Beat Properties

The properties defined on beat level result in a variety of effects and annotations shown in the music sheet. Historically these properties are heavily abbreviated to reduce the text that needs to be written to apply them.

In future alphaTab will likely change to a more verbose, but clearer alternative.

`f`

 Syntax
f

Description: Adds a fade-in effect to the beat. Applies to all notes.

Values: None

Example

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).2 { f }

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).2 { f }

`fo`

 Syntax
fo

Description: Adds a fade-out effect to the beat. Applies to all notes.

Values: None

Example

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { fo }

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { fo }

`vs`

 Syntax
fo

Description: Adds a volume-swell effect to the beat. Applies to all notes.

Values: None

Example

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { vs }

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { vs }

`v`

 Syntax
v

Description: Adds a slight vibrato effect to the beat. Applies to all notes.

Values: None

Example

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { v }

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { v }

`vw`

 Syntax
vw

Description: Adds a wide vibrato effect to the beat. Applies to all notes.

Values: None

Example

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { vw }

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { vw }

`s`

 Syntax
s

Description: Adds a bass slap annotation to the beat.

Values: None

Example

instrument "Electric Bass Finger" s (3 4) 3.4.8 {s} (5.1 5.2).4 {p} 3.4.8 {s} (5.1 5.2).4 {p}

instrument "Electric Bass Finger"
	s (3 4) 3.4.8 {s} (5.1 5.2).4 {p}  3.4.8 {s} (5.1 5.2).4 {p}

`p`

 Syntax
p

Description: Adds a bass pop annotation to the beat.

Values: None

Example

instrument "Electric Bass Finger" s (3 4) 3.4.8 {s} (5.1 5.2).4 {p} 3.4.8 {s} (5.1 5.2).4 {p}

instrument "Electric Bass Finger"
	s (3 4) 3.4.8 {s} (5.1 5.2).4 {p}  3.4.8 {s} (5.1 5.2).4 {p}

`tt`

 Syntax
tt

Description: Adds a guitar or bass tapping annotation to the beat.

Values: None

Example

instrument "Electric Bass Finger" :8 {tu 3} 18.1 {tt h} 10.1 {h} 14.1 18.1 {tt h} 10.1 {h} 14.1 18.1 {tt h} 10.1 {h} 14.1 18.1 {tt h} 10.1 {h} 14.1

instrument "Electric Bass Finger"
:8 {tu 3} 
18.1 {tt h} 10.1 {h} 14.1
18.1 {tt h} 10.1 {h} 14.1
18.1 {tt h} 10.1 {h} 14.1
18.1 {tt h} 10.1 {h} 14.1

`d`

 Syntax
d

Description: Marks the beat a single dot.

Values: None

Example

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { dd }

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { dd }

`dd`

 Syntax
dd

Description: Marks the beat with two dots.

Values: None

Example

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { dd }

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).1 { dd }

`su`

 Syntax
su

Description: Adds an upwards pick-stroke annotation to the beat.

Values: None

Example

0.1 { su }

0.1 { su }

`sd`

 Syntax
sd

Description: Adds an downwards pick-stroke annotation to the beat.

Values: None

Example

0.1 { sd }

0.1 { sd }

`cre`

 Syntax
cre

Description: Adds a crescendo effect to the beat.

Values: None

Example

3.3 { cre } -.3 { cre }

3.3 { cre } -.3 { cre }

`dec`

 Syntax
dec

Description: Adds a decrescendo (diminuendo) effect to the beat.

Values: None

Example

3.3 { dec } -.3 { dec }

3.3 { dec } -.3 { dec }

`spd`, `sph`, `spu` and `spe`

 Syntax
spd
sph
spu
spe

Description: Adds sustain pedal annotations to the beat.

The different properties mark whether to press the pedal down, hold or release it.

spd Sustain pedal down (press)
sph Sustain pedal hold (continue press)
spu Sustain pedal up (release)
spe Sustain pedal up at end of the beat

Values: None

Example

C4 {spd} C4 {sph} C4 {sph} C4 {spu} | C4 {spd} C4 {sph} C4 {sph} C4 {spe}

C4 {spd} C4 {sph} C4 {sph} C4 {spu} |
C4 {spd} C4 {sph} C4 {sph} C4 {spe}

`slashed`

 Syntax
slashed

Description: Marks the beat to be displayed with slash notation.

Values: None

Example

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).2 (0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).2 { slashed }

(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).2  (0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5).2 { slashed }

`ds`

 Syntax
ds

Description: Marks the beat to be a dead-slap beat.

As no notes should be on such a beat, simply use () to indicate the empty beat which is not a rest.

Values: None

Example

().4 {ds} ().4 {ds}

().4 {ds} ().4 {ds}

`glpf`, `glpt`

 Syntax
glpf
glpt

Description: Adds a golpe effect to the beat.

glpf for a Golpe tapped with the finger
glpt for a Golpe tapped with the thumb

Values: None

Example

3.3{glpf} 3.3{glpt}

3.3{glpf} 3.3{glpt}

`waho`, `wahc`

 Syntax
waho
wahc

Description: Adds a Wah-pedal effect to the beat.

waho for a the pedal to be opened
wahc for a the pedal to be closed

Values: None

Example

3.3 3.3{waho} 3.3 3.3 {wahc}

3.3 3.3{waho} 3.3 3.3 {wahc}

`legatoOrigin`

 Syntax
legatoOrigin

Description: Adds a legato from this beat to the next one.

Values: None

Example

3.3.4{ legatoOrigin } 10.3.4

3.3.4{ legatoOrigin } 10.3.4

`timer`

 Syntax
timer

Description: Adds a timestamp marker to the beat.

Timers are showing the exact timestamp when a beat is played the first time (respecting aspects like repeats).

Values: None

Example

\tempo 120 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 | \ro 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 | 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 | \jump fine 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 | \ae (1) 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 | \ae (2 3) \rc 3 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 | 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 | \jump DaCapoAlFine 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 | 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3

\tempo 120
3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 |
\ro 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 |
3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 |
\jump fine 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 |
\ae (1) 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 |
\ae (2 3) \rc 3 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 |
3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 |
\jump DaCapoAlFine 3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3 |
3.3.4 { timer } 3.3.4*3

`tu`

 Syntax
tu simple
tu (numerator denominator)

Description: Adds a tuplet to the beat duration.

There are some built-in simple tuplet variants (see below) or you can specify the exact division.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
simple	The simple tuplet	`number`	yes
numerator	The tuplet numerator	`number`	yes
denominator	The tuplet denominator	`number`	yes

The simple tuplets expand like this:

3 => 3:2
5 => 5:4
6 => 6:4
7 => 6:4
9 => 9:8
10 => 10:8
12 => 12:8

Example

C4 {tu 3} * 3 | C4 {tu 5} * 5 | C4 {tu 5 2} * 5

C4 {tu 3} * 3 |
C4 {tu 5} * 5 |
C4 {tu 5 2} * 5

`txt`

 Syntax
txt text

Description: Adds a text annotation to the beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
text	The text to show above the beat	`string`	yes

Example

C4 {txt "This is a C4 Note"}

C4 {txt "This is a C4 Note"}

`lyrics`

 Syntax
lyrics text
lyrics line text

Description: Adds a lyric text to the beat.

This is an alternative way of applying the exact lyrics to beats instead of using the \lyrics metadata where a special syntax is used to spread the text across beats.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
text	The lyrics to show	`string`	yes
line	The line number (e.g. for multiple verses)	`number`	no

Example

C4 {lyrics "Do"} D4 {lyrics "Re"} E4 {lyrics "Mi"} F4 {lyrics "Fa"} | G4 {lyrics 0 "So" lyrics 1 "G"} A4 {lyrics 0 "La" lyrics 1 "A"} B4 {lyrics 0 "Ti" lyrics 1 "B"} r

C4 {lyrics "Do"} 
D4 {lyrics "Re"} 
E4 {lyrics "Mi"} 
F4 {lyrics "Fa"} |
G4 {lyrics 0 "So" lyrics 1 "G"}
A4 {lyrics 0 "La" lyrics 1 "A"}
B4 {lyrics 0 "Ti" lyrics 1 "B"}
r

`tb` and `tbe`

 Syntax
tb (type style value1 value2 value3...)
tbe (type style offset1 value1 offset2 value2 offset3 value3...)

Description: Adds a whammy bar (aka. tremolo bar) effect to the beat.

The tb variant automatically spreads the values across the duration of the beat.
The tbe (exact) variant allows specifying exactly at which offset a value is placed.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
type	The type of whammy (affects the display).	`custom`, `dive`, `dip`, `hold`, `predive`, `predivedive`	no
style	The style of the whammy play style.	`default`, `gradual`, `fast``	no
offset	The offset at which the value becomes valid	`number` (0-60)	yes (if `tbe`)
value	The value of the whammy in quarter-tones relative to the original note, decimals supported	`number`	yes

It is recommended to rely on the auto-detection of the type and only specify the type explicitly if something is wrong:

custom - use this for non standard custom whammys with multiple points
dive - use this when having a gradual change between two points
dip - use this when you have a A->B->A whammy pattern.
hold - use this when holding whammys (on tied notes)
predive - use this when whammy bar is pressed/pulled before playing the note and then kept.
predivedive - use this when whammy bar is pressed/pulled before playing the note and then released again.

The style can be one of these values:

default - No additional text is shown, the bend offsets and values are respected as specified.
gradual - Will show an additional "grad." on the whammy line. The audio is generated according to the type spread evenly across the play duration.
fast - No additional text is shown. The audio is generated according to the type spread evenly across the fixed duration set via settings.player.songBookBendDuration.

Example

3.3.1{tb (0 4 0 8)} | r | 3.3.1{tb (0 -4 0 -8)} | r | 3.3.1{tbe (0 0 5 4 30 8 60 0)}

3.1{tb (0 4 0 8)} | r |
3.1{tb (0 -4 0 -8)} | r |
3.1{tbe (0 0 5 4 30 8 60 0)}

`bu`, `bd`

 Syntax
bu duration
bd duration

Description: Adds a brush stroke effect to the beat.

bu for an upwards brush
bd for a downwards brush

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
duration	A custom duration of the stroke speed in MIDI ticks	`number`	no

By default, the duration between notes is calculated based on the number of notes in the beat.

Example

:2 (0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){bd} (0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){bu} | (0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){bd 360} (0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){bu 60}

:2 (0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){bd} (0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){bu} |
(0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){bd 360} (0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){bu 60}

`au`, `ad`

 Syntax
au duration
ad duration

Description: Adds an arpeggio effect to the beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
duration	A custom duration of the stroke speed in MIDI ticks	`number`	no

By default, the duration between notes is calculated based on the number of notes in the beat.

Example

(0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){ad} (0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){au} |

(0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){ad} (0.1 0.2 0.3 2.4 2.5 0.6){au} |

`ch`

 Syntax
ch chordName

Description: Adds a chord annotation to the beat.

If the staff has a definition for this chord it will be shown in the chord diagram list to indicate its usage. The beat still has to define the notes separately.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
chordName	The name of the chord	`string`	yes

Example

\chord ("C" 0 1 0 2 3 x) \ts 2 4 (0.1 1.2 0.3 2.4 3.5){ch "C"} (0.1 1.2 0.3 2.4 3.5) | (0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5){ch "A"}

\chord ("C" 0 1 0 2 3 x)
\ts 2 4
(0.1 1.2 0.3 2.4 3.5){ch "C"} (0.1 1.2 0.3 2.4 3.5) |
(0.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 0.5){ch "A"}

`gr`

 Syntax
gr type

Description: Marks the beat as a grace beat holding grace notes.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
type	The type of grace notes	`ob`, `bb`, `b`	no (default: `bb`)

ob is an On-Beat grace note where this beat will start at the play time of the next beat and steal its play time from the next beat.
bb is a Before-Beat grace note where this beat will start before the next beat and steal its play time from the previous beat.
b is a bend grace note, a mechanism used in alphaTab for the "songbook style" bends notes. You will likely not apply this type manually.

Example

C5 D5 {gr} C5 C5 D5 {gr} C5 | C5 D5 {gr ob} C5 C5 D5 {gr ob} C5

C5
D5 {gr} C5
C5
D5 {gr} C5
|
C5
D5 {gr ob} C5
C5
D5 {gr ob} C5

`dy`

 Syntax
dy dynamic

Description: Defines the play dynamics for this beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
dynamic	The dynamic value to apply	`identifier`	yes

Following dynamic values are supported:

PPP
PP
P
MP
MF
F
FF
FFF
PPPP
PPPPP
PPPPPP
FFFF
FFFFF
FFFFFF
SF
SFP
SFPP
FP
RF
RFZ
SFZ
SFFZ
FZ
N
PF
SFZP

Example

1.1.8{dy ppp} 1.1{dy pp} 1.1{dy p} 1.1{dy mp} 1.1{dy mf} 1.1{dy f} 1.1{dy ff} 1.1{dy fff}

1.1.8{dy ppp} 1.1{dy pp} 1.1{dy p} 1.1{dy mp} 1.1{dy mf} 1.1{dy f} 1.1{dy ff} 1.1{dy fff}

`tempo`

 Syntax
tempo bpm
tempo (bpm label hide)

Description: Add a tempo change to the beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
bpm	The new tempo in BPM	`number`	yes
label	A textual label for the tempo	`string`	no
hide	If specified, the tempo change is not shown in the music sheet	`hide`	no

Example

C4 {tempo 120} D4 E4 {tempo 140} F4 | C4.8 {tempo 80} C4 D4 {tempo 100} D4 E4 {tempo 120} E4 F4 {tempo 240} F4

C4 {tempo 120} D4 E4 {tempo 140} F4 | C4.8 {tempo 80} C4 D4 {tempo 100} D4 E4 {tempo 120} E4 F4 {tempo 240} F4

`volume`

 Syntax
volume value

Description: Add a volume change to the beat.

The change affects all beats after this one.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
value	The new volume	`number` (0-16)	yes

Example

C4 {volume 8} D4 E4 {tempo 16} F4

C4 {volume 8} D4 E4 {tempo 16} F4

`balance`

 Syntax
balance value

Description: Add a balance (pan) change to the beat.

The change affects all beats after this one.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
value	The new balance	`number` (0-16, 8 is centered)	yes

Example

C4 {balance 0} D4 E4 {balance 16} F4

C4 {balance 0} D4 E4 {balance 16} F4

`tp`

 Syntax
tp speed

Description: Add a tremolo picking to the beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
speed	The tremolo picking speed	`number` (8, 16 or 32)	yes

Example

3.3{tp 8} 3.3{tp 16} 3.3{tp 32}

3.3{tp 8} 3.3{tp 16} 3.3{tp 32}

`barre`

 Syntax
barre fret
barre (fret mode)

Description: Add a barré chord notation to the beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
fret	The numeric fret for the barre chord	`number`	yes
mode	The barre mode	`full` or `half`	no

Example

1.1 {barre 24} 2.1 {barre 24} 3.1 {barre 24} 4.1 | 1.1 {barre 4 half} 2.1 {barre 4 half} 3.1 {barre 4 half} 4.1 {barre 4 half} |

1.1 {barre 24} 2.1 {barre 24} 3.1 {barre 24} 4.1 |
1.1 {barre 4 half} 2.1 {barre 4 half} 3.1 {barre 4 half} 4.1 {barre 4 half} |

`rasg`

 Syntax
rasg pattern

Description: Add a rasgueado play pattern to the beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
pattern	The pattern to apply	`identifier`	yes

The pattern is one of the following values dervived from the patterns Guitar Pro supports:

iiIi

miMi

mii (triplet)MiiTriplet

mii (anapaest)MiiAnapaest

pmp (triplet)PmpTriplet

pmp (anapaest)PmpAnapaest

pei (triplet)PeiTriplet

pei (anapaest)PeiAnapaest

pai (triplet)PaiTriplet

pai (anapaest)PaiAnapaest

ami (triplet)AmiTriplet

ami (anapaest)AmiAnapaest

pppPpp

amiiAmii

amipAmip

eamiEami

eamiiEamii

peamiPeami

Example

(1.1 3.2 2.3 0.4) * 4 {rasg amii}

(1.1 3.2 2.3 0.4) * 4 {rasg amii}

`ot`

 Syntax
ot value

Description: Adds a octave change (ottava) to the beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
value	The octave shift to apply	`15ma`, `8va`, `regular`, `8vb` or `15mb`	yes

Example

3.3.4{ ot 15ma } 3.3.4{ ot 8vb }

3.3.4{ ot 15ma } 3.3.4{ ot 8vb }

`instrument`

 Syntax
instrument value

Description: Adds a instrument change to the beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
value	The new MIDI instrument	`number` or `string`	yes

`bank`

 Syntax
bank value

Description: Adds a instrument bank change to the beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
value	The new MIDI bank	`number`	yes

`fermata`

 Syntax
fermata type
fermata (type length)

Description: Adds a fermata to the beat.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
type	The fermata type	`short`, `medium` or `long`	yes
length	The fermata length	`number`	no

Example

G4 G4 G4 { fermata medium 4 }

G4 G4 G4 { fermata medium 4 }

`beam`

 Syntax
beam mode

Description: Changes the beaming and stem direction for the beat.

Can be specified multiple times.

Values:

Name	Description	Type	Required
mode	The mode to apply	`identifier`	yes

Stem direction adjustments:

invert - Inverts the default stem direction.
up - Forces the stem to point upwards.
down - Forces the stem to point downwards.
auto - Sets the beaming mode to automatic.

Beaming modes:

split - Forces a split of the beam to the next beat (if there would be any)
merge - Forces a merge of the beam to the next beat (even if there would be none)
splitsecondary - Forces a split of the last bar connecting two beats (if there is any).

Example

:8 3.3{ beam invert } 3.3 | 3.1{ beam up } 3.1 | 3.6{ beam down } 3.6 | 3.3{ beam auto } 3.3 | 3.3{ beam split } 3.3 | 3.3 3.3 { beam merge } 3.3 3.3 | 3.3.16 {beam splitsecondary} 3.3

:8 3.3{ beam invert } 3.3 |
1{ beam up } 3.1 |
6{ beam down } 3.6 |
3{ beam auto } 3.3 |
3{ beam split } 3.3 |
3 3.3 { beam merge } 3.3 3.3 |
3.16 {beam splitsecondary} 3.3

f
fo
vs
v
vw
s
p
tt
d
dd
su
sd
cre
dec
spd, sph, spu and spe
slashed
ds
glpf, glpt
waho, wahc
legatoOrigin
timer
tu
txt
lyrics
tb and tbe
bu, bd
au, ad
ch
gr
dy
tempo
volume
balance
tp
barre
rasg
ot
instrument
bank
fermata
beam

f​

fo​

vs​

v​

vw​

s​

p​

tt​

d​

dd​

su​

sd​

cre​

dec​

spd, sph, spu and spe​

slashed​

ds​

glpf, glpt​

waho, wahc​

legatoOrigin​

timer​

tu​

txt​

lyrics​

tb and tbe​

bu, bd​

au, ad​

ch​

gr​

dy​

tempo​

volume​

balance​

tp​

barre​

rasg​

ot​

instrument​

bank​

fermata​

beam​

`f`

`fo`

`vs`

`v`

`vw`

`s`

`p`

`tt`

`d`

`dd`

`su`

`sd`

`cre`

`dec`

`spd`, `sph`, `spu` and `spe`

`slashed`

`ds`

`glpf`, `glpt`

`waho`, `wahc`

`legatoOrigin`

`timer`

`tu`

`txt`

`lyrics`

`tb` and `tbe`

`bu`, `bd`

`au`, `ad`

`ch`

`gr`

`dy`

`tempo`

`volume`

`balance`

`tp`

`barre`

`rasg`

`ot`

`instrument`

`bank`

`fermata`

`beam`