Tips for Using Orchid as a Music Theory Learning ToolUpdated 10 hours ago

Many users have found Orchid to be a surprisingly effective and fun tool for learning and internalizing music theory concepts.

• Learn Chord Progressions with Key Mode: By locking Orchid into a key, you can play any note on the keyboard and hear a harmonically correct chord. This is a fantastic way to train your ear and learn the feel of common progressions (like I-V-vi-IV) without getting bogged down in the specific notes.

• Understand Chord Qualities Instantly: The Chord Type buttons (Dim, Min, Maj, Sus) and Extension buttons provide immediate auditory feedback. You can instantly hear how adding a minor 7th (m7) to a Major chord creates a Dominant 7th sound, or how a Diminished chord creates tension.

• Visualize Chord Structures with "Geek Out" View: Switch to the Geek Out view mode (Options > View) to see the keyboard, the chord name, and the individual notes of the chord all at once. This visual reinforcement is incredibly helpful for connecting the sound of a chord to the notes that build it.