Common header elements:

  • X: index number, required in some software [e.g. X:1]
  • T: title [e.g T: Happy Birthday]
  • M: meter, required [e.g. M:C, M:4/4, M:3/4]
  • L: default note length [e.g. L:1/2, L:1/4, L:1/8]
  • Q: tempo [e.g. Q:120, Q:1/8=120, Q:1/4=60]
  • K: key signature, required [e.g. K:G, K:Gm]
  • V: voice, can set the clef [e.g. V:1 name=Violin, V:2 name=Cello clef=bass]

Common notation elements:

  • bottom octave CDEFGAB, top octave cdefgab [e.g. C = middle C]
  • z rest
  • , down an octave, ' up an octave [e.g. C, or c']
  • ^ sharps, _ flats [e.g. ^c or _c]
  • make note longer by multiplying number, or shorter by a / dividing number [e.g. a2 or a/2]
  • notes separated by spaces will not have beams, those together will [e.g. a b c versus abc]
  • | barline, |] double bar, |: repeats :|

For help, check the ABC Tutorial.