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The ChordPro (also known as Chord) is an
ASCII
ASCII ( ), abbreviated from American Standard Code for Information Interchange, is a character encoding standard for electronic communication. ASCII codes represent text in computers, telecommunications equipment, and other devices. Because ...
text
file format for transcribing songs with
chords and
lyrics
Lyrics are words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist. The words to an extended musical composition such as an opera are, however, usually known as a " libretto" and their writer, ...
.
The format was originally used for guitar, but is used for variety of other string instruments, such as ukulele, bass guitar or mandolin.
Although this format is legible as it is, there are many popular programs for displaying, transposing and printing.
Files in this format often have extensions such as .crd, .chopro, .pro, .chordpro or .cho.
The newest version of the format is v6.
Basic Input Format
ChordPro file format contains chords in square brackets within song lyrics:
What mhild is his, who, aid to rest
On mary's map, is leeping?
Whom mngels reet with nthems sweet,
While mhepherds atch are suseep mng?
Programs convert this format to:
Em G D
What child is this, who, laid to rest
Em Am B
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Em G D
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
Em B Esus Em
While shepherds watch are keep ing?
Output often significantly varies by program, software platform, output media etc.
Directives
ChordPro format allows users to mark sections of a song, such as Title, Subtitle, Key, Time, Chorus etc. through special keywords enclosed by curly brackets () called ''directives''. Some directives change the output, while others are not displayed and are primarily used to keep track of meta-data.
# This song is believed to be in the public domain. More information can be found at:
# http://www.pdinfo.com/PD-Music-Genres/PD-Christmas-Songs.php
# http://www.ccli.com/Licenseholder/Search/SongSearch.aspx?s=2766502
[https://github.com/pathawks/Christmas-Songs/blob/master/What%20Child%20Is%20This.cho]
History
In June 1991 Martin Leclerc and Mario Dorion created the Chord program and source file notation format.
For several years there was no active development of the software.
In 2007 Johan Vromans and Adam Monsen revived the project under a new name Chordii, supporting ChordPro format version 4.
In 2015 Johan Vromans started yet another re-write of the tool and called it ChordPro. This release supports ChordPro format version 5 and is in active development.
References
External links
ChordPro.org -- main website for the format.ChordPro Project on GitHubUser Forum on Groups.io
Music notation file formats
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