The ChordPro program

The ChordPro program provides support for the ChordPro file format. It is a reference implementation, it augments the file specification in cases that are insufficiently clear.

Overview of features

Native PDF generation

While PostScript was a good choice in 1992, nowadays PDF is much better. Not only for printing, but also for viewing on PCs, phones, tablets and so on. ChordPro produces PDF documents natively, i.e., without the help of 3rd party tools.

Collections of songs can be combined in a songbook with clickable table of contents, cover and back pages, and much more.

Unicode support

The original chord program was already revolutionary in supporting the ISO-8859.1 character set for input, allowing most european languages to be processed. ChordPro takes all input in UTF-8 encoded UNICODE but falls back to ISO-8859.1 if needed. When the input files contain a Byte Order Mark, UTF-16 and UTF-32 are also handled automatically.

Note that the default fonts that ChordPro uses only have limited support for non-Latin1 characters. If you need more extensive Unicode support, you must configure ChordPro to use TrueType or OpenType fonts that have sufficient Unicode support.

See ChordPro supports UNICODE. Then why can’t I see my russian (vietnamese, greek, …) characters?

User defined note naming systems

The most common way to write chords is by using the Dutch (common) system of note names: C, D, E and so on.

ChordPro supports alternative note naming systems by means of settings in the configuration files. Built-in support is provided for Latin names (Do, Re, Mi, …) and German names (C, D, E … A, B, H).

ChordPro can transcode between note naming systems. You can provide a song with common names and have it print Latin names and so on.

User defined chords and tunings, not limited to 6 strings

Originally developed for guitar players, chord was hard coded to support 6-string instruments. This frustrated mandolin, banjo and ukulele players. ChordPro lifts this limitation and allows an arbitrary number of strings.

Support for keyboard diagrams

For keyboard players, ChordPro can show keyboard diagrams instead of string diagrams.

Support for Nashville Numbering and Roman Numbering

Often asked for, and ChordPro got it: Nashville Numbering and Roman Numbering of chords.

Fully customizable layout, fonts and sizes

Using configuration files you can not just change fonts and sizes, but you get total control over the appearance of the output. Margins, headers, footers, columns, and more.

Support for external TrueType and OpenType fonts

While this may be considered a feature, it is in fact a necessity since most basic fonts do not have sufficient support for UNICODE.

A basic but effective GUI version

Traditionally a command line program, chord was not a trivial tool for users of Windows based systems. ChordPro adds WxChordPro, a GUI version of the program. Available on Microsoft Windows, Linux and MacOS.

What is missing?

There are just a few Chord_ii features that ChordPro does not, and will not, support:

The notion of ‘easy’ and ‘hard’ chords.
The chord directive can be used if you want diagrams for specific chords.
The asterisk mark for user defined chords. It is more confusing than helpful.
Logical pages, i.e. 2-up and 4-up printing.
PDF viewers and print tools can do that for you.