Chord Groove

How to Use Chord Groove

Chord Groove helps you create chord progressions, build strumming grooves, and practise them with smooth BPM-based playback.

The app is built around three main tabs: Chords, Grooves, and Play.

Getting Started

A simple way to get started is to generate a chord progression first, create a groove or two, and select them to play on the Play screen.

  1. The app will open on the Chords tab.
  2. Select your key, mode, and chord count.
  3. Tap Gen to create a progression.
  4. Tap Add and then tap the name of the added chord progression to select it.
  5. Open the Grooves tab and create a strumming pattern. Select it the same way.
  6. Open the Play tab to practise with playback.

Creating Chord Progressions

Choose your harmony

Use the Chords tab to choose a root note, select a mode, and decide how many chords you want in your progression.

Select Major, Minor or Custom. Major and Minor will generate chords based on the selected key and mode, while Custom mode allows you to choose specific chords for each slot.

Select the mode you want to generate chords in, or choose Custom to build your own progression. The mode determines the scale and chord types used in the generated progression. For example, C Major Ionian will generate chords based on the C major scale, while A Minor Aolian will generate chords based on the A minor scale.

  1. Tap Gen to generate a new chord progression.
  2. Tap Add to save it.
  3. You can change the chords after generation and tap Upd to save them.
  4. Tap Info to view details about the chord progression.
  5. Tap the Name of the added chord progression to select it.
  6. Open the Grooves tab and create a strumming pattern. Select it the same way.
  7. Open the Play tab to practise with playback.
Chord Groove Chords screen showing key, mode, chord count, and generated chord progression

You can generate multiple progressions in the same key and mode until you find one that feels right, or update existing ones. Save your favourites so they are available on the Play screen. Select one to play by tapping its name.

Tip: Start with 4 chords in C Major Ionian or A Minor Aolian for an easy practice loop.

Using Custom Chords

Build your own progression

If you already have a sound in mind, use the custom chord option to manually choose the chords in your progression instead of generating them automatically.

  • Select Custom by tapping the mode button.
  • Choose specific chords for each slot.
  • Mix major, minor, or diminished chords.
  • Create progressions that match your own song ideas.

Building Grooves

Create a strumming pattern

Use the Grooves tab to design your own strumming rhythm. Grooves are reusable, so you can save common patterns and try them across different chord progressions.

You can select up to two grooves to play at the same time, so try layering a simple one with a busier pattern for more complex rhythms.

Chord Groove Grooves screen showing a reusable strumming pattern
  • Add downstrokes and upstrokes.
  • Use pauses or mutes (x) to create space.
  • Save your favourite grooves for later practice.
Tip: Create one simple groove for slow practice, then make a busier version when you want the progression to feel more energetic.

Playback & BPM

Select a saved chord progression and up to two grooves, then move to the Play screen. Slide the BPM to match your practice tempo, and hit Play to start.

  • On the Chords screen, Select a saved chord progression by tapping its name.
  • On the Grooves screen, Select one or two grooves.
  • The Play screen will display the selected chords and grooves.
Chord Groove Play screen showing selected chords, selected groove, active chord highlighting, and BPM control
  • Slow BPM is best for learning chord changes.
  • Medium BPM is good for timing and rhythm practice.
  • Fast BPM is useful once you are comfortable with the groove.

During playback, the active chord is highlighted so you can follow the progression while you practise.

Practice Ideas

Chord Groove can be used for timing practice, songwriting, warm-ups, and exploring how different grooves change the feel of the same progression.

  1. Choose a simple saved progression.
  2. Start with a slow BPM.
  3. Play along until the chord changes feel natural.
  4. Increase the BPM slightly when you are comfortable.
  5. Start with one groove over the same progression, then add a second.

Troubleshooting

Playback feels too fast

Lower the BPM and practise slowly before increasing the speed again.

The groove does not feel right

Go back to the Grooves tab and check the strumming pattern. Try simplifying the groove first, then add more movement once it feels steady.

I cannot find my progression or groove

Make sure you saved it before leaving the Chords or Grooves tab.

Audio playback stalls or behaves strangely

Stop playback and try again. If the issue continues, close and reopen the app.

Quick Tips

  • Use simple 3 or 4 chord progressions when learning.
  • Save your favourite progressions so you can practise them again later.
  • Try the same groove over different chord progressions.
  • Try the same progression with different grooves to change the feel.
  • Use slower BPM settings to improve timing and chord changes.