> 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

### ▶️ Video tutorial

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3X6lapz0OE>" %}

###

### ▶️ 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.&#x20;

These chords will sound great together. **A good base for your song!**

![](/files/-LzNUCKWDfJqtGMjBCyq)

### ▶️ 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".

![](/files/-LzNUkqtFxlcs6a8q6XX)

![](/files/-LzNUod_nZDwm55nbB7n)

{% hint style="info" %}
Note, this works the **other way around** too!&#x20;

**👉 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](/files/-LzNVGEFllVwOwzZr4s1)

![Tap this icon to get suggestions](/files/-LzNVPFqCCAaVBW5bUxK)

{% 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.

![](/files/-LzNVTCrsHLL-RxSF_th)

{% content-ref url="/pages/-Lz774agQct-0jB9rtSZ" %}
[Edit a chord](/songwriting/edit-a-chord.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

![](/files/-LzNVwpNR_ANDbO9yOlR)

{% 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](/files/-LzNc3mAlvSI-skwRb4t)

{% 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!

![](/files/-LzNWDXr1_GFL_xTRkH8)

**👉** [**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](/files/-LzNXR84ke9wwu55_Yig)

{% 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".

![](/files/-LzNXu_gkb0H8yZ3yGej)

![](/files/-LzNY63YlfGaBX3qCmDJ)

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LzCTmXlxEr9SnLRQipp" %}
[Add more chords to a bar](/songwriting/edit-a-chord/add-more-chords-to-a-bar.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

![](/files/-LzNYMCbRednsNrxhdYv)