\version "2.17.6"

\header {
  lsrtags = "expressive-marks"

  texidoc = "
Vocal and wind music frequently uses a tick mark as a breathing sign.  This
indicates a breath that subtracts a little time from the previous note rather
than causing a short pause, which is indicated by the comma breath mark.  The
mark can be moved up a little to take it away from the stave.
"
  doctitle = "Using a tick as the breath mark symbol"
}

\relative c'' {
  c2
  \breathe
  d2
  \override BreathingSign.Y-offset = #2.6
  \override BreathingSign.text =
    \markup { \musicglyph #"scripts.tickmark" }
  c2
  \breathe
  d2
}
