ChordPro
The ChordPro (also known as Chord) is an ASCII text file format for transcribing songs with chords and lyrics.
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.
Basic Input Format
ChordPro file format contains chords in square brackets within song lyrics:
What [Em]child is [G]this, who, [D]laid to rest
On [Em]Mary's [Am]lap, is [B]sleeping?
Whom [Em]angels [G]greet with [D]anthems sweet,
While [Em]shepherds [B]watch are [Esus]keep[Em]ing?
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.
Chords
Chords are delimited by square brackets. If the chord name follows a known system it can be properly interpreted by a program. Non-standard names are allowed.
Directives
ChordPro format allows users to mark sections of a song, such as Title, Subtitle, Key, Time, Chorus etc through special keywords enclosed by { and } parenthesis called directives. Some directives change the output, while others are not displayed and are primarily used to keep track of meta-data.
{title: What Child Is This?}
{subtitle: Traditional Christmas Song}
{key: Em}
{lyricist: William Dix, 1837-1898}
{composer: GREENSLEEVES, a 17th Century English Air}
{time: 6/8}
{ccli: 2766502}
# 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
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.
External links
- ChordPro.org -- main website for the format.
- ChordPro Project on GitHub
- User Forum on Groups.io
- Chordii -- a legacy release of Chord utility, supporting version 4.