Arranger's Tool^TM

Harmonize a melody - Chorale Mode

Input melody notes for up to 16 chord changes using the mouse on a virtual keyboard. Select a key, and the program will automatically produce a four part harmonization, based on common usage progressions. Play the sequence, or the individual chords or voices. Chord voicing is based on voice leading criteria. See examples below.

Harmonize a melody - Pop Mode

Input a key, melody notes for up to 8 4/4 measures and the program will automatically select harmonizing chords based on common progressions. Harmony for each half measure (16 possible changes) will be developed. Play the melody and harmony progression or individual half measures.

Substitute chords in the harmonized melodies

Any of the chords in the harmonized melodies can be selected for substitution. The chord library will be searched for candidate substitutes based on the melody notes, progressions and chord types of the adjacent chords.

Build chord progressions

Select chords from 100 of the most commonly used types (1200 chords total). Start with the standard progressions included in the program or develop new progressions from scratch.

Standard MIDI Files - Export chord progressions and harmonizations to sequence or notation programs for further development.

Examples - Step-by-step examples are provided for all major program modes.

Harmonization Examples

Left click the links to play these simple examples to see how the basic harmonization works in the two modes. Right click to download and try them on your own synth.

Example 1 This harmonization of the old hymn "Praise Ye the Lord" was created in the CHORALE mode without substitutions.

Example 2 This harmonization of the folk melody "Tis a Gift to be Simple" was created in the POP mode without substitutions using classical style progressions.

Example 3 This is the same piece harmonized with pop style progressions without substitutions.

Example 4 This version of "Tis a Gift ..." has the melody over a four part pad. The pad was created by moving the above harmonization to the CHORALE mode and the exporting the result to Cakewalk for the addition of the melody, again, without substitutions.

Example 5 This is a four part harmony of the first 8 bars of "I Got Rhythm" using the standard chords for this piece. It could be used to improvise or create new melodies over this popular progression. It was created using the CHORALE mode voice leading algorithms.

Example 6 Here are 3 of the 36 standard progressions in the program.

Screen Shots

Chorale Mode Melody Input Window

Choral Mode Harmonized Melody Window

Pop Mode Melody Input Window

Pop Mode Harmonized Melody Window

Progression Mode Window

System Requirements

Arranger's Tool was designed for Windows 98. It has not been updated for later systems and may experience problems with Windows XP and fast computers. We have a patch which takes care of some problems, but not all. If you experience difficulties we will send you the patch and help as much as possible. In no case will you be charged if we can't get the program working.

Arranger's Tool Composition Software $39

To order Arranger's Tool for download with Mastercard or Visa click on Add to Basket.

To order by phone with Mastercard or Visa , call toll free 866 857 6734,