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2.3. The MusicData element
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2.3. The MusicData element

The MusicData element is just a collection of different objects, mainly Notes and Rests, but also other elements, such as Clefs or KeySignatures, are possible.

[12] MusicData ::= { Note | Rest | Chord | Clef | KeySignature | TimeSignature | Barline | Other }^*

Examples:

Single note:
(musicData (n c4 q))

C major scale:
(musicData (n c4 q)(n d4 q)(n e4 q)(n f4 q)(n g4 q)(n a4 q)(n b4 q)(n c5 q))

Short fragment with a measure:
(musicData (clef treble)(key C)(time 2 4)(n c4 q)(n e4 q)(n g4 q)(n c5 q)(barline))

2.3.1. The Clef element

Setting or changing the clef is done with the clef element:

[13]	`MusicData`	`::=`	(clef `ClefName` [`Tessitura`] [noVisible] )
[14]	`Tessitura`	`::=`	{ +8va \| -8va \| +15ma \| -15ma }

The tessitura implied by a clef can be modified by including a tessitura option, that will draw a 8va or 15ma symbol above (+8va, +15va) or below (-8va, -15ma) the clef, and force the corresponding octave shift. The tessitura option is only usable with G and F clefs.

	Warning
	Tessitura option is not yet supported.

Examples:

(clef G)            G clef
(clef bass)         F clef
(clef treble +8va)  G clef with 8va symbol above

Valid clef names are described in the following table:

ClefName	Meaning
treble, G, G2, violin	G clef on 2nd line
bass, F, F4	F clef on 4th line
baritone, F3	F clef on 3rd line
soprano, C1	C clef on 1st line
mezzosoprano, C2	C clef on 2nd line
alto, C3	C clef on 3rd line
tenor, C4	C clef on 4th line
percussion	Percussion clef

2.3.2. The Key element

Setting or changing the key signature is done with the key element:

[15] KeySignature ::= (key KeyName [noVisible] )

Examples:

(key F+)           F sharp major key
(key f+)           F sharp minor key
(key d-)           D flat minor key
(key C)            C major key

Valid values for tag KeyName are described in the following table:

KeyName	Key signature	KeyName	Key signature
C	C major	a	A minor
G	G major	e	E minor
D	D major	b	B minor
A	A major	f+	F sharp minor
E	E major	c+	C sharp minor
B	B major	g+	G sharp minor
F+	F sharp major	d+	D sharp minor
C+	C sharp major	a+	A sharp minor
C-	C flat major	a-	A flat minor
G-	G flat major	e-	E flat minor
D-	D flat major	b-	B flat minor
A-	A flat major	f-	F flat minor
E-	E flat major	c-	C flat minor
B-	B flat major	g-	G flat minor
F	F major	d-	D flat minor

2.3.3. The Time Signature element

Setting or changing the time signature is done with the TimeSignature element:

[16] TimeSignature ::= (time TopNumber BottomNumber [noVisible] )

Examples:

(time 2 4)
(time 3 8)
(time 5 8)

2.3.4. The Barline element

Element 'barline' is used to specify a barline at the end of a measure. You can specify a barline to be 'invisible' (that is, it will not be rendered). If the type of barline is not specified it is assumed to be a normal barline (simple line).

[17]	`Barline`	`::=`	{ (barline [ `BarlineType` ] [ noVisible ] ) \| `BarlineSign` }
[18]	`BarlineType`	`::=`	{ simple \| double \| end \| start \| startRepetition \| endRepetition \| doubleRepetition }
[19]	`BarlineSign`	`::=`	{ \| \| \|\| \| \|] \| [\| \| :\| \| \|: \| :: }

To abbreviate writing barlines the Barline element can be either a full element or a graphical sign (as in abc language).

Example:

(n c4 e)(n e4 e)(barline end)
nc4e ne |]

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2.2. The Instrument element	Table of contents	2.4. Notes and rests