# ChordMaps2 — Explore Chord Progressions

> iPad music app for exploring chord progressions, melodies, and bass lines. (iPhone/iPad app by Malcolm Mugglin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordmaps2/id1098330720 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Malcolm Mugglin](https://appshunter.io/developer/533859939)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $9.99
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 25 App Store ratings · 28 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 9 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-04-25
- Data updated: 2026-07-03
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordmaps2/id1098330720/reviews.md

## What is ChordMaps2?

ChordMaps2 is a music app for iPad which allows musicians, songwriters, music educators, and students to explore and improvise chord progressions, melody lines, and bass lines, in both major and minor keys, most of the time tapping with just one or two fingers.

The most powerful feature of ChordMaps2 is that users can explore and play common chord progressions by touching chord locations on "Musical Maps."

You can work with ChordMaps2 as a...

   Songwriter - to explore melody lines, bass lines, and chord progressions when you are away from your guitar or keyboard.

   Music Educator - to demonstrate principles of music theory, (including major and minor scales, diatonic and secondary chords, common chord progressions like IV-V-I, ii-V-I, I-vi-IV-V, I-V-vi-IV, etc.) You can also create spontaneous ear-training exercises, and explore melodic lines and chord progressions with students in an interactive environment.

   MIDI Musician - to tap out chord sequences and hear them played by one or more of the synth apps on your iPad, or you can send the MIDI information out through a MIDI interface to a computer running a digital audio workstation (DAW) like GarageBand or Logic Pro.

How ChordMaps2 Works...

ChordMaps2 is a MIDI controller. It works by being paired with a synthesizer app that generates sound. (Example synth apps include ThumbJam, SampleTank, bs-16i, iM1, and many more.) ChordMaps2 sends the MIDI signal; the synth app responds to the MIDI information and creates the audio.

Video demonstrations of ChordMaps2 are found at the website. (Click the Developer Website link or visit Mugglinworks.com/ChordMaps2).

## Key features

- Explore chord progressions on Musical Maps
- Improvise melody and bass lines
- Supports major and minor keys
- MIDI controller functionality
- Demonstrate music theory concepts
- Create ear-training exercises

## Recent user reviews (10 of 28)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordmaps2/id1098330720/reviews.md

### 5/5 — I love this MIDI app!!

*2025-09-01, version 1.40*

This app has been extremely useful to my songwriting. The developer is super friendly and responsive to any questions I’ve had.  He even implemented a feature request I made in a very short period of time. To think that after 10 years this app is still being updated with new and interesting features!

### 3/5 — Does not work

*2024-12-24, version 1.40*

Does not work with SampleTank any more on my iPad Pro M1 or Korg module

### 5/5 — A revelation

*2024-12-22*

I have been using this app for three years and I am still blown away by how powerful and enlightening the interface and layout is for arranging and writing

### 5/5 — The App of my DREAMS!!

*2022-11-08, version 1.20*

I was a professional music producer for 10 years, and if i had discovered this app THEN…

I literally don’t have to worry about my fingers’ ability to play what my mind is creating.

This is hands down, the single greatest VSTi, ever…and nobody knows it.

- J.Troup

### 5/5 — Very clever app, please update.

*2022-08-02, version 1.20*

Whether you are a trained musician, or a sonic dabbler with no formal knowledge, this app can help. It looks complex, and is, but getting something from it is just a finger tap away. The app does so much work in the background, it’s almost impossible to make a mess. The only thing missing is midi in, and many month later it’s still missing. Now that Scaler 2 and Progressions are here this app needs updating with new features.

### 4/5 — Pretty please.

*2022-02-01, version 1.20*

Very impressive app that desperately needs AUv3.

### 5/5 — Please Malcolm!

*2021-03-24, version 1.19*

Hi Malcolm, please make Chordmaps an AUV3 app, I implore  you, its such a brilliant bit of kit, its crying out for an AUV3 version, I also understand its a lot of work but the IOS community will thank you for it!

### 5/5 — Great concept and utility but

*2020-12-30, version 1.16*

Update: It’s working again. Thank you for the response.  I changed my star rating to 5 stars.

It stopped working... I can hear any sounds from it (Dec 2020, iOS 14.3).

### 5/5 — An irreplaceable part of my workflow

*2020-07-03, version 1.12*

It offers inspiration and a creative way to not only explore chords but serves as an amazing performance device through it MIDI support.  I use it virtually every day!

### 5/5 — Amazing!

*2020-06-26*

This app inspires the creation of unique chord progressions and transitions. Tons of fun and very useful!

## Frequently asked questions about ChordMaps2

### What does ChordMaps2 do?

ChordMaps2 is a music application for iPad that enables users to explore and improvise chord progressions, melody lines, and bass lines in both major and minor keys. It uses an intuitive "Musical Maps" interface for easy chord selection and can act as a MIDI controller.

### What are the key features of ChordMaps2?

Key features include exploring common chord progressions via "Musical Maps," improvising melody and bass lines, supporting major and minor keys, and functioning as a MIDI controller. It's also useful for demonstrating music theory concepts and creating ear-training exercises.

### How much does ChordMaps2 cost?

ChordMaps2 is a paid application. The provided information indicates it does not have in-app purchases or ads, suggesting a one-time purchase price for the full functionality.

### What devices is ChordMaps2 compatible with?

ChordMaps2 is specifically designed for iPad. It requires pairing with a synthesizer app that generates sound, as ChordMaps2 itself acts as a MIDI controller sending signals to these other apps.

### Who would benefit from using ChordMaps2?

This app is beneficial for songwriters looking for inspiration away from their instruments, music educators teaching music theory and improvisation, and MIDI musicians who want to tap out chord sequences and send them to other synth apps on their iPad.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.40 — 2024-12-15

This update adds the ability to quickly ZOOM in and out of the ChordMap Region, making it easier to play chord progressions. (When zooming in while in Portrait mode, part of the bass keyboard is visible. When zooming in while in Landscape mode, the replay areas to the right of the ChordMap Region are visible.) 

On the Info screen, the internal values for minimum and maximum MIDI note velocities (which were preset before) can now be adjusted. Also, for demonstration purposes, adding blue circles on screen to indicate finger touches is an option.

### 1.30 — 2023-01-26

This update adds a new option—"Editable Chords and Progressions."

Now you can create your own collections of chords and choose exactly which notes you would like to use in each chord. This also allows you to create the voice leading you are looking for as you move from chord to chord.

Each "Page" you create can hold up to 45 different chords. There are 32 pages available. (Pages can also be saved to the Files folder and loaded back later, so you are not limited to 32 pages. You can design as many as you like.)

IMPORTANT: Please download the pdf called "UnderstandingTheChordMaps2Screen." You can find this pdf at the Developer Website link or by visiting ChordMaps2.com. (The explanation for "Editable Chords and Progressions" begins on Page 10.)

### 1.20 — 2021-11-17

Updated to work correctly on the new iPad mini (6th generation).

### 1.19 — 2021-02-27

Fixed a settings issue which kept updates from opening on some devices.

Also behind the scenes - the arpeggio feature is more energy efficient.

### 1.18 — 2021-02-20

Found a bug which may have kept the app from opening on some devices after the 1.17 update.

--------------------

The 1.17 update added a basic arpeggiator -- (1) Set the Tempo. (2) Select 4/4 or 3/4. (3) Select the MIDI channel - "B&C" for the bass and chord channels or "ARP" for the Arpeggio Sound channel  (4) Choose B for a bass note pattern, C for a chord note pattern, BC1 or BC2 for patterns that use both bass and chord notes. (5) Select a pattern (1 to 24). Enable "PLAY ARP." The next chord location touched will play as an arpeggio. (The pattern can be changed to another pattern while the arpeggio is playing.)
 
Also fixed a strumming situation (sliding sideways on two strings at the same time was causing notes to be triggered again).

Playing Suggestion: Strumming works well when the Chordmap region is set to play only the bass note, and the strum area is used to strum or fingerpick the chord notes. First, the left hand touches the chord location, triggering the bass note. Then the right hand answers by tapping or sliding on the strum area.

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## More apps by Malcolm Mugglin

- [ChordMapMidi](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordmapmidi/id533859936)
- [CarolPlayMidi](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carolplaymidi/id1447164269)
- [DrumMapMidi](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drummapmidi/id1455870730)
- [PowerPlay5](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/powerplay5/id1479295318)

All apps by Malcolm Mugglin: https://appshunter.io/developer/533859939

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-03.*