ABC File Documentation

Overview

Feature Value
Format Name ABC Music Notation
File Extension .abc
MIME Type text/vnd.abc
Text-based Yes
Primary Usage Music Notation
Opens With ABC Players, Text Editors
Character Encoding ASCII or UTF-8
Note Representation Alphabet letters (A-G)
Duration Representation Numerical (e.g., 1, 2, 4)
Key Signature Representation K: field
Time Signature Representation M: field
Rhythm Representation L: field (default note length)
Support for Lyrics Yes
Support for Chord Symbols Yes
Metadata Support Title, Composer, etc.
Multi-part Music Supported with V: field
Inline Comments Yes, with % symbol
Macro Support Yes
Can Include MIDI Instructions Yes
Transposition Support Yes