2010–2026
tz guitar - read guitar tablature
tz guitar [infile [outfile]]
Preprocess input for the program tz mel to allow for guitar tablatures. Filenames default to /dev/stdin or /dev/stdout. The dash (-) is a shorthand for the default value.
The syntax of infile is as described in tz-mel(1), with the following exception: If a line contains at least two vertical bars (|), they act as separators between regions. If a region contains at least one hyphen-minus (-) or tilde (~), it represents one bar/measure. Here, the commands |, -, _, X, ~, ^, S, Z, N, and T cannot be applied as usual and the U of an ensuing Un can be omitted. The bar duration, defined beforehand via the |n command, is evenly distributed among the enclosed characters. The hyphen-minus (-), the underscore (_), and X represent a string at rest (a pause); the tilde (~), the circumflex (^), S, Z, N, and T represent a vibrating string (sound is played), just like all other characters, beyond their usual meanings. Here, ^, S, Z, and T imply a legato transition to the ensuing note. Lines with tablature that are not separated by an empty line start at the same point in time. This is realized via the M0 mark, which shall thus not be used. Special guitar techniques could be indicated using X (muted string), ^ (hammer-on or pull-off), S/Z (slide down/up), N (vibrato), and T (tap).