Humdrum File Format

Humdrum files are designed to work with the Humdrum Toolkit developed by David Huron of Ohio State University. The Humdrum Toolkit runs on UNIX-based computers as well as with UNIX simulation software via the MKS Toolkit on IBM-PC compatible computers running MS-DOS. The Humdrum Toolkit and its documentation are available from CCARH in paper form or online.

Humdrum files can contain any type of sequential representation, but the primary representation used for musical data is called **kern.

Humdrum files and the **kern representation are ASCII-based formats which are viewable in any text editor. Each movement of a composition is contained in one file. Parts in a Humdrum file are separated from other parts in the file by using the tab character.