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Topic: Chords (Read 4103 times) previous topic - next topic

Chords

Can anyone tell me how to 'build up' chords in this program? With that I mean, starting with one singular note, adding another and maintaining the first note (two notes at the same time), adding another and maintaining the first and the second note (three notes at the same time), etc. The first note will -obviously- be the longest and the last added the shortest. Thanks in advance.

Re: Chords

Reply #1 –
Use Control + Enter. You can only have a maximum of two note durations in a chord, and you can't intermingle them (e.g. minim E, crotchet G, minim B is not possible). You can build up more complex chords with staff layering.

Re: Chords

Reply #2 –
Press F1 when in the program, search for chords.  That'll describe how to use Peter's info.

Re: Chords

Reply #3 –
I had this problem myself.  It is not possible to add more than two notes of different values in one chord as Peter mentioned. Also it depends on whether you  need the effect visually which can be done as Peter suggests or aurally so that it sounds that way.  To get the latter I get round this by building the chord using ties.  e.g. if you want a broken chord sustained start with an Eb quaver, then the next chord put your Eb quaver in and add a G above.  Follow that with another Eb, G and put a Bb on top.  This gives you three chords building up in arpeggio style.  Now highlight the first Eb and tie it to the next chord (Eb & G).  Highlight the second chord and tie it to the last chord (Eb,G & Bb).  When you play this the lower notes sustain through giving you the sound you want.

Hope this is of help.  If you want me to send a file with a demo of this email me at WMcCance@netscape.net

Re: Chords

Reply #4 –
I don't know what the ---- you guys are talking about, but I just make them by placing the first note, then right clicking and choosing add chord on top of the old note. you have to add your sharp/flats before you place the note (and ties, etc) , and if you screw up, you have to start all over.

Re: Chords

Reply #5 –
To Reply 4:
Notice that all of the notes are of different durations.
Also, starting over is not necessary.  To remove an incorrect note, place the cursor to the right of the note and press Ctrl+Backspace.
And finally, please watch your language.
 

Re: Chords

Reply #6 –
I think maybe what you mean is a rolled or arpeggiated chord, where you play a chord in eighth-notes, say, and all sustain to build up a held chord.

Say you're in 4/4 and want four notes staggered by an eighth note and sustaining the full bar. Easiest way is to write (say) c, e, g, c' as eighth notes, barred together, and then write a four note chord in half notes cegc'. Then tie the eighth notes to the chord; highlight each note and press a forward slash (/) key (I use the one on the number pad). That will tie each eighth note to the note at the same pitch in the following chord. You could instead press / before you enter each eighth note - they'll tie to the next note of the same pitch, when you enter it.

This will sound right when you play it back, and pianists are used to the notation; it's much less cluttered-looking  than writing the first as a half, then a dotted quarter, quarter, and eighth note - and it works in NWC without layering.