---

title: Tonal Functions

layout: ../../layouts/MainLayout.astro

---

import { MiniRepl } from '../../docs/MiniRepl';

import { JsDoc } from '../../docs/JsDoc';

# Tonal Functions

These functions use [tonaljs](https://github.com/tonaljs/tonal) to provide helpers for musical operations.

### voicing()

<JsDoc client:idle name="voicing" h={0} />

Here's an example of how you can play chords and a bassline:

<MiniRepl

  client:idle

  tune={`chord("<C^7 A7b13 Dm7 G7>*2")

  .dict('ireal').layer(

  x=>x.struct("[~ x]*2").voicing()

  ,

  x=>n("0*4").set(x).mode("root:g2").voicing()

  .s('sawtooth').cutoff("800:4:2")

)`}

/>

### scale(name)

<JsDoc client:idle name="scale" h={0} />

### transpose(semitones)

Transposes all notes to the given number of semitones:

<MiniRepl client:only="react" tune={`"[c2 c3]*4".transpose("<0 -2 5 3>").note()`} />

This method gets really exciting when we use it with a pattern as above.

Instead of numbers, scientific interval notation can be used as well:

<MiniRepl client:only="react" tune={`"[c2 c3]*4".transpose("<1P -2M 4P 3m>").note()`} />

### scaleTranspose(steps)

Transposes notes inside the scale by the number of steps:

<MiniRepl

  client:idle

  tune={`"[-8 [2,4,6]]*2"

.scale('C4 bebop major')

.scaleTranspose("<0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -4>*2")

.note()`}

/>

### rootNotes(octave = 2)

Turns chord symbols into root notes of chords in given octave.

<MiniRepl client:only="react" tune={`"<C^7 A7b13 Dm7 G7>*2".rootNotes(3).note()`} />

Together with layer, struct and voicings, this can be used to create a basic backing track:

<MiniRepl

  client:idle

  tune={`"<C^7 A7b13 Dm7 G7>*2".layer(

  x => x.voicings('lefthand').struct("[~ x]*2").note(),

  x => x.rootNotes(2).note().s('sawtooth').cutoff(800)

)`}

/>