> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guide.tonaly.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guide.tonaly.app/songwriting/how-to-compose.md). # How to compose In this guide, I'll walk you through the workflow of composing with the app. This is just one approach, so don't worry if your workflow looks different... ### ▶️ Video tutorial {% embed url="" %} ### ### ▶️ The interface Let us have a look at the interface first. The app highlights the key, which **consists of seven chords**: three major, three minor, and one diminished chord. These chords will sound great together. **A good base for your song!** ![](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNEuA7k5ZUO0kGEEF8%2F-LzNUCKWDfJqtGMjBCyq%2FScreen_1.jpg?alt=media\&token=ae2ebc51-ce85-49af-a8bb-84a76275ce29) ### ▶️ Find chords It is one possible way to find chords by **tapping different chords in the wheel until you find something you like**. For example, you've found four chords you like, then assign them to a line of your song — for instance, the "Verse". ![](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNEuA7k5ZUO0kGEEF8%2F-LzNUkqtFxlcs6a8q6XX%2FScreen_2d.jpg?alt=media\&token=83fabfd9-4feb-4544-8dfc-79dac8a44a2c) ![](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNEuA7k5ZUO0kGEEF8%2F-LzNUod_nZDwm55nbB7n%2FScreen_2e.jpg?alt=media\&token=ea4e3239-6297-4f55-be05-7d64ced919a6) {% hint style="info" %} Note, this works the **other way around** too! **👉 Tap in the wheel** and assign a chord to a bar *OR* **👉 Tap in a bar** and assign a chord from the wheel {% endhint %} ### ▶️ Step out of the key It may **sound pretty awesome** to use chords that are **not in the key**! Of course, you can do that as well with the app. To do so, tap on the "Modal interchange" button. The app will immediately suggest a chord for your song. ![Step out of the key](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNEuA7k5ZUO0kGEEF8%2F-LzNVGEFllVwOwzZr4s1%2FScreen_1e.jpg?alt=media\&token=cc9e0fc6-4971-4e79-8b7c-23c07d1a3d78) ![Tap this icon to get suggestions](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNEuA7k5ZUO0kGEEF8%2F-LzNVPFqCCAaVBW5bUxK%2FScreen_3.jpg?alt=media\&token=b290867b-133c-4d09-be99-231df15c7d83) {% content-ref url="/pages/-LzCRic8-36PFCj\_EuOw" %} [Get a chord suggestion](/songwriting/edit-a-chord/get-a-chord-suggestion.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/-Lz774agQct-0jB9rtSZ" %} [Edit a chord](/songwriting/edit-a-chord.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### ▶️ Edit a chord and add optional tones (7th, 9th...) Of course, you can edit particular chords and add **optional tones**, **mute** them or select a **different bass note** for them. ![](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNEuA7k5ZUO0kGEEF8%2F-LzNVTCrsHLL-RxSF_th%2FScreen_3a.jpg?alt=media\&token=e0b12ee9-8948-43a1-a952-c9610d303912) {% content-ref url="/pages/-Lz774agQct-0jB9rtSZ" %} [Edit a chord](/songwriting/edit-a-chord.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ![](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNEuA7k5ZUO0kGEEF8%2F-LzNVwpNR_ANDbO9yOlR%2FScreen_3c.jpg?alt=media\&token=1cf751b0-055b-4578-8e07-b4030ecd014f) {% content-ref url="/pages/-LzCSrbmqvu2uRP2wteV" %} [Mute a chord](/songwriting/edit-a-chord/mute-a-chord.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ![Edit chord or bass note for the chord](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNbfGn-T1fHa04wg_b%2F-LzNc3mAlvSI-skwRb4t%2FScreen_3d.jpg?alt=media\&token=f229854b-e620-4a85-87cf-7bdc64045ac6) {% content-ref url="/pages/-LzCYrgIjafnUzHSNodc" %} [Create a slash chord](/songwriting/edit-a-chord/create-a-slash-chord.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### ▶️ Chord statistics You will have a little identifier which indicates **whether the chord you are editing is within the key** and if not, how many tones are out of the key! ![](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNEuA7k5ZUO0kGEEF8%2F-LzNWDXr1_GFL_xTRkH8%2FScreen_3b.jpg?alt=media\&token=0d3d6f3b-b76e-4c0c-9a2f-dac11380bc47) **👉** [**Read more about the indicator**](/songwriting/step-out-of-the-key.md#chord-statistics) ### ▶️ Export and save your song ![Export MIDI, PDF, save the song or adjust some settings](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNXPoX_r21RFTTDkDH%2F-LzNXR84ke9wwu55_Yig%2FScreen_1c.jpg?alt=media\&token=6e7b87ed-bf94-48bc-bfa0-a0ad613f1bff) {% content-ref url="/pages/-Lz7ZzLm7lOpT2yd2X-b" %} [MIDI](/export/midi.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/-Lz7\_0xHIfjbx9RhHzwk" %} [PDF Lead sheet](/export/pdf-leadsheet.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/-LzC2919vBBLxk2e9Zsv" %} [Save song](/songwriting/save-song.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/-LzC6RDJGYOTDj74thJT" %} [Song settings](/songwriting/song-settings.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### ▶️ Further editing If you want to **add another chord to a bar** and adjust the length of a chord, you can do this in the "chord-length editor". ![](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNXPoX_r21RFTTDkDH%2F-LzNXu_gkb0H8yZ3yGej%2FScreen_2c.jpg?alt=media\&token=65111044-66e3-4687-aaa9-97e75833113a) ![](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNXPoX_r21RFTTDkDH%2F-LzNY63YlfGaBX3qCmDJ%2FScreen_4.jpg?alt=media\&token=86544929-1f62-467b-87e0-9f39db38aa9f) {% content-ref url="/pages/-LzCTmXlxEr9SnLRQipp" %} [Add more chords to a bar](/songwriting/edit-a-chord/add-more-chords-to-a-bar.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ![](https://1678064244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lz1ifYhQe3Ixpm7YIt8%2F-LzNXPoX_r21RFTTDkDH%2F-LzNYMCbRednsNrxhdYv%2FScreen_2b.jpg?alt=media\&token=7e6520c4-858c-44ba-b9cf-bbe93811b1ca)