OnSong not only lets your carry your music with you, but includes a full song editor as well. Write lyrics and insert chords. Make changes minutes before you go on stage. Learn about the OnSong and ChordPro file formats.

2. Writing Songs
Edit songs or add new ones from scratch

3. Adding New Songs

4. Adding New Songs
• Tap on the “+” button in the lower right corner of All Songs

5. Adding New Songs
• Tap on the “+” button in the lower right corner of All Songs
• Choose Add › New Song

6. Adding New Songs
• Tap on the “+” button in the lower right corner of All Songs
• Choose Add › New Song
• Song editor opens so you can write a song

7. Adding New Songs
• Tap on the “+” button in the lower right corner of All Songs
• Choose Add › New Song
• Song editor opens so you can write a song
• Use the OnSong file format in plain text

8. Adding New Songs
• Tap on the “+” button in the lower right corner of All Songs
• Choose Add › New Song
• Song editor opens so you can write a song
• Use the OnSong file format in plain text
• What is the OnSong file format?

9. OnSong File Format

10. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain
Todd Agnew
Key: Em
Verse 1:
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
Chorus:
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat)

11. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain 1. Song Title
Todd Agnew
Key: Em
Verse 1:
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
Chorus:
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat)

12. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain 1. Song Title
Todd Agnew 2. Artist Name
Key: Em
Verse 1:
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
Chorus:
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat)

13. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain 1. Song Title
Todd Agnew 2. Artist Name
Key: Em 3. Metadata
Verse 1:
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
Chorus:
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat)

14. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain 1. Song Title
Todd Agnew 2. Artist Name
Key: Em 3. Metadata
4. Section Marker
Verse 1:
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
Chorus:
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat)

15. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain 1. Song Title
Todd Agnew 2. Artist Name
Key: Em 3. Metadata
4. Section Marker
Verse 1: 5. Section Label
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
Chorus:
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat)

16. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain 1. Song Title
Todd Agnew 2. Artist Name
Key: Em 3. Metadata
4. Section Marker
Verse 1: 5. Section Label
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound 6. Lyrics and Chords
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
Chorus:
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat)

17. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain 1. Song Title
Todd Agnew 2. Artist Name
Key: Em 3. Metadata
4. Section Marker
Verse 1: 5. Section Label
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound 6. Lyrics and Chords
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
10. Section Marker
Chorus:
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat)

18. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain 1. Song Title
Todd Agnew 2. Artist Name
Key: Em 3. Metadata
4. Section Marker
Verse 1: 5. Section Label
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound 6. Lyrics and Chords
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
10. Section Marker
Chorus: 11. Section Label
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat)

19. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain 1. Song Title
Todd Agnew 2. Artist Name
Key: Em 3. Metadata
4. Section Marker
Verse 1: 5. Section Label
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound 6. Lyrics and Chords
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
10. Section Marker
Chorus: 11. Section Label
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain 12. Lyrics and Chords
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat)

20. OnSong File Format
Grace Like Rain 1. Song Title
Todd Agnew 2. Artist Name
Key: Em 3. Metadata
4. Section Marker
Verse 1: 5. Section Label
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound 6. Lyrics and Chords
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
10. Section Marker
Chorus: 11. Section Label
[Em]Halle[C]lujah grace like [C]rain 12. Lyrics and Chords
Falls [G]down on me
[Em]Halle[C]lujah all my [c]stains
Are washed [G]away
(Repeat) 16. Instruction

21. Parts

22. Parts
• Song Title is always the first line unless you use a metatag

23. Parts
• Song Title is always the first line unless you use a metatag
• Artist Name is always the second line unless you use metatag

24. Parts
• Song Title is always the first line unless you use a metatag
• Artist Name is always the second line unless you use metatag
• Metatags start with a name/value pairs separated by a colon

25. Parts
• Song Title is always the first line unless you use a metatag
• Artist Name is always the second line unless you use metatag
• Metatags start with a name/value pairs separated by a colon
• Section Markers are blank lines — no spaces!

26. Parts
• Song Title is always the first line unless you use a metatag
• Artist Name is always the second line unless you use metatag
• Metatags start with a name/value pairs separated by a colon
• Section Markers are blank lines — no spaces!
• Section Labels the first line of a section and end with a colon

27. Parts
• Song Title is always the first line unless you use a metatag
• Artist Name is always the second line unless you use metatag
• Metatags start with a name/value pairs separated by a colon
• Section Markers are blank lines — no spaces!
• Section Labels the first line of a section and end with a colon
• Section Content contains your lyrics and chords

28. Parts
• Song Title is always the first line unless you use a metatag
• Artist Name is always the second line unless you use metatag
• Metatags start with a name/value pairs separated by a colon
• Section Markers are blank lines — no spaces!
• Section Labels the first line of a section and end with a colon
• Section Content contains your lyrics and chords
• Instructions are on a line surrounded by parentheses

29. Metatags

30. Metatags
• Title: The title of the song

31. Metatags
• Title: The title of the song
• Artist: The artist name or any other byline information

32. Metatags
• Title: The title of the song
• Artist: The artist name or any other byline information
• Key: The key of the song — alphabetic, major or minor

33. Metatags
• Title: The title of the song
• Artist: The artist name or any other byline information
• Key: The key of the song — alphabetic, major or minor
• Capo: The capo to set as number of frets — numeric

34. Metatags
• Title: The title of the song
• Artist: The artist name or any other byline information
• Key: The key of the song — alphabetic, major or minor
• Capo: The capo to set as number of frets — numeric
• Tempo: The beats per minute (BPM) — numeric

35. Metatags
• Title: The title of the song
• Artist: The artist name or any other byline information
• Key: The key of the song — alphabetic, major or minor
• Capo: The capo to set as number of frets — numeric
• Tempo: The beats per minute (BPM) — numeric
• Time: The time signature — numeric beat over bar — 3/4

36. Metatags
• Title: The title of the song
• Artist: The artist name or any other byline information
• Key: The key of the song — alphabetic, major or minor
• Capo: The capo to set as number of frets — numeric
• Tempo: The beats per minute (BPM) — numeric
• Time: The time signature — numeric beat over bar — 3/4
• Duration: The song length for autoscroll — seconds or mm:ss

37. Metatags

38. Metatags
• Flow: The arrangement of sections — list of section labels

39. Metatags
• Flow: The arrangement of sections — list of section labels
• Book: The name of the book to place the song into

40. Metatags
• Flow: The arrangement of sections — list of section labels
• Book: The name of the book to place the song into
• Number: The number of the song — use for hymns

41. Metatags
• Flow: The arrangement of sections — list of section labels
• Book: The name of the book to place the song into
• Number: The number of the song — use for hymns
• Keywords: The list of tags to use with topic search

42. Metatags
• Flow: The arrangement of sections — list of section labels
• Book: The name of the book to place the song into
• Number: The number of the song — use for hymns
• Keywords: The list of tags to use with topic search
• Copyright: The copyright information of the song

43. Metatags
• Flow: The arrangement of sections — list of section labels
• Book: The name of the book to place the song into
• Number: The number of the song — use for hymns
• Keywords: The list of tags to use with topic search
• Copyright: The copyright information of the song
• CCLI: The CCLI number of the song

44. Metatags
• Flow: The arrangement of sections — list of section labels
• Book: The name of the book to place the song into
• Number: The number of the song — use for hymns
• Keywords: The list of tags to use with topic search
• Copyright: The copyright information of the song
• CCLI: The CCLI number of the song
• Restrictions: The rights management for the song

45. Chords and Lyrics
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D]
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly
Em C G D
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
Em C G D
That saved a wretch like me
Em C G D
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Em C G D
Was blind but now I see, so clearly

46. Chords and Lyrics
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound Bracketed
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D] Surround chords in
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found square brackets and
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly place inline with lyrics
Em C G D
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
Em C G D
That saved a wretch like me
Em C G D
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Em C G D
Was blind but now I see, so clearly

47. Chords and Lyrics
A[Em]mazing [C]Grace, how [G]sweet the [D]sound Bracketed
That [Em]saved a [C]wretch like [G]me [D] Surround chords in
I [Em]once was [C]lost, but [G]now I’m [D]found square brackets and
Was [Em]blind but [C]now I [G]see, so [D]clearly place inline with lyrics
Em C G D Chords Over Lyrics
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound Place a chord line over
Em C G D a lyrics line and use
That saved a wretch like me spaces to adjust
Em C G D
I once was lost, but now I’m found
placement
Em C G D
Was blind but now I see, so clearly

48. Bracketed Chords

49. Bracketed Chords
• Used in both the OnSong and ChordPro formats

50. Bracketed Chords
• Used in both the OnSong and ChordPro formats
• Easy to read and it keeps lines consistent

51. Bracketed Chords
• Used in both the OnSong and ChordPro formats
• Easy to read and it keeps lines consistent
• More accurate chord detection and placement

52. Bracketed Chords
• Used in both the OnSong and ChordPro formats
• Easy to read and it keeps lines consistent
• More accurate chord detection and placement
• Easy to combine two lines into one

53. Bracketed Chords
• Used in both the OnSong and ChordPro formats
• Easy to read and it keeps lines consistent
• More accurate chord detection and placement
• Easy to combine two lines into one
• Avoids the fixed/variable width font issue

54. Bracketed Chords
• Used in both the OnSong and ChordPro formats
• Easy to read and it keeps lines consistent
• More accurate chord detection and placement
• Easy to combine two lines into one
• Avoids the fixed/variable width font issue
• Hard to convert to this format from imported files

55. Chords Over Lyrics

56. Chords Over Lyrics
• Used in most chord charts you may have encountered

57. Chords Over Lyrics
• Used in most chord charts you may have encountered
• Adding spaces on iPad adds a period if the shortcut is on

58. Chords Over Lyrics
• Used in most chord charts you may have encountered
• Adding spaces on iPad adds a period if the shortcut is on
• If created in a variable-width font, you will have problems

59. Chords Over Lyrics
• Used in most chord charts you may have encountered
• Adding spaces on iPad adds a period if the shortcut is on
• If created in a variable-width font, you will have problems
• If chord lines contain non-chords, they may not be detected

60. Chords Over Lyrics
• Used in most chord charts you may have encountered
• Adding spaces on iPad adds a period if the shortcut is on
• If created in a variable-width font, you will have problems
• If chord lines contain non-chords, they may not be detected
• Harder to format and type from scratch

61. Chords Over Lyrics
• Used in most chord charts you may have encountered
• Adding spaces on iPad adds a period if the shortcut is on
• If created in a variable-width font, you will have problems
• If chord lines contain non-chords, they may not be detected
• Harder to format and type from scratch
• It comes down to personal preference

62. Flow

63. Flow
• What is flow and why would you use it?

64. Flow
• What is flow and why would you use it?
• Write the parts of the song only once

65. Flow
• What is flow and why would you use it?
• Write the parts of the song only once
• Label each section

66. Flow
• What is flow and why would you use it?
• Write the parts of the song only once
• Label each section
• Set a flow like V1 C V2 C C B C C

67. Flow
• What is flow and why would you use it?
• Write the parts of the song only once
• Label each section
• Set a flow like V1 C V2 C C B C C
• Can also use Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, Chorus...

68. Flow
• What is flow and why would you use it?
• Write the parts of the song only once
• Label each section
• Set a flow like V1 C V2 C C B C C
• Can also use Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, Chorus...
• OnSong internally associates abbreviations — Verse 1 › V1

69. Flow
• What is flow and why would you use it?
• Write the parts of the song only once
• Label each section
• Set a flow like V1 C V2 C C B C C
• Can also use Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, Chorus...
• OnSong internally associates abbreviations — Verse 1 › V1
• Flows the song top to bottom for autoscroll

70. Rights Management

71. Rights Management
• Great for songwriters to share with others

72. Rights Management
• Great for songwriters to share with others
• You can set restrictions on what your song can’t do

73. Rights Management
• Great for songwriters to share with others
• You can set restrictions on what your song can’t do
• You can lock in your restrictions so other’s can’t change it

74. Rights Management
• Great for songwriters to share with others
• You can set restrictions on what your song can’t do
• You can lock in your restrictions so other’s can’t change it
• OnSong wants to be a good citizen to the music community

75. Rights Management
• Great for songwriters to share with others
• You can set restrictions on what your song can’t do
• You can lock in your restrictions so other’s can’t change it
• OnSong wants to be a good citizen to the music community
• We want artists and songwriters to be rewarded for their work

76. Rights Management
• Great for songwriters to share with others
• You can set restrictions on what your song can’t do
• You can lock in your restrictions so other’s can’t change it
• OnSong wants to be a good citizen to the music community
• We want artists and songwriters to be rewarded for their work
• Set using a comma-delimited list like: Upload, Distribute,
Rights

77. Song Restrictions

78. Song Restrictions
• Edit • Upload
Cannot open the song editor Cannot be uploaded to a server
• Print • Project
Cannot be printed Cannot use lyrics projection
• Export • Distribute
Cannot be exported Cannot distribute the song
• Share • Rights
Cannot be shared wirelessly Cannot alter the rights
• Email • None
Cannot be emailed Removes all restrictions

79. Song Editor

80. Song Editor

81. Song Editor
• Uses a menu bar to
perform common
functions

82. Song Editor
• Uses a menu bar to
perform common
functions
• Most of the screen is
the text editor

83. Song Editor
• Uses a menu bar to
perform common
functions
• Most of the screen is
the text editor
• Conversion bar appears
for non-text formats

84. Song Editor
• Uses a menu bar to
perform common
functions
• Most of the screen is
the text editor
• Conversion bar appears
for non-text formats
• We will review the tools

85. Song Editor Tools

86. Song Editor Tools
Cancel Cancel Button
Closes the window, discarding changes

87. Song Editor Tools
Cancel Cancel Button
Closes the window, discarding changes
Set Default Song Button
Sets the song to be the template song

88. Song Editor Tools
Cancel Cancel Button
Closes the window, discarding changes
Set Default Song Button
Sets the song to be the template song
Delete Song Button
Deletes the song from your library

89. Song Editor Tools
Cancel Cancel Button
Closes the window, discarding changes
Set Default Song Button
Sets the song to be the template song
Delete Song Button
Deletes the song from your library
Toggle Chord Style Button
Bracketed or chords over lyrics mode

90. Song Editor Tools
Cancel Cancel Button Place In Book Button
Closes the window, discarding changes Closes the window, discarding changes
Set Default Song Button
Sets the song to be the template song
Delete Song Button
Deletes the song from your library
Toggle Chord Style Button
Bracketed or chords over lyrics mode

91. Song Editor Tools
Cancel Cancel Button Place In Book Button
Closes the window, discarding changes Closes the window, discarding changes
Set Default Song Button Rewrite Into Key Button
Sets the song to be the template song Sets the song to be the template song
Delete Song Button
Deletes the song from your library
Toggle Chord Style Button
Bracketed or chords over lyrics mode

92. Song Editor Tools
Cancel Cancel Button Place In Book Button
Closes the window, discarding changes Closes the window, discarding changes
Set Default Song Button Rewrite Into Key Button
Sets the song to be the template song Sets the song to be the template song
Delete Song Button Insert Chord Button
Deletes the song from your library Deletes the song from your library
Toggle Chord Style Button
Bracketed or chords over lyrics mode

93. Song Editor Tools
Cancel Cancel Button Place In Book Button
Closes the window, discarding changes Closes the window, discarding changes
Set Default Song Button Rewrite Into Key Button
Sets the song to be the template song Sets the song to be the template song
Delete Song Button Insert Chord Button
Deletes the song from your library Deletes the song from your library
Toggle Chord Style Button Done Done Button
Bracketed or chords over lyrics mode Saves changes to your song and closes

94. Demo
Using the song editor

97. Chords
Fun things to do with those letters

98. What You Can Do

99. What You Can Do
• Delineate chords with brackets or allow for detection

100. What You Can Do
• Delineate chords with brackets or allow for detection
• Tap on the chord to show the chord inspector

101. What You Can Do
• Delineate chords with brackets or allow for detection
• Tap on the chord to show the chord inspector
• Swipe to view different variations of the chord

102. What You Can Do
• Delineate chords with brackets or allow for detection
• Tap on the chord to show the chord inspector
• Swipe to view different variations of the chord
• Choose which instrument you’d like to play
guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, mandolin or banjo

103. What You Can Do
• Delineate chords with brackets or allow for detection
• Tap on the chord to show the chord inspector
• Swipe to view different variations of the chord
• Choose which instrument you’d like to play
guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, mandolin or banjo
• Playback the chord with a sound bank

104. What You Can Do
• Delineate chords with brackets or allow for detection
• Tap on the chord to show the chord inspector
• Swipe to view different variations of the chord
• Choose which instrument you’d like to play
guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, mandolin or banjo
• Playback the chord with a sound bank
• Edit chords in the tablature editor

105. Demo
Using the chord inspector

108. Define Custom Chords

109. Define Custom Chords
• Use the ChordPro {define: } syntax to create chords
{define: E5 base-fret 7 frets 0 1 3 3 x x}

110. Define Custom Chords
• Use the ChordPro {define: } syntax to create chords
{define: E5 base-fret 7 frets 0 1 3 3 x x}
• First part is the name of the chord

111. Define Custom Chords
• Use the ChordPro {define: } syntax to create chords
{define: E5 base-fret 7 frets 0 1 3 3 x x}
• First part is the name of the chord
• Second part is the base fret

112. Define Custom Chords
• Use the ChordPro {define: } syntax to create chords
{define: E5 base-fret 7 frets 0 1 3 3 x x}
• First part is the name of the chord
• Second part is the base fret
• Third part are the numbers of the frets

113. Define Custom Chords
• Use the ChordPro {define: } syntax to create chords
{define: E5 base-fret 7 frets 0 1 3 3 x x}
• First part is the name of the chord
• Second part is the base fret
• Third part are the numbers of the frets
• Fourth part are fingers (not supported)

114. Define Custom Chords
• Use the ChordPro {define: } syntax to create chords
{define: E5 base-fret 7 frets 0 1 3 3 x x}
• First part is the name of the chord
• Second part is the base fret
• Third part are the numbers of the frets
• Fourth part are fingers (not supported)
• OnSong adds to the tablature dictionary and sets the default

115. Tablature Editor

116. Tablature Editor
• Access a dictionary of tablature in the Utilities menu › Editors

117. Tablature Editor
• Access a dictionary of tablature in the Utilities menu › Editors
• Browse chords by instrument and name

118. Tablature Editor
• Access a dictionary of tablature in the Utilities menu › Editors
• Browse chords by instrument and name
• Select to view all variations

119. Tablature Editor
• Access a dictionary of tablature in the Utilities menu › Editors
• Browse chords by instrument and name
• Select to view all variations
• Change the default variation, edit, play chord or delete

120. Tablature Editor
• Access a dictionary of tablature in the Utilities menu › Editors
• Browse chords by instrument and name
• Select to view all variations
• Change the default variation, edit, play chord or delete
• Easily add new chord definitions
Use 0-9 for frets. If you need a higher frets, use A-Z

121. Questions?
Please contact us at learn@onsongapp.com