7.2.2 Chords mode

In chord mode sets of pitches (chords) are entered with normal note names. A chord is entered by the root, which is entered like a normal pitch

     
     \chordmode { es4. d8 c2 }

The mode is introduced by the keyword \chordmode.

Other chords may be entered by suffixing a colon and introducing a modifier (which may include a number if desired)

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

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

     
     \chordmode { c:3 c:5 c:6 c:7 c:8 c:9 c:10 c:11 }

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

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

Chord steps can be altered by suffixing a - or + sign to the number

     
     \chordmode { c:7+ c:5+.3- c:3-.5-.7- }

Removals are specified similarly and are introduced by a caret. They must come after the additions

     
     \chordmode { c^3 c:7^5 c:9^3.5 }

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

m

The minor chord. This modifier lowers the 3rd and (if present) the 7th step.

dim

The diminished chord. This modifier lowers the 3rd, 5th and (if present) the 7th step.

aug

The augmented chord. This modifier raises the 5th step.

maj

The major 7th chord. This modifier raises the 7th step if present.

sus

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

     
       \chordmode { c:sus4 c:7sus4 c:dim7 c:m6 }

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)

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

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

     
     \chordmode { c1 c/g c/f }

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

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

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

     
     \chordmode { c:5.5-.5+ }