Musicord 2002 README FILE (program for the pc type computer)

rpsoft_2000

Thank you for acquiring rpsoft_2000's Musicord program!


Basic Help

Note that some instructions are available on the program itself using the "Help" 
button.

LOADING THE PROGRAM

The program file will be provided as a single zip file.  It would be best to 
store a copy of the downloaded file in a second place in case a second computer 
load is needed. 

If the file name ends in ".exe" then the file is self extracting, and one just 
needs to run and execute the file.  If the original downloaded file ends in 
".zip" then one must unzip the file.  If you are not sure if you have a program 
that unzips files or not try starting a file program such as that one available 
under "My computer" and double click on the downloaded file name. Many programs 
will associate with file endings and such a program may automatically start when 
you click on it.  If you have no program to unzip files, please accept our 
apologies, however this is still fixable with a little more work.  A zip / unzip 
utility can prove useful since many people use that property. Such a file can be 
obtained from winzip at http://www.winzip.com on the net or from many download 
sites. Therefore, one should not be lost, but would unfortunately have another 
step to take.  Winzip at times has had an exploratory version.

During the program setup of course it is best as always to exit all other 
programs and then respond to the questions asked during setup. Answer YES if 
asked if it is okay to write over Windows temporary files. You will be asked 
where to store the program in the computer and what group to place the startup 
icon in. Of course one should remember these locations for starting the program 
later. Important - if System file changes are needed, the file may prompt and a 
computer restart may be needed.  If this happens or if the program does not load 
the first time, execute it a second time.  A system file update or another 
program operating in the background can potentially stop a load.  In extreme 
cases, restart your computer before trying the load again afterwards to ensure 
all others programs are not running.  Our apologies for any inconvenience during 
load.

If not changed during load, the program files will be stored under C:\Program 
Files\(program name). Program start will be under Programs under the start key 
(computer left bottom) and will be located under rpsoft_2000\(program name).


STARTING THE PROGRAM 

To begin the program, go to the windows start button on the lower left of the 
computer screen and click it.  Put your mouse on "programs" and a list of 
programs and program file locations will show.  Move the mouse rightward and up 
and down as necessary to find the location where the program startup is stored. 
This should be the same location as indicated during the program load.  If you 
have not modified the load location, the program should be under the program 
name or under rpsoft_2000.  Click the program icon to start the load.

MORE ICONS 

If you wish an icon on the computer screen for this program startup, locate the 
program as indicated above and then right mouse click on the program and select 
"Create Shortcut".  After the copy is created, use your mouse to drag (hold down 
the left mouse button) this startup copy onto your screen with your mouse.   
Note that once you have an icon startup on the desktop, that you can also if you 
wish simply drag that icon to the lower left of the computer screen icons for 
fast program startup later with a single click.  Note also, that right clicking 
on icons also will allow one to rename them, among other things.


General Program Usage

Directions are under "help" (the help button on the upper left).  In order to 
find the chord from notes, notes can be entered one at a time with your mouse on 
the piano or guitar fretboard.  If the program recognizes the chord, it will 
display it and any alternatives that it also finds.

To determine notes from the chord - first enter a base note for the chord by 
pressing one piano key or one guitar location.  For example, for C Major, one 
must enter the "C" this way using the piano or the guitar.  Then press the 
button ("major" in this example) for the right chord from the chord buttons on 
the right.  The data area should display the notes associated with the chord.  
Also, the piano and guitar fingering will be shown also.

Note that if there are options on fingerings for piano or guitar positions, that 
the expected primary items to press down will be shown in dark gray, with 
alternatives in lighter gray.  One would always harmonize with the chord by 
pressing down just the dark areas. However, one might find a simpler fingering, 
or a more desirable one from tone by substituting some of lighter gray 
fingerings.  It is always a good idea, however, if possible, to use all of the 
notes in the chord to get the full sound of that chord.

Other guitar fingerings

Note that guitar options allow one to move the fingerings down the guitar neck.  
Approximately 4 frets are looked at one time, as one moves down the neck with 
the options.  Using this technique, one certainly may find a simpler fingering 
than the first one offered.  To use this option, use either the arrows around 
the option box - or use the pull down menu to select an option directly.  The 
pull down menu on the option box is operated by the arrow on the right of the 
option box.

Guitar fingerings where there is no chord

If you wish to find guitar fingering for a series of notes which are not one of 
the 28 chords recognized, one can still do that.  Just enter the notes desired 
on the piano keyboard or by pressing fingering areas on the guitar.  The guitar 
fingering will show those notes, whether they lead to a recognized chord or not.

Tips-on option

The tips-on key option (left upper area) refers to tips that show below the 
mouse pointer when pointing to certain areas.  While these tips are meant to be 
a feature, for an experienced user they may simply become distracting.  The 
tips-on button can turn this feature off.  It of course can be turned on again 
later.

Exiting the program

This program is kept so simple, it does not even have an exit button, or an exit 
in a pull down menu.  Simply click the "x" symbol in the very upper right hand 
corner to exit.  This technique by the way is another normal windows means of 
exiting a program.   Code associated with this exit will end the program 
properly.


SUPPORT / MORE INFO

Support and more info is provided at rpsoft 2000's website.  This site is at:

www.rpsoft2000.com