Chords mode - GNU LilyPond
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#### 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 3, 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 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+ }

This page is for LilyPond-2.8.8 (stable-branch).

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