peter
Redefinable symbols
As a short cut to writing symbols which avoids the +symbol+ syntax (see decorations),
the letters H-W and h-w and the symbol ~ can be assigned with the U: field.
For example, to assign the letter T to represent the trill, you can write:
U: T = +trill+
You can also use "^text" etc (see Annotations below) in definitions, e.g.
U: X = ''^+''
to print a plus sign over notes with X before them.
Symbol definitions can be written in the file header, in which case they apply to all
the tunes in that file, or in a tune header, when they apply only to that tune, and
override any previous definitions.
Programs may also make use of a set of global default definitions, which apply
everywhere unless overridden by local definitions.
You can assign the same symbol to two or more letters e.g.
U: T = +trill+
U: U = +trill+
in which case the same visible symbol will be produced by both letters
(but they may be played differently),
and you can de-assign a symbol by writing:
U: T = +nil+
or
U: T = +none+
The standard set of definitions (if you do not redefine them) is:
U: ~ = +roll+
U: T = +trill+
U: H = +fermata+
U: L = +emphasis+
U: M = +lowermordent+
U: P = +uppermordent+
U: S = +segno+
U: O = +coda+
U: u = +upbow+
U: v = +downbow+
Please see ABCMacro for an advanced macro mechanism.