Generator Configuration

The current version of SongKit only supports chord voicings (or fingerings) generators. Voicings are computed on the fly, using a set of parameters. Some of them depends on the chord but are common to all instruments, others are dependant on the current instrument and its setup.

Chord dependent settings

Omissions

Use this setting to configure which intervals of the chord can be omitted in the voicing. Possible values are

  • None: All intervals must be present;
  • Allow standard: Some customary intervals (like the 5th in four notes chords) can be absent;
  • Force standard: Customary intervals will be omitted. No voicing will have such interval;
  • Any: Any interval can be missing in the voicing.

Finer configuration will come in a future version.

Default value: Allow standard

Inversion

Use this setting to configure if a specific inversion of the chord is required
Default value: Unspecified

Kind

Use this setting to configure if a specific permutation of intervals in the voicing like “Drop 2” or “Drop 3”. You can use the presets or customize intervals order. When customizing the permutation, higher-pitched notes are toward the top, lower-pitched toward the bottom, and the 8vb or 8va separators mark a one-octave gap.
Default value: Unspecified

Piano specific settings

With the current version of the app, settings for piano voicings are limited. Many more options will come in a future version of the app.

Physical properties

Hands

You can select to use only the left hand, only the right hand or both hands.
Default value: Right hand

Left hand fingers

This configures the number of fingers that can be used by the left hand.
Default value: 1 to 3

Left hand configuration

This configures the size of the hand. For each couple of fingers, you specify how many white keys you can cover. This defines the shape of this hand and which voicings it can achieve.
Default value: Medium

Right hand fingers

This configures the number of fingers that can be used by the right hand.
Default value: 2 to 5

Right hand configuration

This configures the size of the hand. For each couple of fingers, you specify how many white keys you can cover. This defines the shape of this hand and which voicings it can achieve.
Default value: Medium

Two-handed voicings

Allow mixed hands

In two-handed configurations, keys from one hand can overlap keys from the other hand.
Default value: false

Allow crossed hands

In two-handed configurations, hands can be crossed, with the right hand to the left of the keyboard.
Default value: false

Fingerization

Fingerize voicings

If enabled, the app will assign one finger to each note. Voicings with the same shape can be fingerized in different ways.
Default value: false

Allow thumb on black keys

If enabled, configurations where the thumb lands on a black key are allowed.
Default value: true

Allow thumb to press two notes

If enabled, configurations where the thumb presses two adjacent notes are allowed.
Default value: false

Only one voicing for each shape

If enabled, fingerization will occur, but it will stop as soon as a configuration is found for a specific shape. For two-handed configurations or chords with many notes, thousands of configurations can be generated otherwise. It is recommended to keep this setting enabled, or to restrict the degrees of freedom elsewhere. For example, you can narrow and lower the ranges of fingers used for each hand.
Default value: true

Guitar-like specific settings

Fret range

This characterize the range of frets involved in the fingering.
Default value: Nut to 12

Physical properties

Fingers used

This characterize the number of fingers involved in the fingering.
Default value: None to 4

Fret span

This characterize the number of consecutive frets the fingering can be. It only counts fretted frets.
Default value: 1 to 3

Increase fret span limit when high in the neck

Because frets are closer higher in the neck, your reach is bigger. This setting automatically rises the max fret range when the fingering position is high in the neck.
Default value: No

Root is bass

If relaxed, any interval of the chord can be the bass of the fingering (the lowest sounding note). If required, only the root (or split bass) will be the bass of the fingering. When “Automatic” is selected, the value is “Required” for guitars and basses, and “Relaxed” for other instruments like the ukulele or the banjo.
Default value: Automatic

Barre chords

Allow barres

When this setting is active, fingerings where one finger pushes several strings at once are allowed.
Default value: Yes

Barre can jump the first string

Usually, barres are pushing all the first strings. When is setting is active, the barre may avoid them to let them ring open.
Default value: No

Barre can be formed by any finger

Usually, barres are realized with the index finger. When this setting is active, the barre can be formed by any finger. This also allows fingerings with several barres.
Default value: No

Playability

Allow open strings

Fingerings without open strings may be easier to play when using a bottleneck.
Default value: Yes

Allow jumped strings

Fingerings without jumped strings are easier to strum.
Default value: Yes

Set of fingerings

Primitive fingerings only

A primitive fingering is a fingering that can’t be created from another fingering by muting some strings. Restricting to them only avoids redundant information.
Default value: Yes

Drone string

Drone is always open

When the instrument has a drone string, it can be kept unfretted. This setting only works for 5 strings banjos and has no effect otherwise.
Default value: No