Re-use \chordmode for strumming patterns

[Joel Ebel]

Hi. I'm curious if there's a way to re-use a variable containing
chords entered in \chordmode to create strumming patterns with
Pitch_squash_engraver and \improvisationOn. I like only having to
enter the chords once, so if I change something, I only need to do it
in one place, and I also would like the strumming patterns in the midi
output. But the issue is that handing multiple notes to the
Pitch_squash_engraver gives it a double note-head. Is there a way to
maybe extract the root of the chord, or get a single head from the
Pitch_squash_engraver?

Thanks!
Joel

Example:

\version "2.19.25"

chordNames = \chordmode {
  c4 c8 c~ c c c c
  g4 g8 g~ g g g g

}

<<
  \new ChordNames {
    \set chordChanges = ##t
    \chordNames }
  \new Voice \with {
    \consists "Pitch_squash_engraver"
  } { \improvisationOn
      % Would like some option here like:
      % \chordRoot
      \chordNames
  }
>>