Harmonics Language Extension for VS Code

Overview

The Harmonics Language Extension provides syntax highlighting and language support for the Extended Roman Text Numeral Notation (ERNTXT) in Visual Studio Code. This domain-specific language enables composers, music theorists, and students to create harmonic grids in Roman numeral notation and melodies with precise beat and measure specifications.

Features

• Syntax Highlighting: Colorizes different elements of the ERNTXT syntax for improved readability
• Language Support: Recognizes .ern, .erntxt, .rntxt, and .har file extensions
• Musical Notation: Supports Roman numeral chord notation, melody lines, accompaniment patterns, and performance events

Language Specification

Harmonics follows a context-free grammar with an Extended Backus-Naur Form (EBNF) notation. The language consists of:

Metadata

Each composition begins with metadata that provides general information:

Composer: Claude Debussy
Piece: Prélude - "Brumes matinales"
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 72
Instrument: V1=1, V2=1, B=1, T=1, A=1, S=1

Harmony (Measure Lines)

Chord progressions are specified using Roman numeral notation:

m1 b1 C: I b2 V6 b3 vi b4 IV

• m1 indicates measure 1
• b1, b2, etc. indicate beats within the measure
• C: specifies the key (C major)
• I, V6, etc. are Roman numeral chord symbols
• Secondary dominants, borrowed chords, and inversions are supported (e.g., V7/V, bVI)
• Chord alterations can be specified with brackets (e.g., [add9], [b5], [no3])

Melody Lines

Melodies can be specified using absolute notation or interval notation:

mel1 V1 b1 E5 b2 G5 b3 C6 b4 B5

• mel1 indicates the melody for measure 1
• V1 specifies the voice (Voice 1)
• b1, b2, etc. indicate beats
• E5, G5, etc. are absolute note names with octave numbers
• Interval notation is also supported: /3 (third of the chord), /#5o1 (sharp fifth, one octave up)
• Rests are indicated with r or R

Accompaniment Patterns

Voice participation per beat can be defined:

acc1 b1 1 b2 23 b3 124 b4 23

• acc1 indicates accompaniment for measure 1
• b1, b2, etc. indicate beats
• Numbers indicate which voices are active (1=Bass, 2=Tenor, 3=Alto, 4=Soprano)

Events

Performance parameters can be modified dynamically:

e1 b1 tempo(72) b1 velocity(pp)

• e1 indicates events for measure 1
• b1 indicates the beat
• Functions include tempo(), velocity(), start_crescendo(), etc.

Variables

Reusable patterns can be defined as variables:

acc = b1 1 b2 23 b3 124 b4 23
@acc

Beat Numbering

Beat numbering follows the conventions for the given meter:

• 4/4: 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5
• 2/2: 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75
• 6/8: 1, 1.33, 1.66, 2, 2.33, 2.66
• Other time signatures follow similar patterns

Example

Composer: AI Assistant (in style of Claude Debussy)
Piece: Prélude - "Brumes matinales" (Morning in Mists)
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 72
Instrument: V1=1, V2=1, B=1, T=1, A=1, S=1

acc = b1 1 b2 23 b3 124 b4 23
@acc
Note: Section A - Ethereal opening

m1 b1 Db: I b3 bVI[add13] b4.5 V+65[add9]/V ||
mel1 V1 b1 F5 b2 Ab5 b3 Db6 b4 Bbb5
acc1 b1 1 b2 23 b3 124 b4 23

m2 b1.5 IV65[add9] b3 iii65[addb13]/V/V ||
mel2 V1 b1.5 Ab5 b2 G5 b3 F5 b4 Eb5
acc2 b1 124 b2.33 3 b3 12 b4 34

Requirements

• Visual Studio Code version 1.89.0 or higher

Extension Settings

This extension contributes the following settings:

• harmonics.enableSyntaxHighlighting: Enable/disable syntax highlighting for Harmonics files.

Known Issues

Please report any issues on the GitHub repository.

Release Notes

0.0.1

• Initial release with basic syntax highlighting for Harmonics language

For More Information

For more detailed information about the Harmonics language syntax and usage, please refer to the documentation.

Enjoy composing with Harmonics!