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https://github.com/alda-lang/alda

A music programming language for musicians. :notes:
https://github.com/alda-lang/alda

alda hacktoberfest music music-composition music-programming music-programming-language programming-language

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A music programming language for musicians. :notes:

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README 

        


  

    alda logo

  



  


  Installation

  |

  Docs

  |

  Changelog

  |

  Contributing



  


  



  

    Join us on Slack!

  

  



Alda is a text-based programming language for music composition. It allows you

to compose and play back music using only your text editor and the command line.



```alda

piano:

  o3

  g8 a b > c d e f+ g | a b > c d e f+ g4

  g8 f+ e d c < b a g | f+ e d c < b a g4

  << g1/>g/>g/b/>d/g

```



> For more examples, see these [example scores](./examples/).



The language's design equally favors aesthetics, flexibility and ease of use.



(Why compose music this way instead of in a graphical sheet music notation

program? See [this blog post][alda-blog-post] for a brief history and

rationale.)



[alda-blog-post]: https://blog.djy.io/alda-a-manifesto-and-gentle-introduction/



## Features



* Easy to understand, markup-like syntax.

* Designed for musicians who don't know how to program, as well as programmers

  who don't know how to music.

* A score is a text file that can be played using the `alda` command-line tool.

* [Interactive REPL](doc/alda-repl.md) lets you enter Alda code and hear the

  results in real time.

* Supports [writing music

  programmatically](doc/writing-music-programmatically.md) (for algorithmic

  composition, live coding, etc.)

* Create MIDI music using any of the instruments in the [General MIDI Sound

  Set][gm-sound-set]



[gm-sound-set]: http://www.midi.org/techspecs/gm1sound.php



### Planned



> If you'd like to help, come on in -- [the water's fine](#contributing)!



* [Run Alda in the browser](https://github.com/alda-lang/alda/discussions/455)

* [Define and use waveform synthesis instruments](https://github.com/alda-lang/alda/discussions/435)

* [Export to MusicXML](https://github.com/alda-lang/alda/discussions/424) for inter-operability with other music software

* [Improve Raspberry Pi support](https://github.com/alda-lang/alda/discussions/456)



## Installation



See [the official website][alda-install] for instructions to install the latest

release of Alda.



[alda-install]: https://alda.io/install



## Demo



For an overview of available commands and options:



    alda --help



To play a file containing Alda code:



    alda play --file examples/bach_cello_suite_no_1.alda



To play arbitrary code at the command line:



    alda play --code "piano: c6 d12 e6 g12~4"



To start an interactive [Alda REPL](doc/alda-repl.md) session:



    alda repl



## Documentation



Alda's documentation can be found [here](doc/index.md).



## Contributing



We'd love your help -- Pull Requests welcome!



For a top-level overview of things we're talking about and working on, check out

the [Alda GitHub Project board][gh-project].



For more details on how you can contribute to Alda, see [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).



> Another way you can contribute is by [sponsoring Dave][gh-sponsor] in the

> future development of Alda.



[gh-org]: https://github.com/alda-lang

[gh-project]: https://github.com/orgs/alda-lang/projects/1

[gh-sponsor]: https://github.com/sponsors/daveyarwood



## Support, Discussion, Camaraderie



**Slack**: Joining the [Alda Slack group](http://slack.alda.io) is quick and

painless. Come say hi!



**Reddit**: Subscribe to the [/r/alda](https://www.reddit.com/r/alda/)

subreddit, where you can discuss all things Alda and share your Alda scores!



## License



Copyright © 2012-2024 Dave Yarwood et al



Distributed under the Eclipse Public License version 2.0.