The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #73647   Message #1409904
Posted By: John in Brisbane
14-Feb-05 - 07:31 PM
Thread Name: ABC to standard notation
Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
Thanks MM, Snuffy has already sent me ABCMidifier and will send Alan Foster's program.

ABCMidifier is a nice simple Windows front end to the DOS version of the utility which converts ABC notation to MIDI. The underlying DOS program has been updated and considerably improved over the years by Seymour Shlien, but ABCMidifier incorporates a somewhat older version, with the bodgy guitar chord algorithm. I'll have a play to see if I can swap the executable file with its newer version. My first try last night didn't work, but that may have been finger trouble.

Pavane, as you'd be aware I haven't reviewed your revisions for quite a few months. From my perspective ABC notation for folk songs is unbelievably powerful for end users - in a tiny file you can embody the dots, aligned lyrics, guitar chords, extra lyrics and explanatory text to your hearts content.

Newbies can go to the likes of Concertina.net and immediately get a very high quality score and/or a MIDI file with basic auto accompaniment. No problems!

Slightly more advanced users can go to many programs, including yours, to do the extras, but WE are the minority.

I love ABC as a notation system, but I still find composition and editing of lyrics a real pain in the bum - as I've raised with you in the past. I still find myself using NoteWothy Composer as my prime medium for adding lyrics (and it has its own foibles) and then doing conversions back and forth between nwc, MIDI and ABC.

Will download your latest version and get back to you in the next week or so.

Regards, John