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Chords I
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Chords

In the window for selecting chords, you can find three groups of chords:

  • triads
  • “common” seventh chords
  • other seventh chords

Further you can set which inversions to be tested on. You need to select at least one available inversion for each selected chord. Some things to consider for that:

  • Triads don't have a third inversion. If you have selected a triad, you need to select at least one of “Root Position”, “1st Inversion”, “2nd Inversion”.
  • Since the “Dom7(b5)” chord is “half symmetrical” (second inversion = root position, third inversion = first inverrsion), you need to select either “Root Position” and/or “1st Inversion” — “2nd Inversion” and “3rd Inversion” are not available for this chord.

If you select “Don't Ask For Inversions”, all inversion will be played but you will not be asked to determine which one it was for a particular exercise. Otherwise you will see a window asking you for the inversion of the currently played chord after having answered the chord quality.
Please note that the augmented triad (“Aug”) and the diminished seventh chord (“Dim7”) are symmetrical (i.e. all inversions are the same). Therefore you will never be asked for inversions for either chord.

Tip:
When holding down the Command key (the key with the Apple symbol) while clicking the “Play” button, you will only hear the root of the chord (as in the currently played chord).
Using the Option key (“alt”) lets you hear the bass note (i.e. the lowest note of the chord).
When holding down both keys, you will hear the root note dropped one or more octaves until it is lower than the bass note of the chord — provided that root and bass note are not the same. This is always described as “Root (8vb)” in the “Play” button, no matter if and how far the root was dropped.

Please also note the settings for chords in the Preferences window.

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