Song generator based on modes - need help

[tZer]

Song Generator - Verse, Chorus, Bridge chord progressions generated based on key and mode.

I am developing a 'build a random song based on modes' application. It is intended to provide a 'song chart' in the AABA 32 bar format based on entering:

• Number of chords/bar in the verse, chorus and bridge
• General key (A - G no sharps or flats yet)
• Mode

The purpose is many-fold, but right now it is to provide my Monday night jam band with 'songs/a series of chord progressions' to base our othewise random jams on.

To offer us something to eliminate "2 chord pergatory", I concocted this app. It asks for how many chords changes you want in the verse, chorus and bridge, respectively - what fundamental key you want the overall 'song' to be based on and a mode to apply to the generated chords.

I am fairly new to the concept of using modes. I found a lot of info in the Wikipedia - and I have a number of questions.

I am generating the chords for the chord progressions using the using the scales of the selected modes. The scales are based on the key you enter and the following intervals:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

TTsTTTs Ionian (modern major)
TsTTTsT Dorian
sTTTsTT Phrygian
TTTsTTs Lydian
TTsTTsT Mixolydian
TsTTsTT Aeolian (modern minor)
sTTsTTT Locrian

I then base each chord off of the triads you find within the scales that are generated.

I have no idea if this is correct 'theory-wise', but it is a starting point for me to begin created the logic that generates 'songs'.

Please take a look at this early, early, early example app. and if you have any info that can help me make this thing useful, please pass it along.

Developing this app. is both to help my little recreational jam band AND to help me get a better grip on my theory. I may be barking up the entirely wrong tree or even be in the wrong forrest altogether, but it seems like a good idea and I appreaciate any and all constructive criticism or helpful info.

Thanks!
--tz

[superbassman2000]

thats a cool little app

[tZer]

Thanks! - I have the basic logic worked out on how to toss chords onto the chart - but I am very uncertain, at this point, if I am constructing the chords themselves properly.

For example, using C as a key:
The app. takes the key you initially choose and uses it to place the first chord of the verse (C). Then it randomly selects chords for the rest of the verse from the chords in the mode you selected.

Then it chooses the chord in the 4th position of the scale (F) to start the chorus and fills the rest of the chorus with random chords from the mode's scale.

For the bridge it chooses the chord at the 5th position of the scale (G) and does the same random selection for the rest.

The idea is that you can get a 'suggestion' or a 'challenge' for a song based on these generated chord progressions and since the chords are from a particular mode, the song will adopt a 'feel' or 'mood' related to that mode. It becomes your job as the musician to make a coherant melody, rhythm pattern, etc... Since you can choose the number of changes per bar and then edit each bar's chords means that you could conceivably get a 'suggestion' that is really close to something you like and you can simply 'massage' the changes that are not working for you and 'BAM!' instant song.

My biggest concern is getting the chords for each mode's scale right so that this can become an effective tool to help learn chords, modes, melody construction, all that jazz.

--tz

[BassChuck]

This is a very cool application. If your goal was to generate a song with only chords to fit a certain scale or mode, I would say you've done that. I ran several examples and then put the chords into Band In A Box and it seems like they would work very well.... at least to support a selection of chords to fit the scale.

This would be a fun application for many people. I hope you make it available.

Keep thinking along these lines.... I'd guess you'll produce other interesting musical tools.

[tZer]

BassChuck - Thanks! That is very encouraging for me!

I saw Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey years ago at a clinic where the solicited the audience for chords then proceeded to jam on those chords effectively demonstrating that a 'song' can be generated over just about any chord progression - So I wanted to take that concept up a notch and make the chord progressions follow some sort of loose, but real structure.

The next phase of this project is to ensure that the chords I am putting on the chart are correctly defined based on my criteria of key against mode. If I get that part right, the rest is bells and whistles.

And I will definitely be making it publically available.

[steve66]

Nice App, keep up the good work..