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Chord Track generates a chord progression from your song and displays it in sync with the music. Use it to learn a song, prepare for rehearsal, or analyze harmonic structure — all without leaving the Studio.

What chord track does

  • Detects and generates chords from your audio automatically
  • Syncs chords to the music so they change at the right moment
  • Displays chords in Inline mode (above the lyrics) or Grid mode (as a chart)
  • Supports multiple notation styles: Pop, Jazz, Nashville, and Maj/Min
  • Lets you transpose chords up or down by semitone
  • Lets you apply a virtual capo position for guitar-oriented practice

Enable chord track

1

Open your project in the Studio

Navigate to online.youka.io and open the project you want to study.
2

Open the Layout panel

In the Studio sidebar, click Layout.
3

Set Layout Type to Chords

In the Layout Type selector, choose Chords. The layout switches to chord track view.

Generate chords

1

Click Generate Chords

In the Chord Track card, click Generate Chords. Youka analyzes your audio and detects the chord progression.
2

Wait for processing

Generation time depends on song length and current queue load. A progress indicator shows when it is complete.
3

Confirm the detected key

After generation, the panel shows the detected song key. Verify it looks correct before continuing.

Configure chord display

Once chords are generated, tune the view to match your practice style.

Display mode

Chords appear directly above the lyrics at the moment they change. Use this mode when you want to see chord and lyric phrasing together — ideal for following the song as you play.

Notation style

Choose the chord naming convention that matches how you learned to read chords:
StyleExample
PopC, Am, F, G
JazzCmaj7, Am7, Fmaj7, G7
Nashville1, 6m, 4, 5
Maj/MinC major, A minor, F major, G major
Each style also has a complexity variant — Complex, Simple, or Basic — so you can simplify chord names when you are just getting started with a song.

Transpose

Shift every chord up or down by semitones to find a key that suits your instrument or vocal range:
  • Positive values (e.g., +2) shift chords higher.
  • Negative values (e.g., -3) shift chords lower.
  • Use the Transpose control in the Layout panel.

Capo

Apply a virtual capo position for guitar players who want to use open chord shapes:
  • Set the Capo value in the Layout panel to the fret number.
  • Chords update to show the shapes you would play with that capo in place.
Use Transpose and Capo together to find the version of a song that uses the simplest possible chord shapes for your skill level.

Use cases

Learning a new song

Generate chords, switch to Inline mode, and play along at reduced speed using the Speed control in the Audio panel.

Rehearsal preparation

Use Grid mode to print or memorize the full progression before a practice session.

Harmonic analysis

Switch to Nashville notation to understand chord function and how the progression relates to the key.

Transposing to another key

Use the Transpose control to shift the song to a key that suits your instrument or voice without re-generating chords.

Suggested practice routine

1

Play through the full song once

Identify the sections where chord changes are challenging or unfamiliar.
2

Slow down and repeat hard sections

Use the Speed control in the Audio panel to reduce playback speed for those sections only.
3

Try 2–3 transpose values

Experiment with the Transpose control to find the key where the chord shapes feel most comfortable.
4

Run through from start to finish

Once you’re comfortable with individual sections, play the full song at normal speed without stopping.

Tips

  • Start with a Simple or Basic notation variant if the chord names feel overwhelming.
  • Switch between Inline and Grid as you progress — Grid for memorizing structure, Inline for playing along.
  • If the detected key looks wrong, check whether the song uses a non-standard tuning or key signature. You can use Transpose to correct it manually.
  • After changing arrangement settings, revisit the generated chords to make sure they still align correctly.

Layout options

Overview of all layout modes available in the Studio

Audio mix

Adjust speed, pitch, and vocal/instrumental balance

Studio overview

Complete guide to the Studio editor

Versions

Save multiple variations of your project, each with its own settings