This document class is a wrapper above the songs
package for setting song books. It basically extends some existing commands from there and provides some "combinators" for setting things I often use, like instrumental solos, and mainly intended to be used to set songs with chords for guitar.
Furthermore, it puts everything into its own document class, which uses memoir to do some typographic improvements, and relieves you from loading all packages "by hand".
For specific information, have a look at the examples directory, or better yet, the source.
As familiar as possible, if you're already used to the songs
package:
\documentclass{guitarsongbook}
\begin{document}
\begin{songs}
\begin{song}{Knocking on heaven's door}
\begin{chorus}
\[G] Knock knock \[D]knockin' on heavens \[Am]door
\[G] Knock knock \[D]knockin' on heavens \[C]door\ldots
\end{chorus}
\end{song}
\end{songs}
\end{document}
It's just that everything should be easier ;) For more details, see the examples.
One thing to note is that I tried to make chord memorization (using ^
in subsequent verses or choruses) as seamless as possible by inserting automatic \memorize
and \replay
commands; if you recognize any errors with that, raise an issue, and I'll try to fix it.
I've also tried to keep anything as backwards compatible as possible -- so you should be able to use the document class with the "native" songs
commands as well (this compatibility should actually be quite well-tested, since I have a repository of songs in the "old" syntax as well).
This is not a package really requiring installation or so; it's not on CTAN. Just put it besides your actual document, or somewhere where TeX can find it. Obviously, it is required that you have the songs
package installed or lying around; additionally, you might want to get a binary of the songidx
program to compile index files (usually, this should be bundled with the songs
installation).
Since I use and modify the songs package with this, which is licenced under the GPL, this software is also covered under version 2.0 of the GNU General Public License. A copy of the license is provided online at the Free Software Foundation website.