ABC to standard notation

Subject: ABC to standard notation
From: Harper42
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 10:10 PM

Before my previous computer crashed, I had bookmarked a site where I could "copy" a tune in ABC notation and "paste" it into the site's box and it would change the tune into standard notation. Anyone know of such a site?   Thanks so much!!

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: masato sakurai
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 10:23 PM

The site probably is CONCERTINA_net - Tune-O-Tron Converter.

~Masato

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 10:23 PM

This one? ConcertinaNet and their ABC Convert-A-Matic

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 10:25 PM

...and Masato beats me by mere seconds.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 12:57 AM

Still, 13 minutes is not good, not good at all. Haven't you done this in under three minutes, Jeri?
-Joe Offer, who can't do better-

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 01:46 AM

If you have the ABC2MID utility, you can make a midi from the ABC and nearly all scoring programs can make standard notation from the midi. MIDI to score can be pretty messy with complex midis, but most things in ABC come across pretty easily.

John

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 01:52 AM

The last time I tried to access the ABC2MID utility website from a link in one of the threads, I couldn't get it. Do we have an updated link?

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 02:16 AM

Sorry, meant the TEXT2MIDI thingie...

BTW ensure that you have the new correct ABC home page at http://staffweb.cms.gre.ac.uk/~c.walshaw/abc/

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 02:39 AM

BTW, you may be very interested in these pages

A short history of abc

ABC Music Notation: History

Robin

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: pavane
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 02:46 AM

You could use a program like mine (HARMONY) to do it without needing the net - as long as you are using Windows!

abc to MIDI to score can introduce problems due to the extra conversion needed. There are limitations introduced at each stage.

(HARMONY can also import and display multi-voice abc and aligned lyrics, as well as reading and writing MIDI.)

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: IvanB
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 08:16 PM

Robin, Alan Foster moved to another web host sometime in the past couple years, so the old links to MIDItext are now obsolete. It can currently be found here: MIDItext

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 09:18 PM

When (if indeed if - I've not even made Norwich session for weeks panick attacks, etc have been so grim), I hope to have something similar to the Tune-O-Tron up and running. They may have changed thire now but when I last looked, they were running abc2ps where as I intend running a version of the abcplus/ 1.7 abcm2ps - more in the direction abc is going.

I had one for a brief period but had to take it down as when bad abc came in, on one instance, it all but crashed a server shared by many users. John Chambers has suggested code that may give me the time out and kill if something fails option I need, but seriously, lately I've not felt well enough (when you get thoughts for example like OMG I'm about to have a heart attack - it is difficult to concentrate on the task in hand - I manage a post like this but nithing involving more thought/time) to try to enter into the adding of the code and a special compilation.

I'll report back more if I get there and apologise. Issues like security or other "emergencies" are things I will always tke on - even if on my death bed - but more trivial things like that sort of enhancement which I'd probably have been able to put into action within a day before have to wait for now.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 09:24 PM

Great! Thanks!

I can get to that page, but any attempt to get the SW causes a '404 - not available' error. Of course I default to not accepting cookies, but I don't think that is it. The link goes to a BigPond URL, and that is what is not available.

Robin

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 08:34 PM

There's yet another on-line service to create sheet music from ABC Notation at http://abc.story5000.org/ HERE.

It doesn't offer the very high quality PDF conversion at Concertina.net, but the output is nevertheless quite good for those of average vision. (I do have a doubt in my mind as to how it handles scores of more than 1 page - perhaps some other Mudcatters could perform a little experiment).

The other software which has disappeared form the Web is the Windows front end:

abcMIDIfier
A Windows utility by Dave Glenn which provides a user-friendly front-end to James Allwright's abcMIDI package.

I lost mine in a recent hard disc cataclysm. If anyone has an executable Windows version, or knows of a workable on-line download link, you can have dinner at my house.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 08:51 PM

Ivan B's link above to the MIDItext utility as wrir by Alan Foster does not work. I would very much appreciate a copy or an active link.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 09:27 AM

Thanks to Snuffy for the software updates. I'm now fairly certian that Concertina.net is still using an old version of ABC2MISI - Seymour Shlien is now managing its development. In the fullness of time the OnLine ABC to MIDI Converter at Concertina.net might employ the later update.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 09:35 AM

John - I've lost your e-mail address - I've got the miditxt file.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: pavane
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 11:33 AM

Please tell me if there is anything I need to add to HARMONY for this task?

(Other than making it run under LINUX or on a Mac, which are not feasible at present)

If you REALLY want to do it just by pasting into window on a server, would I be able to provide this without a total rewrite?

HARMONY can run in batch mode. Can VB executables be run on a server, depending on the OS it is running?

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 07:31 PM

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

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: pavane
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 02:47 AM

I have tried to make the Import Lyrics function as easy as possible. This hasn't changed over the last few releases, it is mainly the score editing which has been improved.

If you have any ideas on further enhancements to Inport Lyrics, please let me know. Would Drag and Drop of words onto notes help?

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 07 - 09:58 PM

X:1

T:King Robert the Bruce

M:C

L:1/8

R:March

N:"Boldly"

S:Skinner – The Scottish Violinist

Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion

K:D

A, | {C}[DD>]E FD EA, D2 | {D}d>c .B/.A/.G/.F/ {D}FEEF | [DD>]E FD G>A B>B |

.A/.B/.c/.d/ .e/.f/.g/.e/ [Af][Fd][Fd] :| .a/.g/ | fDad b(G,G,) b/a/ | ^gEbE a(A,A,) a/=g/ |

fDaD b(G,G,)B, | A,/B,/C/D/ E/F/G/A/ FDDa | d'dDd' b(G,G,)b | e'b E^g a(A,A,>)B, |

[DD>]E FD EA, D2 | .A,/.B,/.C/.D/ .E/.F/.G/.A/ FDD ||

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 02:17 AM

I use BarFly on the Mac. If you're on Linux or Windows use abcm2ps, which will generate a high-quality PostScript file. (It runs on Macs too, but I've hardly ever needed better output than what BarFly produces).

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 09:08 AM

Some gaps in my musical knowledge.

By standard notation, do you mean 'the dots' ?

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: treewind
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 09:44 AM

Yes, the dots.
ABC was originally designed as a notation for input to a set of typesetting tools (mT_eX), for eventual printing.

Since then other software has been written to convert the same notation into Postscript (as mentioned by Jack), MIDI or direct to the printer, not to mention utilities for playing tunes back directly though your computer's speaker.

Anahata

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 01:05 PM

"ABC was originally designed as a notation for input to a set of typesetting tools (mTeX), for eventual printing. "

A purpose for which it's still excellent, better than anything else I've seen / tried / had the misfortune to try and read from (including Sibelius!), and it's free.

Paws

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: meself
Date: 31 May 18 - 12:38 PM

Does anyone know of a functioning on-line ABC-to-standard-notation converter? The ones on this thread are all deceased, defunct, debunked, decamped, etc.

(I downloaded the EasyABC program, but it ain't easy for me - I can't get it to actually do anything).

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Stanron
Date: 31 May 18 - 01:15 PM

Hi meself. Does the program actually run?

If so click on 'File' in the top left hand corner, select 'Open' and the direct the program to the file you wish to view.

It can help to have a folder with a name like 'ABC files' where all your abc files are kept.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: meself
Date: 31 May 18 - 01:30 PM

You'll have to speak slowly, you're talking to an idiot here. The program opens up - does that mean it's running? All I want to do is paste in my ABC's, click something, and see standard notation. I past in my ABC's - nothing happens - I don't see anything to click to make it convert ... ? However, somebody on another forum just told me that the 'latest version' of EasyABC doesn't work .....

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 31 May 18 - 01:50 PM

There's still a working one on www.mandolintab.net. With that you can convert to either tab or standard notation, and, bonus, transpose if you want to.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 May 18 - 02:05 PM

I keep a list of online converters on my website.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Stanron
Date: 31 May 18 - 02:16 PM

Hi meself.

When my program opens up I get four windows.

The top left is titled

Tune List

and under that is

No.|Title

The top right saya Musical score and that is where the score will appear, we hope.

Bottom left it says

ABC Assist

I guess that is some sort of help area but I'm a bloke and I don't go there.

Bottom right is titled

ABC Code.

Paste your file into there and the score should appear in the window above.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: meself
Date: 31 May 18 - 03:16 PM

"Paste your file into there and the score should appear in the window above."

That's where the problem is: I paste it in, but nothing happens in the 'Musical score' window .... A guy on another forum said that the 'latest version' of EasyABC just doesn't work .....

*******

I'm not having any luck with the mandolintab.net either: when I hit 'submit', my ABCs just reappear.

Think I'll try restarting my pc and see if that changes anything .....

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Stanron
Date: 31 May 18 - 03:40 PM

My version is

EasyABC 1.3.7.7 2017-08-31

It does just about everything but actually play the tune.

That's because I haven't figured out how to direct the program to my midi bits and I'm on linux.

If I want to hear the tune I just read the notation. I also have a program called ABCJ which has a limited range of ABC functions, but will play the tune. It will only read single line ABC files. For multiple line ABC files there is a program called Five Line Skink. ABCJ and Five Line Skink have different levels of functionality. Files which will play on one will turn up errors on another. They are both free open source programs and, I think, both available for Windows, Mac and Linux. When I used Windows I used the program called Windows Explorer. It kind of looks old fashioned now but back then it did all that I needed.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Stanron
Date: 31 May 18 - 03:43 PM

Oops typo alert.

I used a program called ABC Explorer not Windows Explorer.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: The Sandman
Date: 31 May 18 - 04:07 PM

learn to play by ear or learn to read music IMO abc is neither one thing or to ther, little indication of rythym is its major failing, and if you have the tune in your head and can sing it its pointless

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: leeneia
Date: 31 May 18 - 04:08 PM

This is my current converter:

http://mandolintab.net/abcconverter.php

Sometimes, when you encounter an ABC file, you have to type this:

X:1

as the top line. If a file has not been converting, that usually fixes it.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: meself
Date: 31 May 18 - 04:26 PM

Just tried that, doesn't work for me .... But I've figured out something through thesesssion that will be good enough for the moment. Thank you all for the input!

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 May 18 - 05:14 PM

abc is neither one thing or to ther, little indication of rythym is its major failing

You have obviously never used it or read the documentation.

I can think of only three rhythmic features found in staff notation that it omits. One is a precisely timed change of tempo - you can't say "start the next three bars at crotchet=80 and accelerate to crotchet=124". Another is nested tuplets, as used by "new complexity" composers; if you can find the cover image for the original LP of Brian Ferneyhough's Second String Quartet, it displays a bit of the score with quadruply nested quintuplets, i.e. the pulse is implicitly being divided by 625. And there is a problem with mutually prime polymetres, like 7 against 5 against 4 - look at the score for Ferneyhough's "Bone Litany" for examples like that (it's free on the web) - but even that can sorta be done by writing tuplets spanning whole bars, or you can use denominators that aren't powers of 2 for describing note lengths (which some ABC software can play, but nobody's figured out how to typeset it).

Do you really need that level of sophistication for the music you want to write down?

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: meself
Date: 31 May 18 - 05:54 PM

"learn to play by ear or learn to read music"

I am quite capable of playing by ear and am quite capable of reading music, thank you, if that was directed at me.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: meself
Date: 31 May 18 - 06:19 PM

Thanks everybody for your input and advice. I've figured out a way to do what I need to do for now using thesession's Add a Tune feature. I can at least look at the dots to check if my ABC is correct, which is what I need (the drawback is that I don't think I can 'copy' unless I add the tune to the archive, which I don't want to do, but I don't need a copy for the enterprise that I'm currently tangled up in, just correct ABCs) .....

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Mo the caller
Date: 01 Jun 18 - 07:22 AM

Sandman, there are other things that musicians need to do besides playing (either by ear or from dots).
E.g. playing the tricky bit of an alto line over and over to hammer it into the skull.
ABC is excellent for this, just programming it in gets me part of the way, and I can break a tune up into bits and concentrate on the dodgy bits.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 01 Jun 18 - 07:42 AM

Could it be that your ABC code contains something that the particular underlying notation software (usually the one called abcm2ps) considers a "syntax error"? Try typing (not pasting) some simple ABC code and see if that works. If so, experiment with longer snippets, until you find the culprit. It may even be some invisible "character" being pasted.

If you think you found a bug, report it.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Nick
Date: 01 Jun 18 - 07:42 AM

You could try ABC Explorer

I downloaded it recently when someone had a query.

All you would need to do to paste your ABC in is CRTL-F (which creates a new file) and F9 which will paste it in.

Your notes will appear below immediately and you can edit them either by the keyboard or directly edit the ABC. Probably lots of other things you can do too

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 18 - 08:06 AM

If you put the abc through mandolintab.net, it should produce a link to a log file. This should include errors and warnings generated by the underlying programs, eg. abcm2ps. That can help when your getting no output.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Jun 18 - 08:21 AM

There a few simple things that sometimes stop ABC working when you copy-paste across different platforms. One is leading spaces (this happens with a lot of ABC pasted into Mudcat, including stuff of mine before I figured out the problem). Another is extra spaces between lines, which may happen with end-of-line character conversions. Maybe the commonest is not having an X: line at the start of the tune, with the X at the left edge of the line.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: leeneia
Date: 01 Jun 18 - 09:31 AM

Thanks for the tips, Jack.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: meself
Date: 01 Jun 18 - 02:41 PM

Thanks, again, all. Keep it coming, if you feel so inclined.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Greenie
Date: 01 Jun 18 - 04:14 PM

I use EasyABC and sometimes I need to edit the ABC file for it to read it correctly. The most frequent problem is the loss of the X:1 line, as Leeneia says above.

What I find useful in EasyABC is the facility to export files as MusicXML.

I use Sibelius and importing midi files into my version of Sibelius frequently ignores the anacruses and bars of irregular length. Importing as a MusicXML file doesn't create this problem.

Greenie

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Jun 18 - 06:58 PM

ABC does some things Sibelius can't. One of them is key signatures containing both flats and sharps, common in Eastern European music. So if you exported something written that way to XML, Sibelius wouldn't know what to do with it.

I doubt if anything but an ABC implementation can do an equivalent of the ABC "part" construct. I use it a lot.

Subject: RE: ABC to standard notation
From: GUEST,IvanB
Date: 01 Jun 18 - 10:52 PM