Syncing chord changes to downbeat, Any Beat or Free Run
To ensure accurate chord changes on the downbeat or on the beat, ChordWalk offers a Sync option. Select Sync to Downbeat or to any Beat, and ChordWalk will automatically synchronise chord changes to occur on that selection.
Scale Degree Positions for Chord Selection Matrix
In the default setting, chord positions are shown in their ascending scale degree positions with Roman numeral indicators. You can display the chord positions in a Circle of Fifths profile by selecting the “Circle of Fifths” icon.
Setting-up your Piano Keyboard layout
As a default, ChordWalk’ presents a piano instrument view with the “C” major key selected. Any Key position on the Piano Keyboard Image will play the note that corresponds to that key position. There is an option to select a guitar instrument view.
Playing Triad Chords
ChordWalk displays the triad chords for a selected key on the bottom row of the Chord Matrix Panel in their scale degree positions labelled with Roman numerals. Select a Chord sector, and your selected DAW instrument will play the notes of that Chord.
Playing Seventh Chords
The seventh chord is just the basic triad chord with a fourth note added. Seventh chords are displayed in the middle column of the Chord Selection Matrix in their scale degree positions. Seventh chords have the number “7” affixed to their chord name.
Playing Borrowed Chords
Many modern composers have expanded the creative boundaries and introduced chords that include notes that are not contained within a single key. These chords are called “borrowed chords” as they contain notes that are borrowed temporarily from another key.
Selecting a Musical Key and Octave Range
To start a new composition, open a new tab and select a key or key combination using the Key Selection icon. A drop-down menu displays the key options. Select the desired key, mode or key combination.
Using Chordwalk with MPC Beats
MPC Beats is a free application designed primarily for use with pad-based controllers. Even in its standard free version, it includes a wide selection of authentic instrument templates, and you can expand your sound library by purchasing additional expansion packs.
Using Chordwalk with Reaper
ChordWalk allows any user—even those with limited music theory or playing experience—to quickly create meaningful and satisfying beats and solos in Reaper.
Save and Recall Creation Settings
You can save your creation settings using the Save Creation Settings icon as shown below. Remember to label the saved settings in a file with a name that is related to the creation to quickly retrieve it for later use in another project.
Playing Chord using Qwerty Keyboard
Chords can also be selected using your Qwerty keyboard. The assignments are shown here.
Guitar Chord Selection
A guitar-stringed instrument view is presented when the Guitar icon is selected. As with the Piano view, select a creation tab, a music key and an octave range, and you are ready to start playing notes by activating the virtual strings.
Guitar displaying the Individual Chord Note Positions.
The second option for guitar playing is notes selected. With Notes Selected, all the chords of the selected key and their note identifiers are displayed. You can display the chords as Triad, Seventh or Borrowed chords. The chords for the selected key are displayed in their scale-degree positions.
Arpeggiation
What are Arpeggios? Arpeggios are ubiquitous in all genres of music over many centuries. Arpeggios provide energy, movement, flow, interest and rich colour to music creation and performance.
Chord Arpeggiation
An arpeggio arranges chord notes into rhythmic patterns and sequences, allowing customization of note values, lengths, orders, sequences, octave ranges, transpositions, and voicings.
Arpeggiators in ChordWalk
In ChordWalk, using fewer, well-constructed arpeggios create better rhythms and melodies. Features like "Sync to Downbeat" enhance performance while allowing advanced customization and MIDI routing.
Arpeggiator Main Control Panel
The Master Control panel allows you to enable, add, adjust volume, stop, and sync all Arpeggiators, with features to manage metronome settings and reset Arpeggiators.
Adding Arpeggiators
Now that you are comfortable using a single Arp, we will add more Arpeggiators to give your creations depth, variety, and color. To open a new Arpeggiator, click the + button labelled "Open New Arp."
Individual Arp Settings and Controls
Start with basic settings on a single Arpeggiator pane in ChordWalk, then experiment with note patterns, octaves, and step settings, and route outputs to multiple MIDI destinations for varied and interactive arpeggio creation.
Arpeggio Individual Note Settings - Level 2
In the Arpeggio Pane, you can customize the play order, volume, and gate settings of individual notes, create rests, and experiment with different patterns, with indicators showing active notes.