I am trying to open various ABC notation files in BIAB (using "open special") but it seems to have no effect at all. EasyABC plays the files fine, and BIAB throws no error, but I cannot get anything to work; "open special" completes but I have nothing to play.
Using Macintosh Version 2021 (504)
Below is an example of what doesn't work for me, the contents of file "speed.abc", as copied from http://abcnotation.com
If anyone has had better luck with this, could they possibly just paste in some simple ABC code that works for them? Thanks in advance.
I'm an old-time fiddle player and I've tried various ways to import ABC files into BIAB. BIAB does not correctly import pickup notes and 1st and 2nd endings from ABC files. Because you're importing the Melody along with the chords, (and most likely some repeats) it is hard to edit the file once it's in BIAB. Here's the way that works best for me:
1. In EasyABC, prepare the ABC file. If there are any pickup notes, add the appropriate number of rests in front of the pickup notes...otherwise BIAB will put the pickup notes at the beginning of the measure, NOT at the end.
2. I prefer to manually unfold any repeats while still in EasyABC. In other words, if Part A repeats twice and the Part B repeats twice, remove all the repeats and copy and paste Part A and Part B in their respective places. You will now have an ABC file that has two Part A's and two Part B's. The transition between the parts (what used to be 1st and 2nd endings) will almost always require a little manual editing.
3. Many ABC files I've run across have mistakes in them...not enough beats in a measure, wrong chord changes, etc. Carefully inspect the file for these kinds of errors... and make sure there is a thin-thick bar at the end of the song.
4. Export the song as a MusicXML file.
5. In BIAB, Open>Open MusicXML file and choose the file.
6. In the next dialog box, uncheck "Load all XML tracks to Melody". This will keep your melody on a separate track so you can mute or unmute as you wish. When I'm learning a song, I unmute the melody track. But I can also mute it and use just the accompaniment.
Just as a follow up, the ABC file you attached has no chords in it, so only the melody will import. When it opens in BIAB, you're looking at the chord sheet and will only see one chord in the first measure, a "G".
If you click on the "Notation" button, do you see anything that looks like what Pipeline posted?
Here's the text for another version of Speed the Plough with the chords. Try it. Note that BIAB ignores the repeats...you'll need to follow the steps in my first post to make it play Part A twice and then Part B twice.
Gary, thanks, but I tried your chorded ABC code and got the same result -- nothing. The notation view only shows me the default C chord on a staff, followed by slashes. The title isn't picked up, either, nothing is, and this is whether I create an .abc file or paste from the clipboard. I have seen your suggestion about MusicXML elsewhere, and have had some luck with that. Thanks again.
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