[CM] Re: some questions re: the latest CM

David Psenicka dpsenick@uiuc.edu
Sat, 25 Jun 2005 17:12:38 -0500


Fomus (FOrmat MUSic) is a Lisp program that inputs notational data in
the form of Lisp lists and structures and outputs a file suitable for
importing into a notation program like Finale, Sibelius, CMN, Lilypond,
etc..  The idea is that reasonably intelligent decisions are made
regarding note spellings, note splitting and tying, distribution of
notes into multiple voices and staves, clef changes, ottava signs,
etc..  This way a computer music composer would spend much less time
working on music formatting issues and could see instant, reasonably
notated results.  He would also have algorithmic control over notational
elements such as articultations, slurs, tremelos, text markings...  The
program is being written in a modular fashion so eventually users will
have some choice over how they want various aspects of their notation
formatted (and will be able to contribute their own algorithms).  At the
very least it will offer a vast improvement over what the import
functions in most notation programs have to offer!

The program is still in development but is coming close to an initial
(alpha) release--A CVS for it should appear on commonlist.net shortly. 
At the moment it outputs Lilypond files, but in the near future there
will also be support for MusicXML, CMN, and .ETF (Finale .ETF support
might end up being rather limited), and possibly others.

-David Psenicka

Rick Taube wrote:

>> Greetings:
>>  In the latest doc/cm.html I noticed a reference to a Fomus music
>> notation display system but the URL appears to be mangled
>> (http://zzz/). Can anyone tell me more about this software ?
>
>
> yes i realize its a bit mysterious, ive cc'd its author (David
> Psenicka) in the hopes that he will explain what it is/does.
> The CM bridge to it is ready to go i think as soon as his software is
> released.
>