ABC notation/headers

This chapter explains headers for ABC notation. A header begins with a letter followed by a column ':' and information like below.

Q: "Andante"

list of headers

Symbol	Field name	Explanation
C:	composer
K:	key	key signature like G Dur
L:	note length	default note length, like 1/4 stands for Crotchet for default length
M:	metre	musical metre
N:	note	textual notes
O:	origin	geographical origin like Irish and Swedish
Q:	tempo	the tempo of a tune like 1/8=120 and "Allegro"
T:	title	title of the music
X:	index number	a tune's index number is used like the track number in a recording

explanations

key

A key signature is indicated by the 'K:' header. G Dur is indicated by 'K:G'. Sharp and flat is expressed by '#' and 'b' respectively. So, Fis Dur and As Dur is indicated by 'K:F#' and 'K:Ab' respectively. Dur is assumed, but we can specify it by 'maj' like 'K:Gmaj'. Moll is indicated by 'm' or 'min' like 'K:Gm' or 'K:Gmin'.

default note length

The header 'L:' indicates default note length. The length of a note which is not followed by a note length is this default note length. Minim, crotchet and quaver as a default length is indicated by 'L:1/2', 'L:1/4' and 'L:1/8'. Note length is expressed by multiple of the default length. The below is example.

X:1
K:G
L:1/4
M:C
cdef|gabz|c1/2d1/2e1/2f1/2|g1/2a1/2b1/2z1/2|
L:1/16
cdef|gabz|c4d4e4f4|g4a4b4z4|

musical metre

Musical metre is denoted by the 'M:' header. Example metres are described in the table below.

Symbol	meaning
M:4/4	4/4
M:12/16	12/16
M:C	common time, same as M:4/4
M:C\|	cut time, same as M:2/2
M:none	free metre, no time signature and no cheking

We can put a musical metre in the middle of a line by using square bracket. The example is below.

X:1
K:C
L:1/4
M:C
cdef|gabz|
M:C|
L:1/2
cd|ef|ga|bz|
M:4/4
L:1/4
cdef|gabz| [M:12/16] c1/4d1/4e1/4 f1/4g1/4a1/4 b1/4z1/2 z3/4|

tempo

The 'Q:' header indicates the tempo of a music like described in the below table.

symbol	explanation
Q:1/4=120	note and count
Q:120	count only
Q:"Andante"	tempo is expressed by a letter "Andante"