Current Chord Palette

What's In a Name?

The Current Chord Palette displays all the notes in the Current Chord and all the possible ways that the chord could be named. A Chord Name is another way of describing which notes are in the chord.

The letter name assigned to a chord is called the Root. The Root Note is used as an anchor for the chord. A chord named for just its root note, such as a C chord, is a triad with a root note (C), a major third (E), and a perfect 5th (G).

Extensions are added to a chord's name to specify alterations to the basic major triad. For example, m indicates that the 3rd tone has been changed to a minor 3rd. 7 indicates that a Dominant 7 has been added.

The following table shows the names of tones in the key of C in the primary and secondary octaves:

Chord Tones

The black box at the top of the window displays all the tones in the Current Chord arranged in ascending order beginning with the root of the Current Chord. Tones appear in different colors based on their relationship to the keyscale and other factors, as shown here:

Chord Name

The white box below the Chord Tones contains the name of the Current Chord. The letter name depends on the setting of the Chord Root Button and the position of the Scale Cursor.

Check out Appendix C: Chord Naming to get the lowdown on all the special characters that appear in chord names.

The Extended Name List

The full palette shows a total list of 12 chords, named for each of the 12 keys. This allows you to see how your chord fits into other "contexts." Any of these names is equally good. Which one you pick is up to you.

The colors of chords in the extended list are significant.

Blue chord names indicate that the Current Chord is a harmony of that key. For example, the C chord is a harmony of the keys F and G. (In F it is the V and in G it is the IV). Chord names will only appear in blue when the Chord Root is set to (see below).

Click on a name in the extended list to select it as the name for the chord. When the root is locked (See below) this will move the Scale and Key Cursors in the Scale Palette but the name will not be changed.

The ABC / 123 Gadget

This gadget toggles between the two viewing modes for notes and chords. In Number Mode Click to toggle between:

Chord Root Button

The Chord Root Button appears to the left of the Chord Tones. Click the gadget to toggle between and . Option-click to lock the Root.

Locking the Root

As you move around in the Scale Palette you actually change the context of the Current Chord. This is useful so long as you're trying to find a good name for your chord, but afterwards it can become an inconvenience. The Root Lock causes the Current Chord to retain its current key and root settings and to ignore the position of the Scale and Key Cursors. This allows you to use the Scale Palette more freely without concern that you might SNAFU a chord's name.

Disclosure Triangle

Click to view or hide the Extended Name List.

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