What ABC notation is
ABC is the standard format for writing scores as ordinary text: each note is a letter (C D E F G A B), with symbols for accidentals, durations and bar lines. A whole tune fits in a few lines you can copy, paste and edit anywhere.
How to convert your PDF to ABC
- Upload the PDF or photo of the printed score.
- TuttiKit reads the score (usually 1–2 minutes per page).
- Check the result, open “View the score as text (ABC notation)” and press “Copy text” or “Download as text (ABC)”.
What it's for
- Paste it into an AI assistant (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini…) to analyse it, harmonise it or explain its form: assistants understand ABC text far better than a PDF.
- Fix it by hand without notation software.
- Open it in ABC editors such as EasyABC or abcjs, or keep it in your notes.
Keep in mind
Automatic recognition is usually right with clean printed scores, but it can miss things with poor scans, skewed photos or handwriting. Always compare it with the original. If your score has several voices or instruments, each one becomes a voice (V:) in the ABC file.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
Yes, with a limit of pages per score and scores per day. No sign-up needed.
What's the difference between ABC and MusicXML?
MusicXML is the format to open the score in MuseScore, Sibelius or Finale. ABC is short, readable plain text, ideal for copying, editing by hand or pasting into an AI. TuttiKit gives you both.
Are lyrics and chords included?
Yes, if they're recognized in the score: lyrics go on w: lines and chord symbols in quotes above the notes.