Software for creating fretboard diagrams?

Soundhound · #1 06-07-2008, 09:00 PM

Anybody know of anything like that? I'm taking some Berklee online classes and I'm wanting to diagram various parts of the neck, how chords/inversions intersect at various parts of the neck, and I'd love to be able to get it down on paper.

Of course, the option of paper and pencil comes to mind, but I don't remember how to use those things.

thanks!

Swain · #2 06-07-2008, 11:23 PM

Here's something that lets you make Chord Diagrams:

http://www.zippybackflash.com/software-quickchord.php

I know it's not a full diagram. But, I thought you might need it.

Soundhound · #3 06-08-2008, 12:11 AM

Thanks Swain, that looks cool! Unfortunately, I'm on Mac. And I'm imaging something that'll let me diagram overlapping patterns/chords. So it would need different colors or something for the various chord groups/scales...

stevel · #4 06-08-2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundhound

Thanks Swain, that looks cool! Unfortunately, I'm on Mac. And I'm imaging something that'll let me diagram overlapping patterns/chords. So it would need different colors or something for the various chord groups/scales...

I used Coreldraw and made a grid, complete with thicker lines for the low strings and thinner for the high strings, etc.

Then I made little circles and put a numeral in it for fingering.

Then I make little triangles, squares and pentagons for various things (like square would be the 7th of a 7th chord (since 7th chords have four notes) or something similar) that I could also putt numerals in.

You can of course do colors in a program like that.

So I realize it's not a "guitar" program and it's a lot of "manual" labor - though so is pencil and paper - but it might be something to think about if you have access - a Graphics Program.

Peace,
Steve

johnboggs · #5 06-08-2008, 09:56 AM

I don't know if it's available for the Mac but I use Chords.exe (do a web search for download sites). It allows you to specify how many frets and vertical versus horizontal orientation and it allows you to copy the diagram so you can paste it into other documents. I make a page of diagrams by repeatedly pasting the digram into Word.

Gigbag · #6 06-08-2008, 12:34 PM

I don't know if it is still available, but several years ago I got "Fretboard IQ." It was reasonably priced, and allows you to do multiple color overlays of scales, chords, notes, etc. There are a lot of things built into it (scales, chords, tutorials, etc.). You can edit the range of the fretboard you are diagraming with "filters".

The only negatives:

It takes a bit to get used to how it works, but it really is not difficult once you get used to it.
All the diagrams are horizontal (i.e. nut is on the left, low E string on the bottom).

It is a great tool, but I would have preferred more flexibility in rotating and graphics. You wouldn't use to to write a guitar book. But, for the money you really can't complain.

I just Googled it: http://www.fretboardiq.com/

$24.95

second edit: I just noticed you want it for a Mac. Fretboard IQ may only work on PC.

Mita · #7 06-08-2008, 01:36 PM

The only thing I can think of for mac is guitar-pro 5.
Hope it helps.

bluesjunior · #8 06-08-2008, 03:02 PM

Just googled this. Hope it helps.

http://web.forret.com/tools/guitar.asp

IanS · #9 06-08-2008, 04:45 PM

Here is a fantastic chord-based tool:

http://www.michaelhogg.btinternet.co.../index_big.htm

I cannot figure out how to print from it - perhaps you can contact the author.

I am looking for a way to quickly put together pages of chord progressions using individual chord diagrams. I've been using the zippy tool listed above and pasting them into documents, but would love to find something purpose-built. Anyone?