I've used the standard version of this software for many years myself, and it does almost everything I need.
It your source abc file contains chords, MusicEase will insert them as chord letters above the staff notation.
If your source abc file does not contain chords, you can still import the abc file. However, it follows that in this case no chords will be shown above the staff.
You then have two choices:
1) Add the chords manually
2) Use the auto-chord generator
However, I've yet to see any music software that can make a good job of auto-generating chords (especially in respect of modal tunes), and MusicEase is no exception in this respect.
A third option is to use the auto chord generator, then edit the result as necessary.
When you are happy with the chords, you can auto-convert the chords to guitar fretboard diagrams, if you wish.
MusicEase can also play the tune back to you (with or without the chords).
It depends what you mean by chords. Navigator will play chords written on the stave (like double stops on the fiddle). Simply enclose the notes you want in square brackets.
It won't play chord letters written above the stave, because these don't give it enough information to know what to play. But it will let you write chord letters: simply enclose them in quotation marks.
Many thanks for the comments. I am now torn whether to use ABC Navigator becuse it shows you the manuscript or abc2mus because it plays the chords and lets you hear what you are doing. If only life was simple
You are right Earl Cameron. Even with all of the ????? and !!!!!
I was loath to download yet another editor but abc explorer seems to be the way forward. Other spin offs include printing to pdf and including the index number in the header.
I'm with 'dikes' - ABC Explorer is free, handles chords, and is very intuitive
It also handles sets of tunes really well, and produces really good pdf files
I use it exclusively now instead on abcmus, abcwin, melody, and abc navigator
It also has full working help file (unlike navigator)
I think it is just about perfect for everything I need and more!
ABC Navigator - Chords?
ABC Navigator - Chords?
Just found abcnavigator and love it. However..... Does it play chords?
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by colin ablitt
Re: ABC Navigator - Chords?
I'm fairly certain that it does not.
If you want to create sheet music with chords from abc notation, you might try MusicEase.
It's not free, though. The standard version costs US $79.95, and the professional version costs US $249.95
A trial download is available from this site:
http://www.musicease.com/
I've used the standard version of this software for many years myself, and it does almost everything I need.
It your source abc file contains chords, MusicEase will insert them as chord letters above the staff notation.
If your source abc file does not contain chords, you can still import the abc file. However, it follows that in this case no chords will be shown above the staff.
You then have two choices:
1) Add the chords manually
2) Use the auto-chord generator
However, I've yet to see any music software that can make a good job of auto-generating chords (especially in respect of modal tunes), and MusicEase is no exception in this respect.
A third option is to use the auto chord generator, then edit the result as necessary.
When you are happy with the chords, you can auto-convert the chords to guitar fretboard diagrams, if you wish.
MusicEase can also play the tune back to you (with or without the chords).
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: ABC Navigator - Chords?
ABC Explorer will do chords and is free:
http://stalikez.info/abc/abcex.php
Chords are writen as [ecE]
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by dlkes
Re: ABC Navigator - Chords?
It depends what you mean by chords. Navigator will play chords written on the stave (like double stops on the fiddle). Simply enclose the notes you want in square brackets.
It won't play chord letters written above the stave, because these don't give it enough information to know what to play. But it will let you write chord letters: simply enclose them in quotation marks.
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by skreech
Re: ABC Navigator - Chords?
Many thanks for the comments. I am now torn whether to use ABC Navigator becuse it shows you the manuscript or abc2mus because it plays the chords and lets you hear what you are doing. If only life was simple
# Posted on February 6th 2010 by colin ablitt
Re: ABC Navigator - Chords?
Abc explorer does both, so does abc edit, so why are you torn????!!!
# Posted on February 7th 2010 by Earl Cameron
Re: ABC Navigator - Chords?
You are right Earl Cameron. Even with all of the ????? and !!!!!
I was loath to download yet another editor but abc explorer seems to be the way forward. Other spin offs include printing to pdf and including the index number in the header.
# Posted on February 7th 2010 by colin ablitt
Re: ABC Navigator - Chords?
Set it to some sort of piano and ABCExplorer has a good go at vamping any quoted chords
# Posted on February 7th 2010 by geoffwright
Re: ABC Navigator - Chords?
Yeah, I added those because somebody already mentioned abc explorer before me, I wanted you to pay attention.
# Posted on February 8th 2010 by Earl Cameron
Re: ABC Navigator - Chords?
I'm with 'dikes' - ABC Explorer is free, handles chords, and is very intuitive
It also handles sets of tunes really well, and produces really good pdf files
I use it exclusively now instead on abcmus, abcwin, melody, and abc navigator
It also has full working help file (unlike navigator)
I think it is just about perfect for everything I need and more!
# Posted on February 8th 2010 by Enob
Re: ABC Navigator - Chords?
Sorry to come back after so long.
I am converted. Like Enob I have committed other programs to the bin and love abc explorer.
Now got it playing two voice tunes!
# Posted on February 18th 2010 by colin ablitt