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source: https://www.w3.org/2021/06/musicxml40/musicxml-reference/elements/root-step/
downloaded: 2026-01-30T08:44:44.368Z
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# The <root-step> element | MusicXML 4.0


MusicXML 4.0 >
    MusicXML reference >
    Elements >
    root-step


# The <root-step> element


Parent element:
    
        
        <root>


The <root-step> element represents the pitch step of the root of the current chord within the harmony element.


## Content


step


## Attributes

| Name | Type | Required? | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| color | color | No | Indicates the color of an element. |
| 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. |
| font-family | font-family | No | A comma-separated list of font names. |
| font-size | font-size | No | One of the CSS sizes or a numeric point size. |
| font-style | font-style | No | Normal or italic style. |
| font-weight | font-weight | No | Normal or bold weight. |
| 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. |
| text | token | No | Indicates how the root should appear in a score if not using the element contents. |


## Examples


This element is used in the following examples:


<bass-alter>, <bass-separator>, <bass-step>, <degree-type>, <degree-value>, <fingering> (Frame), <fret> (Frame), <kind>, <root-alter>, <root-step>, Tutorial: Chord Symbols