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Guitar Strum Trainer (beta version)

Interactive tool that teaches a variety of strumming patterns.  Easily create and save new strum patterns with any number of measures.  Adjust speed to match your skill level.  Experimental new capability that listens to your strumming and informs you if you are missing the pattern, rushing or dragging. 

USAGE: Pick a rhythm from the preset list of songs or add your own custom rhythm.  Set the tempo to a speed you are comfortable with and select Start. Use the metronome graphic to keep track of time, or follow the strumming pattern animation at the bottom of the screen. Use the Speed Trainer to increase the speed automatically every four bars if you are trying to go faster.  The Rhythm Coach is a new capability that listens to your playing and let's you know if you are missing beats, dragging or rushing.  You'll need to give it access to your microphone to do this.

CUSTOM RHYTHMS: Have a rhythm that's just kicking your butt?  Add your own custom chord sequence by adding one measure at a time selecting whole notes, half notes, triads, quarter notes, eight notes, 16th notes, 32nd notes. Select an emphasis for any note in the measure (normal, accented, mute, slap).  Rock beats often have four measures of quarter notes.  Waltzes and some country have three measures of quarter notes.  Even create 5/4, 5/8 or 7/8 rhythms (see Schism, YYZ, Take Five, March of the Pigs and 15 Step). 

NOTES: Custom rhythms are currently saved to local storage in your browser. If you change computers or browsers, or if you clear you cache, you may lose you custom rhythms. A future version will allow saving to a file. The Rhythm Coach feature is still in early stages as it is difficult to separate the guitar sound from the computer speaker sound.  Try adjusting the sensitivity or wearing headsets to separate them.

Guitar Chord Trainer (beta version) 

Interactive tool that teaches triads, triad inversions, open chords, barre chords, root chords and jazz shell chords across the fretboard.  Configure your preferred string sets, inversions and target frets.  Select from a series of Blues, Classical, Jazz, Rock, and Random chord sequences or create and save your own.  The chord sequence notes scroll across the screen at your preferred speed.  The triad or triad inversion is played through your speakers along with simple drum and bass tracks.  The random chord sequences generate a series of major, minor and 7 chords so you can practice reacting quickly to unexpected chord changes.

USAGE: Pick a chord sequence from the preset song list, random sequences options or custom sequences.  Select a preferred inversion set if applicable. Pick a target fret area and the tool will try to keep all generated chords and fingerings in that area. (Target frets may not apply if you select open chords, root chords, or single inversion options.)  Hit play to get started.

CUSTOM SEQUENCES: To create a new chord sequence, add measures as needed by entering chord names such as A, Bm, Cb-, D7, Emin7, Fb5b7, Gdim, Asus4, Badd4, C6, Dm6, etc.  Enter '%' to repeat a measure or note.  Enter '-' to extend the prior note. Enter '.' for a rest or muted notes.  Enter 'X' for a palm muted note.  To enter multiple notes in a single measure, enter all of the notes between square brackets, e.g. [A % Cm Dm], [F Em G], [Cdim7 . . G-], [D X X X]. 

NOTE: Be sure to save your custom chord sequences to a file occasionally. They are only saved in your browser until you do. If you change browsers or clear your cache, you'll lose any you haven't saved. 

Guitar Note & Chord Quiz (beta version) 

Interactive tool that challenges you to identify chords and notes by chord name, guitar tab and traditional music notation.  Split windows show the notes or chords scrolling from right to left in the upper window in your choice of display format (Note Name, Guitar Tab, Traditional Music Notation).  The lower windows shows question marks until the note or chords is played and then identifies it as it scrolls left in an alternate format. 

USAGE: Choose from random notes or approximations of well known songs.  Choose your preferred instrument (acoustic, electric, ukulele) to narrow the note range. Then choose an approximation of a popular song or random notes or chords.  Choose allowed note types (natural, sharp, flat, all), target fret ranges, target string set, or target pitch ranges to focus in on weak areas.  Put the song or random source by chord name, guitar tab or standard musical notation in the top window and set the lower window to one of the other notation formats.  Then hit play and try to guess the note or chord name, position, or musical notation before it is revealed in the yellow bar. Set the speed to match your skill level.  Refer to the Help&Guide for more information.

IF YOU FIND ANY BUGS OR CLUMSY CHORD FINGERINGS IN THESE TOOLS, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO kbush7950@gmail.com.  SUGGESTIONS WELCOME!