Joe, ABC is a simple format invented to allow sharing of simple melodies through email. It's easy to learn, as long as you understand the basics of music notation (because ABC is just a way to use text to encode the musical notes and durations). It's possible to read ABC directly, but most of the time it's used as a format that's fed into a converter that then generates a sound file or the music notation ("dots").
Glauber's right that it helps to understand regular sheet music notation, but it's not essential. Another way to look at abc notation is to realize the letters are simply the letters of the notes you play to make the tune. Upper case (capital) letters run from middle C (ring finger on 4th string on a fiddle, or the note below the last one you can play on a D flute) up to the B before the next octave c, which then goes on up in lower case (little) letters (d e f g a, etc.). Below middle C, you add a comma--so G, is the fiddle's 4th string open.
Everything else is just abc's convention for breaking the notes into musical bars, particular time signatures, keys, etc., and dealing with the nuances of accidentals, accents, and so on.
You can do a tolerable job of reading abcs by just following the letters along on your instrument. Start with a tune you already know and find abc notation for it. It will start to make sense the second time round. The ABC links Glauber mentions will help you understand the finer points.
I'd recommend that you get comfortable reading abcs and playing tunes from it before you try posting a tune here. much like written language, it's harder to write than it is to read, and there are a few hoops to jump through to post a tune correctly.
ABC format is great. I do a lot of transcription and with a little work I got to the point where I can transcribe and sightread in abc almost as well as I could in standard notation. The difference is that using ABC, I can use any piece of paper - I don't need score paper. I even use it for piano music or harmony vocals! That is, I don't know if there is a standard of how to use it for polyphonic stuff, but I use the general idea of it.
ABC format
ABC format
Hi. I'm new to Irish music, and I am terribly confused about the ABC format and how to use it. Please enlighten me.
# Posted on September 16th 2002 by joebrew
Re: ABC format
Joe, ABC is a simple format invented to allow sharing of simple melodies through email. It's easy to learn, as long as you understand the basics of music notation (because ABC is just a way to use text to encode the musical notes and durations). It's possible to read ABC directly, but most of the time it's used as a format that's fed into a converter that then generates a sound file or the music notation ("dots").
The place to start is here:
http://www.gre.ac.uk/~c.walshaw/abc/
Then check the ABC section of our own "links" page.
# Posted on September 16th 2002 by glauber
Re: ABC format
Glauber's right that it helps to understand regular sheet music notation, but it's not essential. Another way to look at abc notation is to realize the letters are simply the letters of the notes you play to make the tune. Upper case (capital) letters run from middle C (ring finger on 4th string on a fiddle, or the note below the last one you can play on a D flute) up to the B before the next octave c, which then goes on up in lower case (little) letters (d e f g a, etc.). Below middle C, you add a comma--so G, is the fiddle's 4th string open.
Everything else is just abc's convention for breaking the notes into musical bars, particular time signatures, keys, etc., and dealing with the nuances of accidentals, accents, and so on.
You can do a tolerable job of reading abcs by just following the letters along on your instrument. Start with a tune you already know and find abc notation for it. It will start to make sense the second time round. The ABC links Glauber mentions will help you understand the finer points.
I'd recommend that you get comfortable reading abcs and playing tunes from it before you try posting a tune here. much like written language, it's harder to write than it is to read, and there are a few hoops to jump through to post a tune correctly.
# Posted on September 16th 2002 by Will Harmon
Re: ABC format
ABC format is great. I do a lot of transcription and with a little work I got to the point where I can transcribe and sightread in abc almost as well as I could in standard notation. The difference is that using ABC, I can use any piece of paper - I don't need score paper. I even use it for piano music or harmony vocals! That is, I don't know if there is a standard of how to use it for polyphonic stuff, but I use the general idea of it.
joe
# Posted on September 17th 2002 by jomac
Re: ABC format
Polyphonic: you can do chords using [] (e.g.: [CEG]) or use separate voices with V:.
http://www.gre.ac.uk/~c.walshaw/abc/abc-draft.txt
http://www.ucolick.org/~sla/abcmusic/sym7mov2.html
# Posted on September 17th 2002 by glauber