On Tue, 04 Jun 2002 12:37:51 UTC John Chambers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
| Tue, 4 Jun 2002, Atte Andre Jensen wrote:
| > * free
| > * stuff like my songbook (server generated pdf's in 12 keys) are AFAIK not
| > really possible using Finale
| > * runs on any platform
| > * small file size
| > * works on my Palm (and I typed quite a few songs during public
| > transportation)
| > * speed? I think I'm faster in abc than I used to be in encore, but I'm
| > not sure...
|
Guido Gonzato added:
| - very readable notation
| - implementations are very compact (say "no" to MusiXTeX ;-)
| - in many cases, it creates publication-quality sheet music.
Open Source.
One of my favorite ways to test music software is to attempt to enter
some of the better-known Balkan songs. For instance, Jovano, Jovanke,
which wants a meter of 7/8 and a key signature of one sharp and two
flats (^f_B_e). It's a simple little love song, right?
So far, all commercial music packages have flunked this test. When I
first tried abc2ps, I was duly impressed by the fact that it had no
problems with M:7/8, and did the right thing wih it. I was
disappointed that it wouldn't let me do a key signature of ^f_B_e.
But I had the source code, so I could fix this. Granted, most of the
other developers see no need for such capabilities, and despite a
number of discussions of the topic (in which several people gave
other good reasons for wanting such things), nothing much has
happened. But I and a few others can get good-looking music with
correct key sigs for non-Western music with abc.
With Finale and other commercial packages, the discussion would be
pointless. The code is owned by one corporation, and you must ask
them for features that you want. With abc, any programmer can get the
code to most of the software. If you need some capability that isn't
there, you can add it. If other abc programmers don't see the point,
well, you have software that does what you need. Jeff Moine can get
nice-looking choral music. Someone else can get tablature for all
sorts of instruments. Others can get songs with lyrics either aligned
with the notes or printed below the music. Still others can get MIDI
output with the voices specified in the abc. And so on.
Well, at least you can if you're a programmer. ;-)
=====================
I use ABC exclusively now. I tried graphical interface software, and find that I can
write out a tune faster in ABC right away than I can find the right graphical symbol
to put in a staff.
I, too, am compiling a tunebook for my own use and the use of people in our weekly jam
(Old Time and Celtic), as well as putting original compositions in abc.
I also like the fact that I can put in things like a 7/8 or 7/4 meter for a tune/song.
I haven't done it yet, but most likely I will. OK, so that's not in the Old Time
tradition, but then, they only played it that way once. ;-)
And I agree with the other reasons already stated for using ABC. A friend of mine
told me about ABC a little over a year ago, and I thought, "Type in music in text?!
Ridiculous!" However, she created a monster - I use it more than she does now, and
have assisted her in teaching workshops to inform people about the existence and use
of ABC in Hammered Dulciemr Festivals here in the States.
Rick
To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
