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EdZ314 Offline OP
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I've been using the layers option on the Chord Chart view in BIAB for quite a while now, which I find quite useful in my attempts to learn music theory. One of the challenges for me is that if there is a modulation or more importantly a key change in a section of a song, the Roman Numeral notation doesn't change to reflect the new key. I'm pretty sure I'm doing it correctly.

Is this just a missing feature or is it just expected that the person reading the music would be familiar enough with all of the chords in all of the keys to be able to re-interpret the notation on the fly?

I'm really curious to know if other people are using the Roman Numeral chord display feature and how useful it is.


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Hi Ed,

As far as I'm aware the Roman numerals stay relative to the original key. I suggest that you place a wish in the Wishlist Forum.

Regards,
Noel


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Thanks Noel - I'll give that a shot.


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Actually did a little research on this and found what I think is the best and looks like it's been thought of before - LOL

A quote form the following site:

“To denote a modulation, we simply write in the new key and the Roman numerals for the chords below the ones for the old key, at least until the old key is no longer applicable.”


https://www.offtonic.com/theory/book/9-5.html


Neither the current BIAB system, keeping all the Roman numerals from original key even if tune is now in the modulated key, or changing the Roman numerals to the NEW (modulated) key with no chart indication that you are in new key. Example: a IV of I in Key of C [FMaj] looks exactly like a VI of I in G [CMaj] because they both have a chart indication of "VI," but they mean different chords/keys now.

If some form of the above, i.e., write both old and new Roman Numerals together somehow, could be implemented that be the great. I think if "/" (slashes) might NOT be best way to do it because it might bring up a lot of mental "overthinking (e.g., V of V = a Secondary Dominant chord, which is a borrowed chord from another key - kind of over too over thinking while trying to just play)



Last edited by Larry Kehl; 01/30/20 11:10 AM.

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Ed:

Let me see if I understand this situation correctly.
Here's what I did as a test. (My default Chord Display Type is set to Standard)

- started with a blank, new BIAB song/grid sheet
- in the first 4 bars, I entered: | C | F | G7 | C |
- I then copied those 4 bars to the next 4 bars, i.e. 5 through 8
- I highlighted ONLY bars 5-8 & selected Edit > Transpose > Transpose From .. To
- Left Transpose From Bar set to 5, and Num. Bars to Transpose to 4
- Left Tanspose From Key at C and changed Transpose To to read D
- That changed Bars 5-8 to show: | D | G | A7 | D |
- Selected the Chord Display dropdown and set "Choose type of Chord Display"
to "Roman Numeral"

The grid now shows bars 1-8 as | I | IV | V7 | I | and | II | V | VI7 | II |
which is what I would expect.

When I play the song, it indeed plays the first 4 bars in C, the next 4 in D.

I'm just wondering what you were expecting.
In your case, would you want bars 5-8 to also DISPLAY as I, IV, V7, I but PLAY in the key of D, that is transposed up 2 semi tones but noted as if it were still the primary key?

That would make sense if you're trying to practice a song in different keys, but still have each key notated as if it were the primary key.

If that's the case, then (I suppose) your Wish List item would be:
"I want to select any bars and have them DISPLAY in one key (say the original primary key) but SOUND in a different key of my choosing."

Perhaps that would only apply if you were using Roman Numeral or another non-standard display.

Not sure what instrument you're practicing on but you may want to check out BIAB's "Capo" feature in the Guitar Window. I believe there is also provision for horn players to display in one key but sound in another.

Good luck!
LLOYD S

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