Chord
What is a Chord?
A chord is a combination of 2 or more unique notes to create the shape and space supporting a melody. It comes from the French word “accord,” which means “agreement.” It creates a pleasing effect as they are harmoniously combined.
Key Takeaways
- A chord is a combination of two or more notes or pitches created to make a harmonious sound.
- A chord is used to support a melody.
- The most common number of note combinations is three notes played together to create a pleasant sound.
Understanding a Chord
There is no limit to how many notes can be used in a chord, but the more chords added the more dissonant a chord sounds, making the combination of three notes or pitches the most used mixture.
You can play chords on a piano or guitar, or any other instrument except for those that can’t play multiple notes at a time, such as a trumpet.
There are several different types of chords, which are major chords, minor chords, and diminished chords. Each of these standard chord forms can have altered notes that change the form and sound of the chord.
Related Terms
Arpeggio Arpeggio is a musical theory also known as a broken chord. more
Chromatic A chromatic scale is a 12-pitch scale, each being a semi note or half-step, which are above or below the last note. more