The Searching page appears in the Library Options property window. It also appears in various areas of Default Options, and optionally in the New Library process.
In addition to the controls shown below, there are extra buttons which are common to all property windows.
It defines a series of parameters which affect the way that ChordWizard searches for chordshapes in Design View.
Any chordshapes in the Library List which do not meet these settings will also be indicated with a red question mark (?).
These settings vary significantly between different playing levels, and allow you to control the degree of difficulty of the chordshapes that you want to work with.
Controls
Chordshape Fingers
This dropdown list specifies the maximum number of fingers you wish to use for making chordshapes.
Usually this is Up to 4 Fingers, but you could also set it to Up to 5 Fingers (to include the thumb) or Upto 3 Fingers and below (for easier chordshapes).
Span
This dropdown list specifies the maximum fret span across the chordshape, in other words, how far your fingers have to stretch to make the chordshape.
The fret span is inclusive of all fretted strings on the chordshape and ignores open or mute strings.
So for example, on guitar in standard tuning, the chordshapes x32010, 577655 and 075707 all have a fret Span of 3 and the chordshape 022000 has a fret Span of 1.
String Bridging
Specifies whether string bridging can be used to play chordshapes. This where a finger holds down more than one string, such as with barre chordshapes.
Forefinger, Downward - permits only the forefinger to bridge strings, provided it can be pressed against the fretboard all the way down (to the treble string).
All Fingers, Downward - permits any or all fingers to bridge strings, provided they can be pressed against the fretboard all the way down.
All Fingers, Anywhere - permits any or all fingers to bridge strings, even if they cannot be pressed against the fretboard all the way down. Generally you need to have double-jointed knuckles to achieve this (some people do!).
Display Bridging
You can control how string bridging is displayed, separately from whether it is permitted or not.
You can often play the same chordshape with or without bridging. For example, the chordshape x00222 for guitar in standard tuning can be played with three fingers, one on each string, or with a single finger bridging across all three strings at the second fret.
(none) - No bridging is displayed, even if it is required. At fret positions within a chordshape are shown as individual dots.
Where Necessary - Bridging is only displayed where necessary for a chordshape to be formed. This is the recommended option.
Where Possible - Bridging is displayed for a chordshape wherever possible, even if it could still be made without using bridging.
Mute Strings
Specifies how many mute strings (those not played, indicated with x in tablature notation) you can tolerate in your chordshapes.
Too many mute strings can make a chordshape difficult to play and sound empty, but usually one or two is acceptable, depending on the number of instrument strings.
The Automatic option will select the maximum number of mute strings for you, depending on the total number of strings. These are:
3 Strings - No Mutes
4 or 5 Strings - 1 Mute
6 Strings - 2 Mutes
7 or 8 Strings - 3 Mutes
If you remove the tick from the Automatic option, you can select the maximum number of mute strings manually.
Must be Together
This specifies whether mute strings must appear together if they appear at all. Ticking this generally makes chordshapes easier to play.
Outer Strings Only
This specifies whether mute strings must appear on the outer strings of the instrument if they appear at all. This generally makes chordshapes easier to play.
Movable Chordshapes Only
Specifies whether chordshapes must be movable (with no open strings).
Movable chordshapes are good value, because for each one you learn, there is a series of chordshapes that can be produced by moving it along the fretboard.
ChordWizard automatically offers to add or delete a movable series chordshapes at once.
Ignore Existing Chordshapes
Specifies whether ChordWizard ignores chordshapes which are already stored in the library for all search operations in Design View and in the Search List.
This is generally recommended, so you don't waste time finding chordshapes that you have already discovered and stored.
Reset
Resets the Searching settings back to those that are defined in Default Options. You will first need to select the playing level to reset to, since there is a separate set of Searching settings for each playing level within Default Options.
See Also
