Chords, chords, chords

January 25, 2007 11:37 AM

If you can stomach (and run) Windows Media Player and are a musician*, perhaps you might find the Muse On Visualizer somewhat interesting. It attempts to extract chord names from the music stream and display them realtime. Then again, maybe you are looking to experiment with chords and music theory or else figure out what you've been banging out. * Yes, I realize +1 of you probably have problems with one or the other of these. Deal. Also, MuseOn is more fun-toy than genius-spot-on-makes-TABs-for-you.
posted by Ogre Lawless (16 comments total)

This looks really interesting. I don't know that I'd ever use the Muse On, but I'll definitely investigate the theory link when I have more time. Thanks for the post.
posted by sleepy pete at 12:00 PM on January 25, 2007

If only it was available for iTunes. :-(
posted by bhouston at 12:04 PM on January 25, 2007

meh. Doesn't seem to work in Vista.
posted by anatinus at 12:17 PM on January 25, 2007

Since the copyright holders-that-be have been such Nazi Assholes in regard to OLGA, I wonder how they'll react to software that effectively analyzes progressions.

Next they'll likely outlaw even discussing the anatomy of a chart.
posted by sourwookie at 1:17 PM on January 25, 2007

Pretty cool.

Well, I must be weird. I like WMP. I don't like the playlist functionality in iTunes.
posted by internal at 1:24 PM on January 25, 2007

Yes, I realize +1 of you probably have problems with one or the other of these. Deal.

*shuffles cards nervously next to my Mac*
posted by YoBananaBoy at 1:24 PM on January 25, 2007

I wonder how they'll react to software that effectively analyzes progressions.

"Am", "G", "D7" and "I don't know, it's like an F major 7 but with, uh, you fret it down one like—no, no, look, like this" are registered trademarks of BMG Inc. All rights reserved.
posted by cortex at 1:50 PM on January 25, 2007 [3 favorites]

I wonder how they'll react to software that effectively analyzes progressions.

Like the brain of any good jazz musician?
posted by QuietDesperation at 2:04 PM on January 25, 2007

Chord Transcriber is an old Windows program that does something similar though I don't think it works with MP3's (may be wrong though.)

Instead, how it works is you play a CD and click your mouse in time with the chord changes (the version I linked to is limited to maybe a minute or so of doing this without paying for the registered version but that's often enough to give you the basis of a song.)

Programs like this are very handy if you don't have a great ear and can't find a chord chart on the Net somewhere.

Here's a list of other similar chord transcription programs.
posted by Jaybo at 2:40 PM on January 25, 2007 [2 favorites]

"Am", "G", "D7" and "I don't know, it's like an F major 7 but with, uh, you fret it down one like—no, no, look, like this" are registered trademarks of BMG Inc. All rights reserved.

Oh man, I guess I'll have to contact a lawyer before writing another song.
posted by sleepy pete at 4:03 PM on January 25, 2007

No, just write it in C sharp major.
posted by cortex at 4:16 PM on January 25, 2007

And get back to work!
posted by cortex at 4:16 PM on January 25, 2007

I wonder how they'll react to software that effectively analyzes progressions.

hate to say it, but this does no better than giving one a vague idea ... it's easily confused
posted by pyramid termite at 9:55 PM on January 25, 2007

Thanks for the Scala tip! Completely overlooked that somehow, and it's unique.
posted by Twang at 10:11 PM on January 25, 2007

Yeah, MuseOn is having a hella of a time with an Acid Mothers Temple track right now - pure comedy!
posted by mctsonic at 10:31 AM on January 26, 2007

i know what key that acid mothers temple track is in - all of them!

(i listened to them once ... it is the only music i have ever heard in my life that was actually physically painful to listen to ... i mean, it really made my ears HURT)
posted by pyramid termite at 8:46 PM on January 26, 2007