Perhaps what may seem silly to many, but I can't read ABC or write it for that matter...I read notation quite well so I usually will put any ABC tunes through the "Tune-o-matic" and print out a PDF of the sheet music...I would like to be able to write and Read ABC .....can anyone give me a lesson here or point me in the right direction?
This is where I (and maybe many others here taught ourselves). It only takes an hour or two to get the basics and you can always refer back, if something unusual crops up.
I should also add that if you can read standard notation, there's no real need to be able to read "abc" and, as you say, there are programs to convert it.
However, it's good to know how to write it, i.e. for submitting tunes and it's also a very easy way to compile a piece in standard notation. You can write out the tune very quickly in "abc" and convert it by using software.
Of course, you might be in a remote place and just have a copy of "abc" and no means of converting it. Then, you have to be able to read it yourself.
However, if you have learned how to "write" it, you should be able to read it too. Does all that make sense?
The documentation for BarFly gives an excellent tutorial on ABC, so even if you don't use a Mac, see if you can download and uncompress BarFly, and open its documentation in whatever ABC program you use. See the links section for the URL.
"there's no real need to be able to read "abc". . . "
There is, however, a convenience factor in being able to partake in online discussions and examples without having to go through the conversion process for every snippet.
Don't worry. ABC is really pretty simple. If even I can do it, then so can anyone else. And if worse comes to worse, throw yourself on the mercy of Dow or Will. Both of them for suckers for "please" and it's always worked for me.
Anyway, there's several links to ABC tutorials and such in the Links section here at The Session. Avail yourself of the info contained at those sites, and you're gold.
KFG, that's another good reason for being able to read "abc" but I feel that being able to write it is more important and, if you can do this, reading it shouldn't be any problem.
Excuse me if I missed something, but it appears Tim doesn't have the ABC program and the link wasn't mentioned in the responses. Just download ABC from abc2win.com and pay the current fee (very cheap) and all the instructions come with it. (very easy)
"That and you can print out a legible tune that would fit on a 3x5 card, therefore can carry yr music book in a shirt pocket. "
You know, I hadn't thought of that.
Learning to Write ABC format
Learning to Write ABC format
Perhaps what may seem silly to many, but I can't read ABC or write it for that matter...I read notation quite well so I usually will put any ABC tunes through the "Tune-o-matic" and print out a PDF of the sheet music...I would like to be able to write and Read ABC .....can anyone give me a lesson here or point me in the right direction?
# Posted on August 7th 2005 by Tim_Fiddler
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
This is where I (and maybe many others here taught ourselves). It only takes an hour or two to get the basics and you can always refer back, if something unusual crops up.
http://www.lesession.co.uk/abc/abc_notation.htm
# Posted on August 7th 2005 by Back for a while
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
I've been in exactly the same boat. I've only found one solution. Unfortunately it's the usual one, the same way you get to Carnegie Hall:
When you get off the bus at Port Authority hang a left and walk up to 57th. Then. . .
Oh, wait. I mean:
Practice, practice, practice. It's the same way you learned standard notation, isn't it?
KFG
# Posted on August 7th 2005 by KFG
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
I should also add that if you can read standard notation, there's no real need to be able to read "abc" and, as you say, there are programs to convert it.
However, it's good to know how to write it, i.e. for submitting tunes and it's also a very easy way to compile a piece in standard notation. You can write out the tune very quickly in "abc" and convert it by using software.
Of course, you might be in a remote place and just have a copy of "abc" and no means of converting it. Then, you have to be able to read it yourself.
However, if you have learned how to "write" it, you should be able to read it too. Does all that make sense?
Anyway, the link I gave you is good+practice.
# Posted on August 7th 2005 by Back for a while
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
The documentation for BarFly gives an excellent tutorial on ABC, so even if you don't use a Mac, see if you can download and uncompress BarFly, and open its documentation in whatever ABC program you use. See the links section for the URL.
# Posted on August 7th 2005 by GaryAMartin
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
"there's no real need to be able to read "abc". . . "
There is, however, a convenience factor in being able to partake in online discussions and examples without having to go through the conversion process for every snippet.
KFG
# Posted on August 7th 2005 by KFG
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
Don't worry. ABC is really pretty simple. If even I can do it, then so can anyone else. And if worse comes to worse, throw yourself on the mercy of Dow or Will. Both of them for suckers for "please" and it's always worked for me.
Anyway, there's several links to ABC tutorials and such in the Links section here at The Session. Avail yourself of the info contained at those sites, and you're gold.
# Posted on August 7th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
KFG, that's another good reason for being able to read "abc" but I feel that being able to write it is more important and, if you can do this, reading it shouldn't be any problem.
# Posted on August 7th 2005 by Back for a while
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
I like writing in ABC because my handwriting is so messy that if I write things in musical notation, I won't be able to read them later.
(That, and the fact that ABC works on regular lined paper, or e-mail, so I don't need to worry about special paper, or PDFs).
# Posted on August 7th 2005 by Toresica
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
Hi there's a great ABC tutorial here:
http://staffweb.cms.gre.ac.uk/~c.walshaw/abc/
# Posted on August 8th 2005 by meri-lawes
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
That and you can print out a legible tune that would fit on a 3x5 card, therefore can carry yr music book in a shirt pocket.
# Posted on August 9th 2005 by Owell Mabee
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
Excuse me if I missed something, but it appears Tim doesn't have the ABC program and the link wasn't mentioned in the responses. Just download ABC from abc2win.com and pay the current fee (very cheap) and all the instructions come with it. (very easy)
# Posted on August 14th 2005 by banjobabe
Re: Learning to Write ABC format
"That and you can print out a legible tune that would fit on a 3x5 card, therefore can carry yr music book in a shirt pocket. "
You know, I hadn't thought of that.
*wanders off to find some Q-cards.*
# Posted on August 14th 2005 by Toresica