Windows Media Encoder SDK banner art

Chord Track Properties

The Chord Track Properties Window is shown in the following figure.:

Chord Track Properties window

For the first two tabs, which are common to most track types, see the following topics:

Key Tab

The Key tab specifies the key applied to all sequence tracks and pattern tracks that belong to the same track group or groups as the chord track whose properties you are editing.

You can create multiple key signatures in a single segment by creating multiple chord tracks, and giving each chord track a different track group assignment and key signature. You can also apply a single key signature to multiple track groups by assigning one chord track to more than one track group.

By combining a name of a key, such as D or F, and an appropriate number of flats or sharps for the key, you can choose any key, including major key signatures and minor key signatures. You also specify whether a chromatic key signature name is spelled using a flat or a sharp. For instance, you might select a key of D# for the segment, but prefer to show it with the enharmonic spelling of Eb.

In the Key Root box, enter the name of the key root, or select one by using the up-down arrows. The name you enter can be the name of a major key signature (such as D major) or a minor key signature (such as D minor).

Using the option buttons, select either #'s (sharps) or b's (flats).

In the Key Signature box, enter any number from zero to 7, or select one by using the up-down arrows, to specify the number of sharps or flats to be used in the key signature.

The key signature you enter is added to the chord track, and is shown in the hybrid notation view of the pitch guide for each track to which it applies, as shown in the following figure.

Pitch guide with key signature

The key signature is shown in the grand staff just as in standard musical notation. Accidentals are also added in the editing region in front of any notes that are affected by the key signature.

When you change the key of a segment, the chords in the chord track are not altered. However, the key signature affects how the root position of a chord is interpreted in the Variation Choices Window. For example, an Fma7 chord is considered a IV chord if a segment is in the key of C, but it is a V chord if a segment is in the key of Bb.

In addition to affecting the display of sequence notes and the pitch guide, the key signature in a segment affects transitions from one segment to another. For more information, see Transition Options: Transition Pattern.


© 2000-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.