Metadata Reference

Gen documents can include YAML metadata at the top, enclosed in --- markers.

Basic Structure

---
title: My Song
composer: Artist Name
time-signature: 4/4
key-signature: G
tempo: 120
---

G A B ^C

All Metadata Fields

Field	Type	Default	Description
`title`	String	(none)	Song title
`composer`	String	(none)	Composer/artist name
`time-signature`	String	`4/4`	Time signature
`key-signature`	String	`C`	Key signature
`tempo`	String	`120`	Tempo in BPM with optional rhythm
`swing`	String	(none)	Swing feel (`/` or `//`)
`written-notation`	String	`concert`	Notation mode for multi-part

title

The song title, displayed in the score header:

title: Ode to Joy

composer

The composer or artist name:

composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

time-signature

The time signature as a fraction:

time-signature: 4/4
time-signature: 3/4
time-signature: 6/8
time-signature: 2/2
time-signature: 5/4
time-signature: 7/8

Default: 4/4

key-signature

The key signature. Accepts key names or sharp/flat counts.

Major Keys

key-signature: C      # No sharps/flats
key-signature: G      # 1 sharp
key-signature: D      # 2 sharps
key-signature: A      # 3 sharps
key-signature: E      # 4 sharps
key-signature: B      # 5 sharps
key-signature: F#     # 6 sharps
key-signature: C#     # 7 sharps
key-signature: F      # 1 flat
key-signature: Bb     # 2 flats
key-signature: Eb     # 3 flats
key-signature: Ab     # 4 flats
key-signature: Db     # 5 flats
key-signature: Gb     # 6 flats
key-signature: Cb     # 7 flats

Minor Keys

Add m suffix:

key-signature: Am     # A minor (no sharps/flats)
key-signature: Em     # E minor (1 sharp)
key-signature: Bm     # B minor (2 sharps)
key-signature: F#m    # F# minor (3 sharps)
key-signature: Dm     # D minor (1 flat)
key-signature: Gm     # G minor (2 flats)
key-signature: Cm     # C minor (3 flats)

By Sharp/Flat Count

key-signature: "#"     # 1 sharp
key-signature: "##"    # 2 sharps
key-signature: "###"   # 3 sharps
key-signature: bb      # 2 flats
key-signature: bbb     # 3 flats

Note: Use quotes for values starting with # (YAML comment character).

Default: C

tempo

Tempo in BPM, optionally specifying which note duration gets the beat.

Basic Tempo

tempo: 120           # Quarter note = 120 BPM

With Rhythm Modifier

The rhythm modifier goes after the BPM:

tempo: 120           # Quarter note = 120 (default)
tempo: 160p          # Half note = 160 BPM (quarter = 320)
tempo: 180/          # Eighth note = 180 BPM (quarter = 90)
tempo: 60o           # Whole note = 60 BPM (quarter = 240)

Dotted Note Tempos

Use quotes for dotted tempos (contains special character):

tempo: "120*"        # Dotted quarter = 120 BPM
tempo: "80p*"        # Dotted half = 80 BPM

Rhythm Modifier Reference

Modifier	Note Value
(none)	Quarter
`p`	Half
`o`	Whole
`/`	Eighth
`*`	Dotted (add to others)

Default: 120 (quarter note at 120 BPM)

swing

Adds swing feel to the playback and notation.

swing: /             # Swing eighth notes (jazz)
swing: //            # Swing sixteenth notes (funk)

Swing Eighth Notes

Standard jazz swing where pairs of eighth notes are played with a triplet feel:

swing: /

Swing Sixteenth Notes

Funk/fusion style where sixteenth notes swing:

swing: //

Default: (none, straight feel)

written-notation

Controls how notes are interpreted for transposing instruments in multi-part scores.

Concert Mode

written-notation: concert

Notes are in concert pitch. When you write C for a Bb trumpet, it sounds as C and will be written as D on the trumpet part.

This is the default and recommended for most use cases.

Transposed Mode

written-notation: transposed

Notes are as written on the part. When you write C for a Bb trumpet, that IS the C on the trumpet part (which sounds as Bb).

Use this when transcribing from conductor’s scores where parts are already transposed.

Default: concert

Complete Example

---
title: Jazz Ballad
composer: Example Artist
time-signature: 4/4
key-signature: Bb
tempo: "72*"
swing: /
---

{Bbmaj7}:Bbp {Cm7}:Cp
{Dm7}:Dp {G7}:Gp

Multi-Part Example

---
title: Brass Ensemble
composer: Example
time-signature: 4/4
key-signature: F
tempo: 100
written-notation: concert
---

@part:trumpet ^Fp ^Ap
@part:french-horn Cp Ep
@part:trombone Fp Ap

YAML Tips

Quotes: Use quotes for values with special characters:

key-signature: "F#"    # Sharp is a YAML comment char
tempo: "120*"          # Asterisk needs quoting

No quotes needed for simple values:

title: My Song
tempo: 120
key-signature: G

Colons in values need quotes:
```
title: "Song: Part 1"
```