System requirements:

• A PC with Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000 or Windows XP installed.
• A soundcard for the guitar tuner and the "Play Chord" feature.
• A guitar!
• MFC drivers, please download and install MFC drivers from www.microsoft.com if the program doesn't start. Please refer to the version history in this document for more information.
• NT4 users should install the latest servicepack.

Basic usage information:

Select a chord and look at the tab... The first number corresponds to the top string on the guitar. If it says 2, then you should place your finger on the second fret. If it says "x" then don't use that string or mute it by putting a finger on it. A "0" means that you should use that string without putting a finger on it.

A lot of chords are also displayed graphically. A light green dot means you should place a finger on the marked fret. A dark green dot means you should use that string but not place a finger on it.

Please remember that the 6th string is the top string on your guitar.

If you have made or downloaded another chordfile that you wish should be used as default then just delete or rename the old default chordfile and rename your chordfile to "default.gtr".

Basic chord editing rules:

• If you only need the first twelve frets, use the built-in editor. Otherwise, use a plain text editor like notepad.
• Never change text within [ ] or before =. The program will most likely delete your harddrive! ...Not really but GCCC will not work.
• You can change the chord descriptions A to G in the chord files. For example: You can change A to 1st, B to 2nd and so on... This will not be displayed anywhere in this version of GCCC.
• Always use a plain text editor like notepad when editing chords, or the built-in editor.
• You can have up to 200 chords for each chordbutton.
• Make up your own use for this program... I can't think of everything!

Troubleshooting:

Make sure there is a headline called [EOF] at the end of your chord file.
Cut n Paste:
---------------
[EOF]
End=1573015248
Info=The number above must exist in a custom chord file!
---------------
There must be 11 headlines ([This is a headline]) in your chord file. Typical headlines for GCCC are: [ChordFileDescription], [HeadLines], [ChordDescriptions], the chords: [ACords] - [GChords] and [EOF]. That makes 11!

This may sound hard but don't worry, if you really want to write your own chord file then it won't take long to understand. Also, if you have written a chord file, don't be afraid to send it to me so I can put it up on my website for other people to enjoy.

If GCCC won't start, please report this to bearson@hotmail.com.

Version history:

v1.0

• First release

v1.1

• Rewrote chordfile access. Should be much better now...:)
• Added support for custom chordfiles.
• Changed .ini extension to .gtr, still plain text.

v1.1 SR-1

• Optimized code for smaller program file.
• Removed most of the fancy graphics, this reduced file size ALOT!

v1.1 SR-2

• GCCC will no longer display empty chords.
• Better file verification for custom chordfiles.

v1.2

• This version includes a basic guitar tuner. Instead of the about button there is a much more useful tuner button. The tuner is very simple, it only plays the E, A, D, G, B, E notes on a piano.

v1.2a

• Changed GUI.
• Made tuner samples smaller for smaller program size.
• Optimized code somewhat...
• I really need to learn how to play the guitar!
• Now using version 1.2Beta of Nullsofts great installer.

v1.3

• Added the chord viewer.
• Using version 1.2c of Nullsofts installation system. Thanks guys/gals!

v2.0

• So much have changed that I upped to version 2.
• Changed the tuner. It can now play multiple samples at the same time. I know, it uses ALOT of memory. I think it's better though.
• Encoded tuner samples into mp3 and moved them outside the exefile.
• The tuner needs DirectX and MS Mediaplayer2, don't know the exact DX version.
• The chord viewer can now display more chords and use your custom chordfiles.
• Added the chord editor.
• Fixed some bugs that occurred when trying to open a non chordfile.
• On old Win95/98/NT4 systems where GCCC won't run, please install new MFC drivers. Get them from my homepage or from www.microsoft.com.

Read about MFC at Microsoft. (2001-12-16)

Direct download link. - 1791 KB (2001-12-16)

v2.1

• Added support for Windows XP. You can probably run the old versions on WinXP but it looks cool in this version history.
• Removed the need for a edit.gtr file.
• Removed the initial dropdown menus.
• When I messed around with the chord editor I made a new small chordfile with the most common chords. There might be fewer errors in this chordfile than the default one just because there are less chords... Anyway, just press the open button and load the file called new.gtr
• Added printing support. You can now print your custom made chordfiles.
  It will look something like this:
  
  Guitar Chords Crash Course
  -------------------------------------------
  A Chords:
  -------------
  A: x 0 2 2 2 0
  A2: ...
  
  B Chords:
  -------------
  B: ...And so on...

v3.0

• Rewrote chord display engine to support 12 frets.
• Changed GUI (Graphical User Interface) to be able to display 12 frets.
• Added the chordfile information button.
• Rewrote the guitar tuner. You can now use it to tune your guitar up or down one half, or one whole step.
• Added the ability to loop notes in the guitar tuner. You can also select how long you want the notes to sound.
• Fixed the chord editor to support 12 frets.
• Added a new HUGE chordfile that I found on the net. The old chordfiles are also available, just press the open button and select the chordfile you want.
• Added support for 200 chords per chord button.
• Fixed a printing bug that made G3C print empty chords. Now G3C will only print chords you can see in the main program.
• Added the search feature. This feature will find a tab for you or check if a tab has multiple names. You can use the "copy" button to quickly copy the currently displayed chord down to the search box.
• Fixed lots of stuff in the chord editor and made it easier to work with.
• Added the "Play Chord" feature. You can now hear what the chords should sound like... Well, almost.

v3.1

• Updated GUI with nice icons.
• Tabs are now written in bold text.
• Added the sorting feature in the chord editor. It will not actually sort the chords, only put all the empty ones at the bottom.
• Added more tunings in the guitar tuner and the ability to make your own tunings. You can also playback all chords using your own custom made tunings. The tuner editor will only play the notes using a piano and the default MIDI-out device.
• Version 3.0 of G3C did not play the chords correctly, this should be fixed now.
• Some other minor updates which I can't remember.
• Added the ability to register G3C. Donate $5 or more and you shall receive a registration code that will remove all PayPal buttons. Don't worry, G3C is still completely free to use. There are NO limitations, NO locked features and NO time limit. This is just something extra for people who actually register.

v3.2

F.A.Q:

What does GCCC and G3C mean?
These are only shorts of Guitar Chords Crash Course.

What does B.I.N.C mean?
This is actually a tribute to the Wine project. Wine stands for “Wine Is Not an Emulator” and it’s a project that will make Windows programs run on Linux. B.I.N.C stands for “BINC Is Not a Company”. I came up with B.I.N.C just because a lot of websites that host G3C requires a company name.

What is G3C?
G3C is a C++ MFC project I started a couple of years ago. I play the guitar and I’m learning how to develop software so this became my learning project.

Is G3C free?
Yes, but if you like it and use it a lot then check the next question.

I like G3C and I would like to help out in any way I can, what can I do?
You can register G3C by donating 5 USD or more (or an equal amount in any other currency) via PayPal. When you have donated you will receive a registration code that enables you to remove all annoying popup messages and all PayPal buttons.

What do I get if I donate $10?
Well… You can have two registration codes if you like…

I don’t have a credit card but my friend will let me borrow his/hers. Will the registration name be his/hers?
If you would like another name, please send an eMail to: bearson@hotmail.com after you donated.

Are there any disabled features in G3C if I don’t register?
No, there are NO disabled or hidden features and there is NO time limit. Registering enables you to remove the annoying popup messages and the PayPal buttons. You also show your support by donating, and that is greatly appreciated.

How do I …insert your query here…?
I know, there isn’t a lot of documentation for G3C… Check the version history, maybe the answer to your question can be found there. You can always try sending your question to: bearson@hotmail.com

I found a bug in G3C…
Great! First check the bug list on my website and if it’s not in the list send an eMail to: bearson@hotmail.com describing the bug. Also include the version number you are running.

I have a suggestion for you…
Super! Send a note about it to: bearson@hotmail.com.

I can’t get any sound in G3C…
First try changing the output device in G3C. If that doesn’t work you should try playing a MIDI file. Run a search for “*.mid” on your computer. If you can’t hear anything then check the MIDI volume. If you have a soundcard that requires soundfonts like the Creative Soundblaster Live! then you need to load a soundfont. Check the documentation for your soundcard.

I just made a chord file or tunings file which I think is better than the ones included in G3C…
If you like sharing it then send it to: bearson@hotmail.com and I’ll put it on my website.

I’m a software developer and I’m interested in the source code for G3C, can I have it?
For the moment, G3C isn’t open source. Mainly because it’s an ongoing project and there are still features I would like to add. I’m also not very good at writing understandable code…

Will there be a Linux port?
At the moment I don’t have access to a Linux machine but I’m investigating the possibility. And maybe a Java port…

How much code is there in G3C?
Currently, there are a little more than 10,000 lines of code in G3C. This is however constantly changing whenever I find better ways of doing stuff…

Actually, I think G3C sucks!
Go make a better program…