Node: Chords mode, Next: , Up: Chord names



Chords mode

Chord mode is a mode where you can input sets of pitches using common names. It is introduced by the keyword \chords. In chords mode, a chord is entered by the root, which is entered like a common pitch:

     \chords { es4.  d8 c2 }
     

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Other chords may be entered by suffixing a colon, and introducing a modifier, and optionally, a number:

     \chords { e1:m e1:7 e1:m7  }
     

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The first number following the root is taken to be the `type' of the chord, thirds are added to the root until it reaches the specified number:
      \chords { c:3 c:5 c:6 c:7 c:8 c:9 c:10 c:11 }
     

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More complex chords may also be constructed adding separate steps to a chord. Additions are added after the number following the colon, and are separated by dots:

       \chords { c:5.6 c:3.7.8 c:3.6.13 }
     

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Chord steps can be altered by suffixing a - or + sign to the number:
       \chords { c:7+ c:5+.3-  c:3-.5-.7- }
     

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Removals are specified similarly, and are introduced by a caret. They must come after the additions:
       \chords { c^3 c:7^5 c:9^3.5 }
     

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Modifiers can be used to change pitches. The following modifiers are supported:

m
is the minor chord. This modifier lowers the 3rd and (if present) the 7th step.
dim
is the diminished chord. This modifier lowers the 3rd, 5th and (if present) the 7th step.
aug
is the augmented chord. This modifier raises the 5th step.
maj
is the major 7th chord. This modifier raises the 7th step if present.
sus
is the suspended 4th or 2nd. This modifier removes the 3rd step. Append either 2 or 4 to add the 2nd or 4th step to the chord.
Modifiers can be mixed with additions:
       \chords { c:sus4 c:7sus4 c:dim7 c:m6 }
     

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Since an unaltered 11 does not sound good when combined with an unaltered 13, the 11 is removed in this case (unless it is added explicitly):

       \chords { c:13 c:13.11 c:m13 }
     

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An inversion (putting one pitch of the chord on the bottom), as well as bass notes, can be specified by appending /pitch to the chord:

        \chords { c1 c/g c/f }
     

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A bass note can be added instead of transposed out of the chord, by using /+pitch.

        \chords { c1 c/+g c/+f }
     

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Chords is a mode similar to \lyrics, \notes etc. Most of the commands continue to work, for example, r and \skip can be used to insert rests and spaces, and \property may be used to change various settings.

Bugs

Each step can only be present in a chord once. The following simply produces the augmented chord, since 5+ is interpreted last:

       \chords { c:5.5-.5+ }
     

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This page is for LilyPond-2.0.1 (stable-branch).

Report errors to <bug-lilypond@gnu.org>.