ABC notation

ABC Music Notation, alias ABC code, is 'the text-based music notation system and the de facto standard for folk and traditional music.' (Chris Walshaw)

It is a simple text method of representing music. A benefit is that it can easily be stored on computers using ASCII characters, and conveyed by electronic means. Ideally it requires a simple program to interpret it into usable music notation or some form of audible sound.

There are literally tens of thousands of folk dance tunes (as well as other tune forms) in this format on the internet.

The best place to seek information on the ABC format and a list of software that uses it is at the ABC Homepage run by the inventor, Chris Walshaw.

Another overview is in this Wikipedia article.

Quick Solutions

A quick way of getting a tune out of an abc file is to cut and paste the code into the interpreter at mandolintab.net

Some of the software required to access and use abc files requires a reasonable competence with computers but there are simple off -the-shelf solutions for those who just want to get going with the music.

If you use an Apple Mac computer you probably want to try the Barfly program. This shareware program will display music and play it via the MIDI on your computer. For printing, a good result can be obtained by exporting the abc as an abcm2ps file. If the little program (binary) from Fink is installed on the Mac then a good printout is achieved relatively easily.

If you use a PC Computer, then there are several programs available including the freeware ABCexplorer

This page will be expanded as necessary but there's enough here to get you started.