garage band for ipad change standard chords in smart instruments

Question

Level 1

0 points

garage band for ipad change standard chords in smart instruments

I would like to change the 8 default chords in the smart instruments (there is this possibility, for example, in the "classical guitar" free app).
For example I may have the need, while playing a song in the key of C, to replace the Bb (available) with an E. It seems that is not possible... also it would be good to have the possibility to introduce altered chords like an E7 or a D7 while playing in C...
has anybody had the same problem?

ipad, iOS 4

Posted on Mar 15, 2011 8:03 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 15, 2011 12:36 PM in response to iannizzero

I am not totally sure if you can do that but I do know that the notes change depending on the key you are in. You can also play the individual notes in a chord after you play the whole chord. Hope that helps!

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Answer 2

akaMarko

Level 1

16 points

Mar 15, 2011 2:55 PM in response to iannizzero

I too am finding the guitar quite limiting in this regard. I'd gladly trade in half the synth sounds and a few other features to be able to have more control over the guitar features including chord progressions, etc. I'm also hoping a future release will allow for different time signatures and key changes.

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Answer 3

Mar 16, 2011 2:42 PM in response to akaMarko

Yes, this is one way in which GB for iPad is seriously deficient. It's supposed to be aimed at beginners as well as pros, but suppose I don't know (or care) what key the song is in, what if I only know the chord names? Not being able to edit them is ridiculous.

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Answer 4

bikeb

Level 1

0 points

Mar 23, 2011 5:21 AM in response to iannizzero

Yes, the guitar sounds nice, the strumming is great, but it really lacks some cool features:
- user created chords, and not just chords, but voicings would be great. When playing "real" guitar, I often use voicings with open strings. The app "Classical" has this built in, for example. The presets are based on the key you're in, but there's just too many songs with modulations out there or yet to be written
- the "Notes" funtionality is great! Bending, vibrato is authentic. But the neck is too short and limiting. No way playing a blues solo begining at the 12th fret... 😉 And please add a few more scales

I think lots of cool features will be available in future versions, I hope this feedback helps. Thanks for the great app, guys, it rocks!

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Answer 5

Mar 23, 2011 10:46 AM in response to bikeb

bikeb wrote:
Yes, the guitar sounds nice, the strumming is great, but it really lacks some cool features:

Your suggestions sound great! You should submit them to Apple:

http://www.apple.com/feedback

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Answer 6

bikeb

Level 1

0 points

Mar 24, 2011 2:37 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

just did that, thanks for the hint!

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Answer 7

iannizzero Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2011 12:13 AM in response to iannizzero

I understand from the answers that this is a very easy to implement and greatly appreciated opportunity for improvement for Garage band's develop team!
Please add this feature in the next upgrade!

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Answer 8

Apr 1, 2011 5:14 AM in response to iannizzero

iannizzero wrote:
I understand from the answers that this is a very easy to implement and greatly appreciated opportunity for improvement for Garage band's develop team!
Please add this feature in the next upgrade!

No one here can tell you if it's easy to implement or not. Use the link above to submit your feedback to Apple.

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Answer 9

Apr 8, 2011 8:44 AM in response to iannizzero

I'm having exactly the same problem this choice of chords is fine for children and raw beginners, but it is extremely limiting. I would love to know if there's a way to build a set of chords around a root or "tonic" chord and go from there.

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Answer 10

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Apr 8, 2011 11:54 AM in response to mimswright

The app hasn't been out that long. Send feedback and maybe there will be an update 🙂

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Answer 11

Apr 9, 2011 6:21 AM in response to iannizzero

Same problem here. And this is really a show stopper for me for an otherwise great app. Apple, pls do something about this, should be quite easy to change!

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Answer 12

jdoolitt

Level 1

45 points

Apr 9, 2011 8:25 AM in response to iannizzero

I'd recommend posting this question in the GarageBand for iPad section of the forum: http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1438&start=0 -- as you might get additional input and sets of eyes on your issue. With regard to changing up chords for smart instruments -- here is a thread with some advice: http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=13222108#13222108

Cheers -

joe

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Answer 13

Apr 10, 2011 8:53 PM in response to iannizzero

I found one way. Create a duplicate track (new, empty, by tapping on the track in question). Then change the key for that track, which will get you the set of chords you want. Record that section and you can paste it into the original track.

Haven't tried changing key in the original track, but it probably works too. Of course you'll have to record one section at a time.

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Answer 14

Jun 11, 2011 7:28 AM in response to science_vs_darwinism

I was unsuccessful with this. I can change the key to the whole song but not the tracks. When I select the track and change the key, it changes key of the whole song. Can you elaborate on your process?

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Answer 15

Feb 18, 2012 7:16 PM in response to iannizzero

I was able to change the chords to whatever I wanted no matter what key the track was in. Here's how I did it:

Note: These instructions are from the guitar auto instrument chord strumming screen.

1. Select the chord you want to change buy tapping it.

2. Tap the wrench icon in the top right hand corner of the screen.

3. When the menu opens select edit chords (it's the second to the last option right above help)

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