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Using 'p' (Parts) In Abc Code...or Not


bellowbelle

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Writing code in ABC2Win (not Barfly, this time), I've successfully used the P field to indicate parts. ABABCAB, etc.

 

However, now I'm working on something where it's 'sort of' ABACA, but it ends with a 'tag' or whatever that is a mix and variation of A and B. It seems like it would be weird to call it 'D,' a new part.

 

I can give the example later...not at the moment...but just in case anyone has run into the same problem, I'm asking what to try to do.

 

Maybe just use repeats where necessary and write in the 'D.C. Al Segno' And 'Fine' and all that?

 

 

 

 

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Are you writing the abc to generate sheet music or to generate MIDI playback?

 

Abc2MIDI, which is the standard playback engine in packages like EasyAbc and AbcExplorer, does have some issues around the D.C. syntax, most of which can be resolved for playback by being very particular about where you put your repeat marks (and, of course, using the correct !D.C.! syntax rather than adding the markings as text.) For most standard repeat scenarios the syntax is fine, but abc2MIDI does struggle with really complex repetition layouts.

 

Where I would agree with Jack is that we'll be able to help more with an example of the code.

 

As a side issue could I try to persuade you off of the outdated and non-standard Abc2Win onto one of the more moderm packages like the two I mention above? They're free to try and keep, Abc2Win hasn't been updated for many years and you're missing out on a whole raft of updates to the syntax that will make your scores so much nicer ....

 

[edited for typos. Too early in the morning.]

Edited by Steve Mansfield
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I can't see what the problem is in simply writing a 'D' part, if that's the simplest way of doing it? Many 'B' and 'C' parts contain measures from 'A' parts, but these are normally written out fully, so I don't see why this should be any different. To my mind, the principal object is to provide clear information to whoever is reading it, even if it's just for yourself...

 

Adrian

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Okay here's what I just put at my bandcamp site, for this tune:

 

Link to Paying No Mind tune so far

(note -- free to play -- you don't have to buy it)

 

I think I can put the ABC here -- which I did in fact create with EasyABC, not ABC2Win as I said -- sorry about that error:

 

X:2
T:Paying No Mind
C:Wendy Stanford
M:4/4
L:1/4
P:ABACD
K:G
P:A
Gda'/>g'/=f'/>e'/|1d'G[d2b2d'2]:|2(d'G[db-d'-][abd')]|]
P:B
[c2-a2][c-g][c-a]|[c-b][c-a][c2g2]|[=F2-e2-a2][F-e-g][Fea]|[=Fb]ag[de]|
P:C
|:[G,2C2G2]cd|[D4G4C4d4]|[G,2C2G2]cd|1[C4G4A4d4]:|2[C2-G2-d2-e2-][G,2C2G2d2e2]|]
P:D
|:Gda'/>g'/=f'/>e'/|d'G[d2b2d'2]:|[c2-a2][c-g][c-a]|[c-b][c-a][c2g2]|
[=F2-e2-a2][F-e-g][Fea]|[=F2b2]ag|[C4-G4-e4-]|[C4G4e4]|]
I'll make a recording when I can, playing my concertina and foot bass.
I'm in a bit of a hurry at the moment...will come back...but anyway I've gone with using a 'D' part for now.
This is a short tune, only 1 minute long as it is, but I still find it easier to remember it if I give it sections.
Back later...
Edited by bellowbelle
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Hi again all. Thanks for your input.

 

The midi file generated by the EasyABC is what I wanted, and the visual notation looks okay to me, so unless I missed some other very clever trick that makes it even better (as in more concise, etc.), then I guess I've done it 'right.'

 

I know it's such a short tune to be using all those indications for parts -- but I should mention that I prefer playing by ear and I don't like to try to really read much written music. I need it, to remember details at times, but I really just want to have the tune in my head.

 

So, maybe it's odd to someone who is very experienced in using sheet music, and possibly even likes complicated written stuff...but I'm afraid that's not me!

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Do you really mean all those huge leaps?

 

I attach what BarFly makes of it.

 

 

 

Well....it SOUNDS right....the actual size of the leap is not incorrect. As far as I know I've chosen the most sensible way to notate the tune without having to use notation for bass clef (in addition to the treble clef).

 

Since my instrument is a Geordie baritone, I technically can't even play the high notes that I've used -- I can (technically speaking) play from the lowest bass clef line to one line above the top line of the treble clef -- here's the note chart from the Button Box site (must click on 'note chart' and see baritone).

 

(I have the Albion treble EC, too, but tend to pick up the baritone more often.)

 

Hmm...maybe I can shift the notation all down by one octave....

 

though, one reason I'm creating these tunes is to improve my ability to sightread higher notes and to use the whole range of the concertina buttons (...and I play a piano-accordion too so that's part of the mix).

 

Something tells me I don't want to shift it all down....anyway, the size of the leaps would be the same.

 

I want to record the actual playing of the tune but I want to add the foot bass as well....I've yet to try that. So I'll be back...

Edited by bellowbelle
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Still not recorded...but, anyway, I'm going to make a few changes to it, and add the foot bass, etc., etc... (I see a spot I don't like and I'm not sure what I was thinking, then....paying no mind, I guess.. :blink: )

 

And I've come to the conclusion that what I (if not anyone else!) should do is, when first writing a tune, use the 'P' field and indicate parts in order to get a good midi. And I will probably add to my final copy a note, above or below the score, that indicates what parts there are. BUT --

 

I think that by the time I add chord symbols and whatever, when all is said and done, I'll be better off to use the 'other' type of scoring....excuse my terminology if it's vague or wrong....what I mean is that I'll use repeats, master repeats, Dal Segno, Coda, blah blah blah.

 

For one thing, the little A, B, C, D part symbols get lost among any additional symbols for chords.

 

So, for the convenience of memorizing, I prefer and will use the P field, but for making a sight-readable score I'll use the other.

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...For one thing, the little A, B, C, D part symbols get lost among any additional symbols for chords...

 

You could try putting:

 

%%partsbox 1

 

in your ABC file at the top, and you will get the parts labels surrounded by a little box.

I have found this very useful for spotting the parts amongst the chords.

 

You could also change the size and font:

 

%%partsfont Helvetica-Bold 16

 

but maybe that's a bit extreme...

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...For one thing, the little A, B, C, D part symbols get lost among any additional symbols for chords...

 

You could try putting:

 

%%partsbox 1

 

in your ABC file at the top, and you will get the parts labels surrounded by a little box.

I have found this very useful for spotting the parts amongst the chords.

 

You could also change the size and font:

 

%%partsfont Helvetica-Bold 16

 

but maybe that's a bit extreme...

 

 

Ahh, nice! Thanks, I'll try that.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Okay, here's the link to the audio at bandcamp:

Paying No Mind

 

This links to the ABC code (rtf file)

 

Or better yet, here it is:

X:2
T:Paying No Mind
T:for English concertina & foot bass
C:Wendy Stanford
C:(Play chords above staves; chords below are extra info.)
M:4/4
L:1/4
P:ABACADDBAE
%%partsbox 1
K:G
P:A
"G"Gda'/>g'/=f'/>e'/|1d'G[d2b2d'2]:|2(d'G[db-d'-]"_Gadd9"[abd')]|]
P:B
"C""_C6"[c2-a2][c-g][c-a]|"_(M7)"[c-b][c-a][c2g2]|"F""_FM7"[=F2-e2-a2]"_(M9)"[F-e-g][Fea]|"_(b5)"[=Fb]ag"_F6add9"[de]|
P:C
|:"C"[G,2C2G2]cd|"_Cadd9"[D4G4C4d4]|[G,2C2G2]cd|1"_C6add9"[C4G4A4d4]:|2"_Cadd9"[C2-G2-d2-e2-][G,2C2G2d2e2]|]
P:D
"F""_F(b5)"[=f2-b2][f-a][f-b]|[f-d'][f-c'][f-b][fa]|[c2-=f2-b2][c-f-a][c-f-b]|
[c-f-d'][c-f-c'][c-f-b][cfa]|:"C"[c2-a2][c-g][c-a]|[c2-e2-][G2c2e2]:|
P:E
"C""_C6"[c2-a2][c-g][c-a]|"_(M7)"[c-b][c-a][c2g2]|"F""_FM7"[=F2-e2-a2]"_(M9)"[F-e-g][Fea]|
"_(b5)"[=F2b2]ag|"C"[C4-G4-e4-]|[C4G4e4]|]
Hmm....I'm seeing red lines....don't know why....
I have this as a PDF too....same thing...so

 

 

So now I know more about using the P field in EasyABC....good!

 

I'd say more about the tune right now but my eyes are slamming shut. Awake late because it's been so cold and the cat (kind of feral) keeps insisting on going outside and then I have to make sure he comes back in....so far, so good, but as soon as I close my eyes he'll meow....

 

Edited by bellowbelle
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My wife, Sue Welsh, wrote some new words to the tune of 'Rolling Down to Old Maui':

 

It's a damn hard life full of toil and strife

We pussycats must endure

And we don't give a damn when we're eating our spam

What it cost you at the store

For we're always going out that door and we're always coming in

And we always say, as we are on our way

Let me out right now, Meowee

Let me out right now, Meowee me boys, let me right out now, Meowee

And we always say, when we are on our way

Let me out right now, Meowee

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Ha, love that! :lol:

 

Yeah, this cat refuses to come inside unless he absolutely must (like when it's really too cold). Then if I try to just ignore him when he wants to go out, he won't quit meowing.

 

I have made numerous outdoor shelters...anyone interested, I'll tell you about my best results, with that -- but the problem with the shelters is that they attract other animals. One winter, I housed a 'possum for a while! Animal Control said that onions will keep away the possums but I don't think the cat likes onions, either! :huh:

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