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Features
About software features
CalAc will show you useful information for string instruments' chord analysis, especially to know about its feasibility. The software assigns the tones to the strings in order. So the first note that you press, is assigned to the 4th string; the second one is assigned to the 3th string; and so on.
The fingerboard representation
The figerboard is represented with a grey rectangle with black lines (see the image below). It is graduated on the left by halftones. Circular indicators show the tone placement at the string. The limited size of the fingerboard can show up to an octave plus a perfect fifth. If you click a tone beyond the range for the string that the software is considering, it will ignore the tone until you click one that fits in it. If you click a tone underneath the open string's frequency, the indicator will be placed out of the fingerboard. Finally, the open strings will be represented by the indicator just over the string's name.
The indicators' color code
The circular indicators may be green, black, yellow or red. Green is used for open strings, because the player not need to stop that tone. Black is used for the tones in normal playing situation. Yellow ones are used to represent situations that can carry tuning difficulties. Red is reserved for imposible or very difficult fingers distribution.
Distance data
After discarding tones out of range and open strings, CalAc will calculate the total distance to be covered by the player's fingers (index to little fingers) in halftones, and will show it with a slider. This information is very useful for chord's feasibility evaluation.
For more information about orchestral string's chords you can see the spanish article "Acerca de los acordes en los instrumentos de cuerda". In english see the books by Norman del Mar (Anatomy of the orchestra) and Ertugrul Sevsay (The Cambridge guide to orchestration).
