Play hard chords easily.

ChordEase makes it easier to improvise over complicated chord progressions. No matter what the chords are, you can play as if they were all in the key of C. You don't need to play sharps or flats, because ChordEase automatically adds them for you. Though ChordEase is intended for jazz, it could be useful for any type of music that modulates frequently. ChordEase alters your notes in real time in order to make them harmonically correct, while preserving their rhythm and dynamics. By delegating rapid music theory calculations to ChordEase, you gain freedom to concentrate on other aspects of improvisation and performance, such as feel and aesthetics.

ChordEase is a translator that takes MIDI notes as input, and produces MIDI notes as output. The input notes are mapped to the current chord scale, so that the output notes fit the chord progression of a song. ChordEase supports various mapping functions which determine how the translating is done. ChordEase can handle multiple translations at once, so multiple performers can play through a single instance of ChordEase, using any number of MIDI instruments. ChordEase parameters can be remotely controlled via MIDI for additional effects. ChordEase can also record its own output as MIDI data.

News

Feb 20, 2017

Version 1.0.14 adds the Numbers mapping function and also fixes some issues. Download here.

Mar 15, 2016

Version 1.0.13 adds harmonizing to a chord and harmony groups, and fixes a long list of issues.

Aug 7, 2015

Version 1.0.12 adds chord substitution and a chord bar, and fixes many issues.

May 30, 2015

ChordEase was demonstrated at NIME 2015, and the accompanying paper is here.

May 28, 2015

Version 1.0.11 adds tagging, tap tempo, adaptive arpeggios, and more.

Feb 17, 2015

Version 1.0.10 fixes various minor issues.

Oct 21, 2014

Version 1.0.09 adds synchronization to an external device via MIDI clocks.

Aug 30, 2014

Version 1.0.08 has comprehensive help and supports Impro-Visor files.

Jun 16, 2014

Version 1.0.07 enhances the MIDI learn feature and fixes some bugs.

Jun 2, 2014

Version 1.0.06 can record rubato, and adds a player for recordings.

May 19, 2014

Version 1.0.05 adds an output notes bar, and lets you play notes with a continuous controller.

May 15, 2014

Version 1.0.04 adds song editing via the chart view instead of a text editor.

Apr 29, 2014

Version 1.0.03 adds a virtual piano and many other good things.

Apr 14, 2014

Version 1.0.1 fixes a few bugs.

Apr 12, 2014

Alpha version 1.0.0 is up. No help yet but soon.