chordcalc - a stringed instrument chord calculator

[wradcliffe]

@polymerchm - Is everything OK? Did you lose it all again?

[polymerchm]

Chordcalc Version 2 is now up on Github. The capo enabled version is in the devel-capo branch. It is still a little buggy, and this thing does so many variants, that I can't test all the potential bad states without a little help. In addition, I've added 5-string banjo (with capo options) that handles the short 5th string and its reentrant tuning. I only included standard open G banjo tuning.

Had to delete the old branch and copy/paste all the new stuff. Included is a spinner class used to set the span (how many frets you can stretch to reach all the fretted strings).

Comments please. Some rest, then re-build the GUI to allow for iPhones (just got a 6). That one I might not release to github if I take the plunge and become a developer. We'll see. Got to check out the way xcode handles this beast.

[wradcliffe]

Thanks for adding the capo feature. I did a simple test with my special tuning and the partial capo and was able to find the two fingered chords I have been playing. So it seems to work! I would like to post a screenshot but can't figure out how to do it in this interface.

[polymerchm]

you need to have it on some website and post a link. I have a website in the works, so I'll try. Don't think I can put on github and provide a link..Maybe on fo the gurus know.

[polymerchm]

@JonB Seems gitview is gone from github.

[dgelessus]

@polymerchm, it still exists in a "Test" branch: https://github.com/jsbain/gitview/tree/Test

[wradcliffe]

Been playing with the new version a bit and have a few comments:

1. I was adding some tunings (4ths) and scales (Chromatic) and editing the chordcalc_constants.py. I wanted to add a reload on the module to get my edits but could not because you import everything as globals. I wonder if this file should be some kind of config file - ini - json, etc. This opens up the topic of persistence of "settings".

2. Would be nice to have a Save/Restore for the current settings.

3. I notice that the Inspect mode prevents picking notes behind the capo or partial capo and this should be happening in Chord mode as well.

4. The visual feedback provided when selecting between S,I,C could use some enhancement. Maybe highlight the mode or add an animation? Lots of other stuff changes when you hit each of these, but it still a bit unclear at times that these modes are selected.

I REALLY like this new version!

[polymerchm]

Final Version up on github (barring bugs)

the devel-json branch.

chordcalc Version 4.0

Turning Gek S. Low's chordcalc python script into a full-featured chord calculator/player
Updated to be a full featured stringed instrument chord analysis tool by Steven K Pollack

• makeWaves.py

generates a set of 96 2 second wave files used by chordcalc.py to play the sound of the notes.

• chordcalc.py

• chordcalc_constants.py

• debugStream.py

• Spinner.py

• Shield.py

The new features in 4.0 are:

• constants can now be reloaded. No longer "globals"

• Chord, Capo, Filter and Instrument Tableviews can be edited to re-order or delete rows

• The current configuration of the tables can be saved or the "factory standard" restored

• The current settings for chord, capo and filters can be saved under/loaded from a named setting. The settings list can be edited.

• Sweep gestures and long-touch on the fingerboard are enabled

Editing the Tables

The labels of the editable tables are actually buttons that enable/disable deleting rows or re-ordering each editable table. If you wish to save this new "configuration", you hit the "Config" button. It will give you the option of saving the current setup, or restoring the "factory setting" (from the file chordcalc_constants.py). The configuration is stored as a json object in the file "config.ini"

Saving the Settings

The Save and Load buttons allow the user to save the current instrument, filters and capos as a named entry in the "Settings" list. If an existing default setting is changed, the user is prompted to confirm the overwrite. There also the option to edit the list (delete rows/reorder). The data for this list is stored in a file called "settings.ini"

Instrument Editor

Hitting the New button on the main menu brings up an instrument editor. It will take the current selected instrument/tuning and allow you to adjust the tuning. You can then save this to the Intrument/tuning list. You will be forced to use a new name. If you want to delete it later, you can edit the intrument/tuning list to remove it. To have this intrument saved fo rhte next time you run chord calc, hit the "config" button to save it.

Capos:

The list (lower right hand corner) allows the user to select one or more capos. When you select a capo, you are prompted for a fret to place it. All subsequent operations acccount for the presence of the capos. The full capo will adjust to the number of strings (except 5-string banjo, see below) A partial capo will only fret a subset of strings. As supplied these assume a 6-stringed instrument. The standard partial capos predefined are the "drop E" capo that only covers 5 consecutive guitar strings (when placed on the second fret, accomplishes a drop D tuning, up a tone without retuning) and the "sus2" capo (covers the "ADG" strings or the "DGB" strings of a guitar). Five string banjo capos are one for the "normal" four strings and a one strng capo for the 5th string. Multiple capos are allowed.

There are three modes of operation: Calc, Identify and Scale. These are selected by the C, I and S buttons. The active mode is highlighted

Calc Mode:

Select an instrument/tuning (upper right-hand corner), a root (key) (left-most side) and a chord type, (second column on left), and all possible fingerings will be displayed on the fretboard. You cycle through them with the up and down arrows.

New Feature. If you sweep up or down the fretboard, it will "fast forward" the chords in proportion to the distance you sweep. If you sweep across, it will jump in smaller increments. If you do a long-touch (> 1/2 second), the present chords will jump to the closest chord to that fret.

By choosing various filters (center right-hand list), you can reduce the number and type of chords displayed. For example, 'LOW_3' is a mandolin filter that only presents chords played on the lower 3 strings and leaves the high E string unplayed. The 'DOUBLE_STOP' filter (also for mandolin) will show all valid double stops for a given chord (2 note chord partials). 'NO_DEAD' will only show chords where every string is sounded.

If a given instrument/tuning cannot represent the chord, an appropriate offensive noise is sounded and message is displayed. The filters NO_ROOT, NO_3RD and NO_5TH will find chord shapes for
mandolin (you notice the mandolin emphasis here) that allows those chord tones not to be
ignored in testing for valid fingerings. On mandolins, and other 4 stringed instrumetns, the player often abandons the root, 5th or 3rd.

Hitting the chord button will play the chord (see makeWaves.py above). Hitting the arpeggio button will play the notes one by one. Hitting the button which describes the individual string tunings will play the sound of the instrument when un-fretted (when a capo(s) is applied, it effects the tones appropriately)

The slider at the bottom is a volume control and the slider at the top determines the "speed" of the arpeggio.

For any chord, touching the fretboard will display all of the chordtones on the entire fretboard. Touching it again displays the current chord.

The chord tones and notes are displayed in the upper right

Identify mode

In identify mode, you touch the fingerboard to indicate a fingering When you hit Find, all possible "names" for the chord are given. If the fingering is a chord partial, then the missing chord tones are indicated. If there are capos, you will be prevented from fretting "behind" the capo.

Scale Mode

In scale mode, you select a key (the root) and the scale type (second column on left). All notes on the scale across the entire fretboard are displayed. If you touch a root position, a two octave display is highlighted. Hitting the scale button plays the scale. The speed/volume sliders are also effective here. If the mode is one of the greek modes, then the base key is displayed in the upper right hand corner (for example, A Aoelian is based on C Ionian (major), A Dorian is actually the key of G Ionian (major)). Every effort is made to have the appropriate anharmonics (sharps or flats) display based on the key signature (or for the greeek modes, its base). You can toggle the display between scale notes and scale degrees and, for "ambiguous" key signatures (like A#/Bb), you can toggle anharmonic notes between sharps and flats. New Feature. A Spinner is presented to allow for different modes of calculating a 2 0ctave scale. This is experimental at this point.

• debugStream.py

is a handy class for creating output that doesn't bog down the pythonista console which can slow debugging down.

Usage:

out = debugStream()

out.push("this {} is formated to here {}",'string1','string2')
.
.
.
.
out.send()

first parameter is the format string that would be used with the .format method. Any number of arguments that correspond to fields in the format string can follow.

• Spinner.py

is a custom view class that creates a spinner view, consisting of a value field and and up/down button pair. The spinner values can be scalar (int/float) or lists. In the former case, you can specify an increment that represents the effect of the buttons and limits that prevent the buttons from going past the limits. You can associate two actions, one for a successful button push (before reaching a limit) and one that fires when you push a button at a limit. You can set/get value or position in a list.

Usage:

	spinner = Spinner(name='spinner',  # useful for dictionary type reference to subview
										initialValue= 10, # can be a list or tuple
										limits=(0,100),   # only relevant for scalar 
										action=None, # done if action was successful
										limitAction=None, #done if hit a limit
										textFraction = 0.75, # for width of spinner, defines portion that value field occupies
										fontSize = 12,       # font size of displayed value (system font)
										spinnerSize=(80,80)  # width,height of spinner
	                  )
	spinner.position = (200,200)	# positions spinner in containing view. 
	where = spinner.position			# returns current position
	fred = spinner.value 					# returns current value
	spinner.value = 25 						# sets current value
	spinner.increment = 2					# sets increment
	spinner.pointer = 5						# set where in a list value to display
	index = spinner.pointer				# returns the pointer

• Shield.py

is a custom view that creates a translucent "shield" to prevent views behind it from being responsive to touches. Simplifying having only the topmost view respond to touches.

v = ui.View(frame=(0,0,500,500))
vShield = Shield(v)  # created a shield instance the size and position of the argument view
v.present()
vShield.conceal()   # turns on the shield
vShield.reveal()    #turns off the shield
vShield.isActive()  # returns that status
vShield.delete()		# destroys the shield object.

Have fun

[polymerchm]

For those interested, here is what it started from

[polymerchm]

I've added a couple of more things to the iPad version. Realistic sounds from soundfonts, better results in the identify mode. Now I am contemplating an iPhone version using Scrollviews. More new fun stuff to learn.

[polymerchm]

Now iPhone 6 compatible. see the iphone branch on github.