Tech: Chord charts/blocks

Subject: Tech: Chord charts/blocks
From: C-flat
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 06:37 AM

I was wondering how difficult it would be for the Mudcat computer boffins to give us the option of inserting a chord chart into our posts.
Like a good many others here I am not particularly smart when it comes to figuring out how to do this stuff for myself but I have seen it offered on other sites in the same way as we have a link-maker here.
There have been a good number of threads where this diagram option would have made things a lot easier to understand and explain and as this place is all about sharing knowledge I feel it would be a welcome asset.
Any thoughts?
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Tech: Chord charts/blocks
From: Mark Clark
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 12:46 PM

We don't put graphics directly into threads because it causes threads to load too slowly. Still, we've used lots of different techniques to document chord fingerings over the years. You'll find them if you read through the threads on playing technique.

I used to to use the Online Guitar Chord Dictionary hosted by the University of Virginia. Unfortunately, they changed their technology so that we can no longer easily create a link to a specific chord. Still, it's possible to create a link to the chord you want. Use the Online Chord Dictionary to find the fingering you're looking for, then view the HTML source for the chord page to to get the URL for the GIF image that represents the chord. Once you have the URL to the GIF image, you can create an active link in your text that will display the chord.

Here are some links for Ebmaj7(add9) (E-flat major seventh with an added 9th), a chord that we're all called upon so often to play. <g>

• Ebmaj7(add9) #1
• Ebmaj7(add9) #2
• Ebmaj7(add9) #3
• Ebmaj7(add9) #4
• Ebmaj7(add9) #5
• Ebmaj7(add9) #6
• Ebmaj7(add9) #7
• Ebmaj7(add9) #8
• Ebmaj7(add9) #9
• Ebmaj7(add9) #10

Several folks use a shorthand system specifying string and fret from bass to treble. Using this system to describe Ebmaj7(add9) #7, you'd simply write something like (x/8/8/8/8/10) with the understanding that the numbers are frets and the strings move from bass to treble. If you wanted to include fingeing you could say (x/8-1/8-1/8-1/8-1/10-3). Of course other variations are possible and have been used in threads.

We've also seen a typewriter picture of chords made by using the <pre> and </pre> tags to force uniform spacing. Using that technnique, the chord above might look something like this.

            8
    |---|---|---|-o-|---|
    |---|-o-|---|---|---|
    |---|-o-|---|---|---|
    |---|-o-|---|---|---|
    |---|-o-|---|---|---|
   x|---|---|---|---|---|
  

It's a good idea to use the preview function or try things out in one of the HTML practice threads before posting just to be sure it will look as you expect.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Tech: Chord charts/blocks
From: C-flat
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 04:44 PM

Thanks for the information Mark.
I wouldn't want to promote anything that handicaps the smooth running of this site and only mention it because I see this type of facility running on, what appears to me to be, inferior sites to this, without any difficulty.
I'm speaking from the disadvantage of being completely out of my depth, where all things related to computers are concerned, and am therefore happy to accept that it's not practical on this site, which is a shame because there's no other site I know with as much musical knowledge floating around for the good of all!
I'll take your suggestion to have a try with the "pre" tags (haven't seen that before) on the practice thread.
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Tech: Chord charts/blocks
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 07:42 PM

Tip: if you want to use text to represent chords, select a Courier font which will avoid proportional spacing, and display as you intended. Avoid Times New Roman!