RoGame Software Releases ChordLab 2.0 For iOS

RoGame Software has announced ChordLab 2.0 for iOS. ChordLab is a multi-tool for students, seasoned musicians and song-writers aiding in many aspects of harmony, arrangement and composition. Music theory is often complex and correctly spelling a chord that may have sharps and flats, double flats or double sharps is not always easy. This is where the traditional chord books and apps become somewhat useless and ChordLab steps in.

In its top to bottom approach ChordLab begins with a basic chord form which can then be put through permutations by adding alterations, applying inversions or different voicings. It features all the standard voicings commonly used in Jazz, Rock, Pop, and elsewhere. In that sense it serves as a color palette or sounding board that automatically generates valid fingerings for the piano or guitar in addition to the correct music notation. The result is a much deeper and better understanding of the underlying principles of harmony.

Version 2.0 introduces 3 additional voicings for a total of 8 and a complete set of drop voicings. By not restricting itself to just the main or common voicings ChordLab 2.0 adds new groups of color to the toolset and hundreds of new combinations to play around with. While maybe not always appropriate these voicings often deliver surprising yet familiar qualities.


The optimized layout in version 2.0 allows for 18% larger instrument interfaces for piano and guitar while maintaining the 2 octave span necessary to display all chord forms. The re-written chord engine centers chords better and avoids empty first frets for guitar. As in previous versions the guitar instrument allows custom tunings which can now also be applied in left-hand mode. The recently added "all notes" setting is available in left-hand mode as well.

The re-designed chord picker now adds a much requested rating column and has had somewhat of a graphic overhaul. Several new chord definitions have been added in version 2.0. New in ChordLab's notation view are highlighting of notes when in arpeggio mode and tap playing of individual notes.

The chord finder feature in ChordLab allows to input 3 or 4 notes to determine their harmonic quality. ChordLab will always find the enharmonically simplest solution and does not require knowledge of whether a note is called G# or an Ab. C-Gb-Bb-D for example will resolve to a D aug7 chord with a correct spelling of C-F#-A#-D. This is especially useful for guitarists that rarely encounter chords in root position due to the tuning of the instrument.

Another essential tool found in ChordLab is the Circle of Fifths which is implemented interactively. It not only allows to look up key signatures for major and minor, but all major modes like dorian, phrygian, etc. Additionally ChordLab displays degree structures for a key in standard Roman numerals. This is extremely useful when putting together chord progressions.


ChordLab is not a chord book in the classical sense or app just listing pages of undifferentiated C chords. Instead it involves the ear and showcases the finer shades of harmony available with each alteration, voicing and inversion based on the concepts of music theory. It is a great aid where chord spelling and voice leading are concerned but also delivers when a fingering for an unknown chord is needed. ChordLab 2.0 and ChordLab HD 2.0 are now available in the App Store.

Features:
* Chord spelling for all common chords found in fake books (i.e. Real Book)
* Chord finder finds correct chord descriptions for triads and seventh chords
* Music notation and textual representation of chord tones
* European and American chord notation
* Fingering display for piano and guitar
* Alternate fingerings for guitar where available
* Adjustable tuning for guitar instrument
* Alto, bass, tenor, treble clefs, TAB and grand staff
* All possible inversions
* All standard voicings
* Automatic reduction to 3 or 4 voices
* Automatic root and fifth substitution
* Key signatures for all major modes (circle of fifths)
* Degree structure in Roman numerals for all major modes (circle of fifths)
* Support for left-handed players
* Chord rating
* High quality guitar and piano samples
* Support for sound libraries
* Arpeggiated or block playback
* Academic discounts available
* Localized into Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish

Pricing and Availability:
ChordLab 2.0 for the iPhone or ChordLab 2.0 HD for the iPad cost $9.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and are available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music category. Educational discounts as well as a limited number of teacher copies are available.

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