ChordPro

• May 5, 2019 - 20:38

Add support for ChordPro files (chordpro.org) Thanks!
And, in <code>, language chordpro highlighting too :)


Comments

In reply to by SqueezeBoxer

From looking at the online users manual there would be a couple of options.

  1. Use the data file the ChordPro uses to convert this to a MuseScore file
  2. Use the experimental HTML version of the score as the basis for import

As for the output, the general score output would be something, that if done manually, could probably be done in about a minute by a competent MuseScore user. This leads me to believe that as long as the plugin API exists, this shouldn't be a difficult import (especially from the original data file).

I know a plugin can create new scores, can it also use a existing score (I would use it as a template) besides the current score for output? This would simplify things some. Thinking out loud, making this a command line plugin would probably make the most sense. I think plugins have some ability to read an existing non-MuseScore file so perhaps having the plugin read from the original ChordPro file and create a MuseScore file wouldn't be too difficult.

I see one big advantage to being to do this. You could let MuseScore playback your ChordPro score and have the chords sound like a guitar.

The advantage of using the HTML is that the plugin wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel to decide which diagrams to produce for example.

If this is doable and @jeetee or someone would give me some guidance (either here or on Telegram) I would be willing to create a plugin that would do this. I think it would be a good experience for me to learn qml.

@SqeezeBoxer, you would need to give me some advice from a user's point of view. Some things just won't translate directly to MuseScore, like Grids. I read a bit about the program but not every word. I didn't see an option for a PDF manual like MuseScore has. This would be nice rather than trying to navigate all of the internal links.

In reply to by mike320

I use scores like that frequently. Lyrics & chords for sections that I can easily memorize and small snippets of standard notation where I want an instrumental part to be specified exactly.

The interesting part is transposing these scores. I have two scenarios where I need to transpose :
1.) I need PDFs in different keys on my tablet for different line-ups or bands. Generating those from a single source file is the most convenient workflow. For standard notation in MuseScore that's easy enough: a single source MSCZ file, export PDF, transpose in MuseScore, export PDF again ... Most of the time no manual tweaks are required after transposing.
2.) I want to be prepared for sessions or rehearsals to play in any key that might be requested. Again easy with standard notation in MuseScore: I copy not only the PDF to my tablet but also the MSCZ or MusicXML file. When a different key is requested, I can switch from my PDF program (btw: Mobile Sheets Plus) to MuseScore Android or PhonicScore and transpose as needed. Layout details get lost but usually the result is good enough to be helpful.

For combinations of lyrics & chords with standard notation
1.) is a pain, 2.) is not possible.

When lyrics & chords is the base file:
Standard notation parts exported as images from MuseScore can be integrated into the lyrics & chord files. Any text editor and many ChordPro programs are able to do that.
Transposing means: transpose lyrics & chords (ChordPro does that automatically, text editor files need to be transposed manually). Transpose the standard notation part in MuseScore. Export image again and import it into the Lyrics & Chord file

When MSCZ is the base file:
The standard notation part can be transposed easily with MuseScore. The lyrics & chords part (in a text frame within the MSCZ file) needs to be transposed manually.

Both workflows can be managed, but it needs some effort and errors might occur. A single source file for several keys is not possible.

In reply to by SqueezeBoxer

You want to be able to do a specific thing in MuseScore that I understand. If there is going to be a utility that imports ChordPro files it should do a decent job of covering the options provided in ChordPro. I wouldn't mind seeing other people using the two programs together to get the results you are looking for but their should be the ability to import other things, like specified verses, choruses and even the chord tables I mentioned. In version 3 much of what I'm talking about would not playback properly but it would be easy to transpose and add melodic lines when they need written out.

Are you aware of a PDF user's manual for the program?

In reply to by mike320

ChordPro could mean two things: the file format specification and the reference implementation program.
There's no PDF manual. Technical information can be found in the wiki:
https://www.chordpro.org/beta/allpages/
https://www.chordpro.org/chordpro/
And there's a helpful forum and a GitHub repository:
https://github.com/ChordPro/chordpro
https://groups.io/g/ChordPro/topics
It is mainly a one-man project maintained by Sciurius, a very competent and cooperative guy. I'm sure he will support you in case of questions.

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