Frequently Asked Questions

📱About OtoTheory

What is OtoTheory?

OtoTheory is a chord progression builder for musicians who want to write songs without deep music theory knowledge. Create progressions with 15 real-time groove patterns (Straight, Bounce, Shuffle, Drive, Chill, and more), get AI-powered chord suggestions from OtoTheory AI, visualize scales on guitar/bass fretboard and keyboard, and export MIDI/audio to your DAW. Available on Web (free) and iOS (Free / Pro).

Do I need music theory knowledge to use OtoTheory?

No. Choose a genre from Quick Start presets and start building right away. OtoTheory AI suggests theory-correct chord options for your next chord. You'll naturally pick up music theory concepts as you create — that's our philosophy: "Use Theory Without Tears."

What makes OtoTheory different from other chord progression tools?

OtoTheory's key differentiator is "build while you listen." Play your progression with 15 real-time grooves while editing — like a DJ experience for songwriting. It also features guitar, bass, and keyboard visualization with color-coded scale and chord tones, section management (Verse/Chorus/Bridge), split bars for complex rhythms, and multi-track MIDI/audio export. Unlike browser-only tools, OtoTheory's iOS app works offline and integrates with your creative workflow.

What instruments does OtoTheory support?

Guitar, bass, and keyboard. The fretboard view displays scale tones and chord tones with color-coded visualization across 15 frets, with support for capo positions. The keyboard view provides the same visualization on a piano layout.

🎵Features & Usage

What are grooves and how do they work?

Grooves are rhythm patterns that play your chord progression in real-time. Choose from 15+ patterns including Straight, Bounce, Strum, Shuffle, Drive, Chill, Pulse, and Wave. You can switch grooves during playback to instantly change the feel of your progression — no need to stop and restart.

What is OtoTheory AI?

OtoTheory AI is OtoTheory's AI-powered chord suggestion feature. It analyzes your current progression and suggests what chord to place next, organized into three categories: Bridge (passing chords), Substitute (alternative chords), and Advanced (extended harmony). Available in the iOS app.

Can I export my progressions?

Yes! Pro users can export unlimited multi-track MIDI files and audio (WAV/AAC) with chord tracks, section markers, and guide tones — ready to import into Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton, and other DAWs. Free users can export once per day by watching a short reward ad.

What is the difference between Shaped and Sounding?

Sounding shows the actual pitches you hear. Shaped shows the chord shapes you play with a capo. For example, with Capo 3, an Am shape sounds as Cm.

How is key detection performed?

OtoTheory scores how well each chord fits a given key and scale (diatonic matching), then adds bonuses for cadences (like V→I) and the first/last chord position. The result shows the best-matching key, scale, and a confidence percentage. This also powers the Key/Scale Suggestion feature, which proposes a key when you complete 4 or 8 bars.

Why use a capo?

A capo helps you: adjust vocal range, use more open strings for richer sound, and make chord shapes easier to play. Keys like C, G, D, A, and E are guitar-friendly.

Can I use OtoTheory offline?

Yes! Core features work offline. Cloud sync and account features require an internet connection.

How does OtoTheory handle scales and modes?

OtoTheory supports 8 scale types: Major (Ionian), Natural Minor (Aeolian), Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, and Mixolydian. In OtoTheory, modes are presented simply as "scales" to keep things intuitive — no confusing terminology. Select a key and scale in the Chord Progression builder or Find Chords tool, and the fretboard instantly highlights every note in that scale with color-coded degree numbers.

What are diatonic chords and where can I see them?

Diatonic chords are the chords that naturally belong to a given key and scale. In OtoTheory, select a key and scale in the Find Chords tool to instantly see all seven diatonic chords (I through VII) with Roman numeral labels. Capo transpositions are shown automatically. In the Chord Progression builder, hit "Analyze" and the diatonic chord table appears below your progression — helping you understand which chords fit your key.

What is a Sketch?

A Sketch is a saved chord progression in OtoTheory. On the Web version, it stores your chords, key, scale, capo, and fretboard display — up to 3 sketches saved in your browser (localStorage). On the iOS app, it also stores tempo (BPM), groove pattern, and section structure. Free iOS users can save up to 3 sketches locally; Pro users get unlimited saves with iCloud sync across devices.

💰Pricing & Plans

What is the difference between the Free and Pro versions?

Free (Web & iOS): All core features including AI chord import, 50+ presets, 15 groove patterns, all chords (tensions, slash chords), OtoTheory AI (all modes), section management, fretboard visualization, key/scale detection, 3 local saves, and text export. Pro (iOS, pricing varies by region): MIDI/audio export (3 modes, unlimited), unlimited saves + iCloud sync, and ad-free experience.
See full pricing details →

What does the 7-day free trial include?

All Pro features are available during the 7-day free trial, including unlimited saves and iCloud sync. If you cancel before the trial ends, you won't be charged.

What is the difference between the Web version and the iOS app?

The Web version is a free lite version with basic chord progression building, key analysis, and fretboard display. The iOS app adds real-time groove playback with 15 patterns, OtoTheory AI, section management, MIDI/audio export (Pro: unlimited; free users can export once per day via a reward ad), cloud saves, and the full library of 50+ chord progression presets. Think of the Web version as a preview — the iOS app is the full experience.
View OtoTheory on the App Store ↗

🔧Account & Support

How do I cancel my subscription?

Go to Apple ID > Subscriptions > OtoTheory and cancel from there. Your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing period.

How do I delete my account?

In the app, go to Settings > Delete Account. Your account and all cloud data will be permanently deleted within 30 days.

How long is my data retained?

Sketches are kept until you delete your account; cloud data is purged within 30 days after account deletion. Usage logs and diagnostic data are kept for 90 days and then deleted or anonymized. For details, see our Privacy Policy.

How do I contact support?

Email us at support@ototheory.com. We typically respond within 2 business days.

Try the full experience on iOS

Unlimited MIDI/audio export, unlimited saves + iCloud sync, ad-free

Download on the App Store

Still have questions?