-dynamic events, junking this one

and only the first dynamic mark is printed. So you must place the second dynamic mark on a different musical moment:

\version "2.18.2"
{
  R1 |
  << f'1\p { s4. s16\f s s2 } >> |
}

Answer 2

You can add one single markup that contains multiple elements to a single note:

\version "2.18.2"
{
   f'1 _\markup { \dynamic { f p } }
}