alda

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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 interoperability 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 ### Building from source Another option is to build Alda from source. Alda consists of two components: the **client** (written in Go) and the **player** (written in Kotlin/Java). ```bash # Clone the repo git clone https://github.com/alda-lang/alda.git cd alda # Build the client and player executables client/bin/build player/bin/build ``` The executables are built in `client/target` and `player/target`, and the output of the build commands shows you the path to the built executables, which include builds for various OS/arch combinations. For more details, see the READMEs in the [client](client/README.md) and [player](player/README.md) directories. ## 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 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-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 © 2012-2026 Dave Yarwood et al Distributed under the Eclipse Public License version 2.0.