For a time, theory was content to define the triads and seventh chords that can be built on the degrees of a given scale. But chords are way bigger nowadays...
Return to the Home page Mando ModeExplorer for mandolin magnaChops ModeExplorer for guitar Click here to read about our upgrade policy ModeExplorer Expedition Outfitters - Free tools to help you reach the summit, explore the depths, discover new territories... See what's happening at Groveland Access any patches and downloads for ModeExplorers Information on scales and chords, as well as our chart catalog Send us an email for support, product questions, or music theory help for ModeExplorer users Frequently asked questions To get more out of the ModeExplorers Tips on how to play mandolin Tips on how to play 10-string, fifths-tuned cittern For a time, theory was content to define the triads and seventh chords that can be built on the degrees of a given scale. But chords are way bigger nowadays... 'So what scales should I play over these chords?' Well, maybe that's really not the right question, considering that in reality, 'the Scale IS the Chord, and the Chord IS the Scale'. Read why...
 
ModeExplorer FAQ:
 
Q: Is an internet connection required in order for the ModeExplorer to work?

A: No, an internet connection is not required.

The ModeExplorer is a 'smart client' application that accesses the internet to expand its harmonic and scalar information. The ModeExplorer has a vast amount of music theory information built in.

When it detects an internet connection, the ModeExplorer automatically accesses the ModeExplorer Web Services, providing additional scales. Because the ModeExplorer figures all the chords for the scales on-the-fly, you get all the chords for the scales, too. The Calculator benefits from this information, too. The ModeExplorer also gains access to the Chart Exchange, which features a catalog of chord progressions.



 
Q: What operating systems will the ModeExplorer run on?

A: The ModeExplorer is recommended for Windows 2000 or Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server (or whatever's more recent).

The ModeExplorer may successfully run on other older Windows operating systems that have the .NET Framework installed, with varying degrees of success. However, these older operating systems are not recommended, nor are they supported.



 
Q: The chord naming conventions that the ModeExplorer uses are a little foreign to me. Where did these come from?

A: The ModeExplorer adopted chord naming conventions used by the most widely-used jazz fake books in order to communicate to the largest audience. By the same token, the chord definitions themselves are modelled after the definitions in these publications.



 
Q: What is the Microsoft .NET Framework?

A: The .NET Framework is an integral Windows component that supports building and running the next generation of applications and XML Web services.

The ModeExplorer is built upon the .NET Framework. What this means is that the ModeExplorer takes advantage of the latest Microsoft .NET technologies to tap into its musical database and present that knowledge to you.



 
Q: What is .NET?

A: Microsoft .NET is software for connecting information, people, systems and devices. .NET provides XML-based interoperability and is being incorporated across Microsoft’s clients, servers, services and tools.



 
Q: I want the Mando ModeExplorer, but I don't want .NET 2.0. What can I do?

A: The Mando ModeExplorer for .NET 1.1 is still available. Contact us for details.



 
Q: Where do I get the .NET Framework 2.0 for the MandoModeExplorer 2.0?

A: Here, free, from Microsoft.



 
Q: Where do I get the .NET Framework 1.1 for the MandoModeExplorer 1.0x?

A: Here, free, from Microsoft.



Q: I have installed the .NET 2.0 release on my machine, and the Mando ModeExplorer 1.0x no longer works, saying that ".NET Framework version 1.1.4322" is required. What do I do?

A: There are some great solutions for this.

All Microsoft's .NET frameworks peacefully coexist on one machine. This means you don't need to remove the .NET 1.1 framework to install .NET 2.0. If you have removed .NET 1.1, you may acquire it free from Microsoft.

Licensed Mando ModeExplorer 1.0x users may consider requesting a .NET 2.0 version of the Mando ModeExplorer for download. Contact us for details.



 
Q: I have installed the .NET 2.0 release on my machine, and the magnachops ModeExplorer 1.0x no longer works, saying that ".NET Framework version 1.1.4322" is required. What do I do?

A: The magnachops ModeExplorer 1.0x requires .NET 1.1 to be installed.

All Microsoft's .NET frameworks peacefully coexist on one machine. This means you don't need to remove the .NET 1.1 framework to install .NET 2.0. If you have removed .NET 1.1, you may acquire it free from Microsoft.



 
 
 


The following FAQs apply to older versions of the ModeExplorer and not to current versions:
 
Q: In the Mando ModeExplorer, when I select a scale, there are markers missing in the lower frets on the 'A' string. Why is this?

A: This is a known bug in some older versions of Mando ModeExplorer.

A cumulative update covers this, available on our Patches and Updates page.

If you are a licensed user of the Mando ModeExplorer and are getting this error, contact us for for upgrade options.



 
Q: In the Mando ModeExplorer, when I select 'Bb' as my Tonic, scales and chords display for 'A'. Why?

A: This is a known bug in some older versions of Mando ModeExplorer.

As a workaround, you can use the enharmonic equivalent 'A#'. A cumulative update covers this, available on our Patches and Updates page. All other tonics work as designed.

If you are a licensed user of the Mando ModeExplorer and are getting this error, contact us for for upgrade options.



 
Q: In the Mando ModeExplorer's Chord Calculator, when I select a Cma chord, the C Major Petatonic scale is not listed as an option. However, an "A Pentatonic" scale is listed. Why is this?

A: This is a known bug in some versions of Mando ModeExplorer.

A cumulative update covers this, available on our Patches and Updates page.

If you are a licensed user of the Mando ModeExplorer and are getting this error, contact us for for upgrade options.



 
Q: The ModeExplorer Help says "...click once on the 'Scale Intervals: w-w-h-w-w-w-h' node... and the ModeExplorer plays one octave of the Major Scale for you to demonstrate its sound." Clicking once does not seem to play the scale for me. Why?

A: There is an error in older versions of the Help file.

To play the scale, Right-click on the "Scale Intervals: w-w-h-w-w-w-h" node and look for the "Play Scale" popup menu. Click on "Play Scale" and the scale will play.



 
Q: The Help file says that the ModeExplorer has 32 chord types, but it seems there are many more. Why is this?

A: The Help file is in error. There are actually 57 different chord types supported by the ModeExplorer.



 
Q: The Help file says, "You can tell if a connection has not been made to the web service when the appears." What does this mean?

A: The Help file is in error.

The easiest way to tell if the ModeExplorer is connected to the internet is by checking for the existence of the "Chart Exchange," which will be found as the last node of the ModeExplorer tree. The Chart Exchange is only available with an internet connection.

If you are a licensed user of the Mando ModeExplorer and seeing this typo, contact us for for upgrade options.





Copyright ©2002-2008 by Groveland Software Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
 
 
P.O.Box 262, Wayzata, MN 55391Copyright ©2002-2008 by Groveland Software Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.5/16/2008 8:38:46 AM