purpose as well.
Peter Yarensky
----------------
IMPORTANT FIELDS:
T: Title (second time, prints smaller)
S: Source
C: Composer
O: Origin
R: Rhythm (in words)
Q: Speed of playback
M: Meter (in numbers)
L: Length of default note (default length if no L field -
divide meter: if <.75, default = 1/16; if ≥.75,
default=1/8)
K: Key (must be last)
PITCH NOTATION:
C, to B, = octave below staff
C to B = octave in lower part of staff
c to b = octave in upper part of staff
c' to b' = octave in the positions
NOTE DURATION:
number after note is multiplier
/ + number after note divides duration
< or > after lone note seems to dot it (instead of 1.5
multiplier)
LINE BREAKS: occur after each line of text
\ = continue line with what's on next line of text
RESTS: z = rest; duration as with regular notes
DOTTED RHYTHMS: use > or < for dotted pairs
TRIPLETS: use (3 followed by notes; to slur, put additional () around whole
triplet
BEAMS: group notes without spaces
REPEAT SYMBOLS: | |] [| || |: :| :: (left & right repeat on same line)
FIRST AND SECOND REPEATS: begin measure with [1 or [2;
or if adjacent to bar lines, just |1 or |2
ACCIDENTALS: ^, = and _ are used before a note for sharp, natural or flat
CHANGE MID-TUNE — Meter, Key, Default Note Length
Put in new line with K;, M: or L: field
Then start music on another new line
To keep on same line, use \ at end of previous line of music
TIES AND SLURS:
2 notes (within/across bar): - between notes
otherwise: () around notes
spaces within () OK between notes but not next to parentheses sign
GRACE NOTES: use {} symbols around grace notes; no () needed for slur
or use ~ for general grace note
TRILLS: "T" before the note - not standard abc, but works with Barfly, abcm2ps
ACCENTS:
Stacatto: use period before note
u, v = upbow, downbow
CHORDS AND UNISONS: use [ ] around notes
if both notes are the same it will be a unison
CHORD SYMBOLS: use double quotes just before note; e.g. "Am7"
BOWINGS & FINGERINGS: use u and v for up-bow, down-bow; e.g. uAvBuA.
Fingerings can be done like chords.
ORDER OF SYMBOLS: <chord symbols> <accents> <accidental> <note> <note length>
_____________
Common ABC Errors:
Some of these were compiled from the Fiddle List (Fiddle-L) from an e-mail from
Laurie Griffiths, who wrote the Muse abc program. Tragically, Laurie who made
many interesting contributions to the Fiddle List, died in 2002 when hit by a
car while he was out for a walk. He noticed that tunes submitted to the Fiddle
List didn't always work with the Muse program and looked for patterns. We can
all benefit from some of the patterns he found.
Incorrect: |[1 |[2 for end of repeat. Correct: |1 followed by :|2
-->the open bracket gives the appearance of the beginning of a chord
which never ends.
Missing X: - The X: field is required at the beginning of all abc tunes!
Blanks in places where the syntax doesn't say they are allowed.
Line break in the middle of :|2
:||: for ::
H for fermata - apparently a private extension allowed by some programs.
Incorrect playback speed: Probably due to an incorrect number for the Q
field. If you set Q:120 expecting playback to be at dance tempo you may
be surprised depending on the default note length. For example, with L:1/16
(default length of 1/16 notes), Q:480 will produce playback at the desired
speed. Note that if there isn't a Q field your player program may have a
default speed (check the Preferences). You can override it by adding a
Q field to the header of the abc file.
Ties used in place of slurs.
![X:1
T:Golden Boy
C:Andy De Jarlis
N:as played in New Hampshire
M:2/4
L:1/16
K:D
F2G2|A4 d2e2|f6cd|e2d2 c2B2|A4F2F2|G4 e2>e2|e4G2G2|F4 d2>d2|d4 F2G2|
A4 d2e2|f6cd|e2d2 c2B2|A4F2F2|G4 e2>d2|c2A2 B2c2|d8|d4|]
[|e2>f2|g2B2 g2B2|g6 ag|f2A2 f2A2|f6 gf|e2A2 c2d2|e2g2 f2e2|f4>d4|A6 ef|
g2B2 g2B2|g6 ag|f2A2 f2A2|f6 gf|e2A2 c2d2|e2g2 f2e2|d8|d4|]](--peter-abc-help-file_files/shapeimage_2.png)
The Tune pages have an abbreviated site map. Go to the Home Page or the Fiddle Tunes page for access to the full web site.
Fiddle Tunes, abc format (individual pages):
