How do I get this file? I would like to enter a chord such as CdimMaj7, instead of B/C. The chord builder dosen't give me the option to do this. Later, Ray

Hi Ray. It's a text file located in the main /BB folder. This is an instructional file and you can read it with Notepad or any ASCII editor.

The file you will need to edit (or create) is shortcut.txt which would also be placed in the main /BB folder.

It's very easy and surprisingly powerful to make these shortcuts for chord entry.

Thanks Matt. I found the file. I made a shortcut.txt folder, now I don't know what to do with it. I'd appreciate step-by-step instructions on what I need to do now to get the chord I want. Later, Ray

I think the instructions are at the top of the pg shortcut file, with an example. The one you create uses the same format.

In BIAB, how do I access the chord I've put in the shortcut file? Thanks for your answers. Later, Ray

If you called the chord Abdim7 and the shortcut is qq, on the chord sheet you type qq right?

In the shortcut.txt file the chord is CdimMaj7. How do I get it to appear on the BIAB chord sheet. There must be another another step to connect it to the program. Later, Ray

Hi, Ray. You have to add a line at the end of the pgshortc.txt and then save it. After that, you have to start BiaB again, and if you have entered a legal shortcut, it will handle some of the typing for you.

For example, in my 2010 installation, I just added

99@7b9

(on a line by itself). Whenever I type "99" the program will substitute "7b9" for it; "C99" gives me a result in the chordsheet of "C7b9", and it does work OK. I think program updates over-write changes to that shortcut file and make it necessary to do it all again each time. If you make a complex one, better keep a copy somewhere, in case I'm not wrong.

The first part of the pgshortc.txt file explains its use, but it took me a few times through before I grasped it. You can't do things that are against BiaB convention. I get the impression BiaB wants nothing to do with a dimMaj7 chord, no matter what you try. I'm probably wrong about that, too. Let us know how you make out with it.

Thank you allis. I'm still not clear on a couple of things, but like you did I'll keep on trying. Later, Ray

You may be trying to get it to do something impossible.

I have yet to enter that CdimMaj7 chord successfully. I can't type it in, and it won't enter into the Chord Builder. If BiaB won't accept a certain chord, then you won't be able to get it to enter with a shortcut or any other way.

But maybe you know a spelling that works. If so, make sure you enter it that same way into the shortcut text file. If you get it wrong there, it just rudely ignores the shortcut without explanation, the same way it acts if you make a typo during entry.

Ray, I think BIAB doesn't recognize that chord. Try this in shortcut.txt for a Maj 9 shortcut - type "j9@maj9". Enter it on a new line without the semi colon and no quote marks and save it. Then open BIAB and see if entering CJ9 gives you a C Maj9. Then you will know if it is working properly.

I was away, and everyone has admirably carried on this thread correctly.

To reiterate, BIAB cannot create by shortcut a chord type it does not support.

Thanks to all. Hopefully this chord (XdimMaj7), will be included soon. Later, Ray

Quote:

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Hopefully this chord (XdimMaj7), will be included soon.

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Likely not before BB distinguishes between Xdim and Xdim7. Otherwise XdimMaj7 will likely make the BB engine stall.

Could well be another decade or two ...