Play Mode

When you base a segment on a style, you usually provide a chord progression in a Chord Track. As the segment plays, the notes in the patterns conform to the chords. The function of a note in a part is calculated as a chord tone (1, 3, 5, or 7), or as an intervening scale tone (2, 4, or 6).

The way notes adjust to chords in a segment is called the play mode. For each part in a pattern, you set a default play mode in the Part Properties window. This default mode can be overridden for individual notes on the Note(s) Tab of the Note Properties window.

The play modes are as follows:

• Chord/Scale

  As a part plays, it conforms to the tones of the chord or, if a chord tone is not available, it uses a pitch from the underlying scale of the chord. Every note in the part plays using a pitch from the chord or its scale, so no notes in the part are omitted during playback. This behavior is important when a part plays over a variety of chords that sometimes include an added 7th tone.

  For example, if a part contains notes on steps 1, 3, 5, and 7 and it encounters a chord that contains a 7th, then all four chord tones are used to play the part. However, if the chord does not contain a 7th, the part plays using the root, 3rd, and 5th of the chords, and uses the 7th note of the chord's underlying scale to complete the part. This may add a 7th to the sound of a chord as it plays the part, even if the chord is only a triad. If the part also contains notes on steps 2, 4, or 6, the corresponding pitches from the chord's underlying scale are used to complete the part.

• Chord

  As a part plays, it conforms to as many chord tones as possible. Scale tones are used for steps 2, 4, and 6. However, if the chord does not contain a 7th, then part tones on step 7 are ignored and left out during playback. This option avoids unnecessarily adding a 7th to the sound of the chord when the chord does not contain a 7th. If a part note falls on step 7 of a chord, it plays only if the chord includes a 7th.

• Scale

  The part adjusts to the root of the chord being used and uses the scale of the chord exclusively, ignoring the chord tones.

• Pedal Point

  The key root is used and the notes only track the intervals in the scale. The chord root and intervals are completely ignored. This is useful for melodic lines that play relative to the key root. For more information, see Pedal Point Play Mode.

• Pedal Point Chord

  The key root is used and the notes only track the intervals in the chord. The chord root and scale intervals are completely ignored. This is useful for chordal lines that play relative to the key root.

• Pedal Point Always

  This mode works like Pedal Point Chord if possible, but falls back to Pedal Point if necessary.

• Fixed

  The note always plays at the same pitch in all situations, regardless of the current chord or the key signature. Fixed parts are typically used for percussion and sound effect parts.

• Fixed to Key

  Available for notes but not patterns. Notes always play at the same pitch, adjusting if a key other than C is chosen.

• Fixed to Chord Root

  Available for notes but not patterns. The note is always at the same interval relative to the chord root.