Transforms

Transforms modify the selected elements in an ABC document. They are applied through the editor (via LSP commands) or through the CLI. Each transform operates on the current selection and returns the modified text along with updated cursor positions.

Some transforms are context-aware: they use the key signature, chord symbols, or measure accidental state from the surrounding document to produce correct results.

Transposition and pitch

transpose

Transposes selected notes by N semitones, respecting the key signature and measure accidentals. Context-aware.

Before: K:C  C D E F
After (transpose +2): K:C  D E ^F G

enharmonize

Cycles through the enharmonic spellings of selected notes.

^F -> _G -> ^F

enharmonizeToKey

Re-spells selected notes to best fit the current key signature. Context-aware.

K:F  ^E -> F
K:Bb _A -> _A (already fits)

addSharp

Advances the accidental state of selected notes one step toward sharp. A natural note becomes sharp, a flat becomes natural, etc.

addFlat

Advances the accidental state of selected notes one step toward flat. A natural note becomes flat, a sharp becomes natural, etc.

Harmonization

This is an EXPERIMENTAL series of harmonization capabilities based off arranging techniques from the Berklee college. The goal is to provide some helpers to aid in arranging scores.

Expect bugs while using.

harmonize

Adds a harmonizing note N diatonic steps above or below each selected note.

Before: K:C  C E G
After (harmonize +3): K:C  [CE] [EG] [GB]

harmonizeVoicing

Generates a fully-voiced harmonic arrangement from chord symbols using a specified voicing type. Context-aware.

Available voicing types: close, drop2, drop24, drop3, cluster, spread.

Before: "Cmaj7"C
After (close voicing): "Cmaj7"[CEGB]

parallelVoicing

Shifts selected notes in parallel motion, following chord symbols. Can move diatonically, chromatically, or in a voicing-aware manner. Context-aware.

parallelDiatonic

Shifts selected notes to match the voicing of an adjacent chord (previous or next) using diatonic intervals. Each note is moved by the diatonic distance between the current chord root and the reference chord root. Context-aware.

parallelChromatic

Shifts selected notes to match the voicing of an adjacent chord (previous or next) using chromatic intervals. Each note is moved by the semitone distance between the current chord root and the reference chord root. Context-aware.

Rhythm

setRhythm

Sets the rhythm of selected notes and chords to a given rational duration (numerator/denominator).

Before: C D E F
After (setRhythm 1/4): C/4 D/4 E/4 F/4

addToRhythm

Adds a rational duration to the rhythm of selected notes and chords.

multiplyRhythm

Multiplies the duration of selected notes by a factor (default 2).

Before: C D E F
After (multiplyRhythm 2): C2 D2 E2 F2

divideRhythm

Divides the duration of selected notes by a factor (default 2).

Before: C2 D2 E2 F2
After (divideRhythm 2): C D E F

Conversion

toRest

Converts selected notes or chords to rests of the same duration.

Before: C2 [CEG] D
After: z2 z D

consolidateRests

Merges consecutive rests into a single rest of the combined duration.

Before: z z z z
After: z4

legato

Extends selected notes through the rests that follow them by replacing the rests with tied copies of the preceding note. Only regular rests are targeted (multi-measure rests are left unchanged).

Before: C2 z2 z2
After: C2-C2-C2

consolidateTiedNotes

Merges tied note sequences into single notes of the combined duration. This is the inverse of legato.

Before: C2-C2-C2
After: C6

toSlashNotation

Replaces selected measures with slash notation (stemless quarter-note slashes). Context-aware.

Structure

remove

Removes all selected nodes from the tree.

unwrapSingle

Unwraps single-note chords into plain notes by removing the chord brackets.

Before: [C] [E] [G]
After: C E G

explode2, explode3, explode4

Splits chords into 2, 3, or 4 separate voice lines, distributing chord notes across the voices.

Before: [CEGB]
After (explode2):
V:1  [GB]
V:2  [CE]

explosion

Time-aware chord explosion: distributes chord notes into separate voice lines synchronized by duration. Context-aware.

splitSystems

Splits or joins system line breaks at the given cursor positions. Context-aware.

Voice

addVoice

Inserts a new V: voice declaration into the tune header.

insertVoiceLine

Duplicates lines containing selected notes into a new voice. Non-selected notes are replaced with rests.

voiceInfoLineToInline

Converts V: info-line voice markers to inline [V:...] form.

Before:
V:1
C D E F

After:
[V:1] C D E F

voiceInlineToInfoLine

Converts [V:...] inline voice markers to V: info-line form. The inverse of voiceInfoLineToInline.