Chord

A chord is simply defined as two or more musical notes played together. When multiple notes combine harmoniously, they form a chord. Chords are the building blocks of harmony in music. They occur when two or more notes are played simultaneously, creating an agreeable sound. The notes within a chord usually have a specific relationship with each other based on their pitch and the key.

Chords are essential in most types of Western music. They provide harmony to melodies and basslines. Chords progression are the foundation of musical compositions across genres from classical to pop. They help outline the key and tonality, creating a sense of movement and momentum. Chords add depth, emotion, and interest to music.

There are several common types of chords used in music:

• Triads are basic chords consisting of three notes – the root, third, and fifth notes of a scale. Major and minor triads are the most fundamental chords.
• Seventh chords contain four notes – a triad plus an additional interval of a seventh. The dominant seventh chord plays a key role in harmony and voice leading.
• Extended chords like ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths involve stacking additional thirds to build complex harmonies.
• Altered chords contain modified tones through accidentals that add dissonance and color.

Chord progressions are series of chords commonly used in certain patterns and successions. The specific chord progressions used help define genres like blues, jazz, rock, and pop. They create forward momentum and harmony. The resolution of tension between chords is essential to crafting memorable music.

Definition of a Chord

The dictionary definition refers to a chord as a “harmonious sound made up of two or more notes played together”. However, in music theory and practice, a chord usually consists of three or more different notes that complement each other melodically.

The minimum requirement for forming a chord is three notes – known as a triad. Two notes played together are called an interval. While intervals can imply harmony and chords in certain contexts, three unique notes are needed to definitively establish a chord. The three notes that comprise a simple chord are referred to as the root, third, and fifth.

Chords are differentiated from arpeggios and broken chords in that the notes in a chord are played at the same time whereas arpeggios and broken chords are played in sequence. An arpeggio consists of the individual notes of a chord played one after the other. A broken chord also spells out the chord tones separately. While arpeggios and broken chords outline chord tones, only simultaneously played notes constitute an actual chord.

However, single note melody lines can imply chords and harmony in the mind of the listener even when played without accompaniment. Certain melodic patterns subconsciously suggest underlying chords. The notes played may belong to specific chords that the listener perceives as if they were being played beneath the melody. This illusion occurs due to our sense of tonality and pitch relationships. So while not literally chords, monophonic instrumental lines can create the sensation of harmony.

Chord Harmonics

When it comes to Western music, chords are the basis of harmony and tonality. Chords form the foundation of the tonal system that dominated classical music and still persists across many genres today. The various chords derived from the major or minor scale establish a sense of key and serve specific harmonic functions.

For instance, in the key of C major, the C major chord acts as the tonic chord. This tonic triad feels most stable and resolved. Other diatonic chords built on degrees of the C major scale create varying tension and instability to different degrees. The G major chord, as the dominant, builds the most tension due to its tritone interval which wants to resolve to the tonic for finality.

Chords progressions utilize these tension-building chords to establish a home key. The chords prolong movement towards the eventual resolution to the tonic. Some chord progressions may even contradict the tonic briefly, creating more complex harmonic relationships. But there is a magnetic attraction between the dominant and tonic chords.

The resolution from a tense dominant chord to a stable tonic chord is an essential musical phenomenon. This satisfies the listener’s ear and gives a sense of release and repose. Understanding these chord relationships provides the foundation for crafting memorable music that builds and resolves harmonic motion.

History of Chords

The use of chords in Western music has evolved significantly throughout history. As musical styles and techniques have advanced over the centuries, so has the complex implementation of chords into compositions. Chords have not always been utilized or conceived in the same ways. Examining the historical context provides insight into their development.

In the Medieval era, a primitive form of chords entered sacred music. These early chords were known as organum. Organum involved notes sung in parallel motion, typically with intervals of perfect fourths, fifths, and octaves. This differed greatly from modern harmonic chords, but it did allow multiple pitches to be sung together. The parallel organum parts highlighted church modes and chant melodies.

Early Church Music

Organum was an important precursor to later harmonic developments. These parallel interval chords emphasized consonance. Organum was partially born out of improvised harmonies added to existing Gregorian chants. The intervallic chords highlighted the modality and reinforced the melodies. While not true polyphony, organum did plant early seeds that blossomed into more advanced choral practices.

Renaissance Period

The Renaissance era saw a major evolution in music with the rise of polyphony. Polyphonic music involved multiple, independent melodic lines sung or played together. This was a significant development from the monophony of the Middle Ages. Polyphonic writing emerged in the 14th and 15th centuries.

With a focus on weaving multiple melodies together, chordal harmony was not a priority. The convergence of independent melodic lines brought chords into play, but they were a coincidental byproduct. Composers focused extensively on the counterpoint between fluid melodies, rather than consciously constructing chords.

Nonetheless, this new polyphonic music did begin incorporating more complex harmonies, even if indirectly. As the Renaissance progressed, early types of chord progressions naturally took shape. Cadences outlined chord relationships. Contrapuntal works started exhibiting major and minor sections. So this era planted further seeds leading to later chord theory.

Baroque Period

The Baroque period spanning 1600-1750 saw monumental advances in harmonic theory and chord-driven music. This era realized the emergence of tonality, establishing the tonal system which revolves around key signatures, scale degrees, and chord functions that has dominated Western music.

Baroque composers now consciously constructed chords to provide harmonic accompaniment to melodic lines, unlike the indirect chords of the Renaissance. Chords were built systematically on the diatonic scale degrees. Basso continuo provided chordal foundation to musical pieces using figured bass notation.

Figured bass used numeric symbols to specify harmonies over a bassline, allowing performers to improvise chords. This provided harmonic structure. The numbers indicated the intervals required above each bass note to construct the desired chord. This improvisatory accompaniment emphasized the bass and chords.

The circle of fifths gained prominence for modulation along with functional harmony. Composers utilized chord progressions across keys to modulate smoothly. The naturally-occurring circle of fifths relationship facilitated logical key changes. Chord functions like dominant-tonic resolution were standardized. This structural harmonic approach powered the Baroque era.

Classical and Romantic Eras

The Classical and Romantic periods spanning approximately 1750-1900 built upon the harmonic framework established in the Baroque era. Composers continued expanding their use of chords in innovative ways.

Chromaticism increased, using notes from outside the prevailing key signature. Composers utilized more accidentals, chromatic runs, and tonal harmony. This expanded the chord possibilities beyond diatonic triads.

Secondary dominants also emerged, involving chords which momentarily tonicize a key other than the home key. For example, in C major, a D major chord followed by G major gives the sense of temporary modulation to the dominant key of G major.

New altered and extended chords arose like diminished, augmented, ninth, and thirteenth chords. Altering chord tones through accidentals added dissonance and color. Stacking additional third intervals built complex harmonic extensions.

Overall, the Classical and Romantic periods saw great innovations in chord usage. Composers broke from purely diatonic harmony and began harnessing new chord types to drive modulation, build tension, and color their musical works. This expanded harmonic language served as the gateway to modern chord theory and development.

Notating and Representing Chords

There are various systems and techniques used to notate chords in musical scores. From standard staff notation to guitar tab, many genres and instruments have their own methods. However, some chord notation systems pervade all types of Western music. These core approaches enable analysis and communication about chord theory and harmony.

Staff Notation

Staff notation is the most common system, used by classical, jazz, ensemble, and individual instrumental music. Chords are simply written as stacked notes on the musical staff. This provides clear, precise indication of the notes to be played together in a chord. However, some other notation systems offer benefits for quickly conveying harmonic analysis and functional information.

Standard staff notation offers the most literal representation of chords. The notes comprising a chord are simply written vertically on the five-line musical staff at the desired rhythmic value. This precisely indicates which notes should be sounded together. Staff notation is an indispensable fundamental chord notation method used across most musical genres.

Roman Numerals

Roman numerals offer a shorthand way to analyze and label chords by scale degree. Uppercase numerals denote major chords while lowercase numerals indicate minor chords. For example, in the key of C major the chords would be labeled:

• I – C major
• ii – D minor
• iii – E minor
• IV – F major
• V – G major
• vi – A minor
• viio – B diminished

This Roman numeral system outlines the chords’ relationships to the tonic triad, or tonal center. The tonic chord built on scale degree 1 is designated with the I numeral. Using Roman numerals provides insight into functional harmony and chord progressions. It also enables easy transposition to any key, since the numeric relationships remain consistent.

Some variations like figured bass symbols can be combined with Roman numerals to specify non-triad extensions like sevenths. But overall, this notation quickly conveys the harmonic role and tonality of chord symbols.

Figured Bass Notation

Figured bass is a specialized notation system that emerged in the Baroque period to facilitate improvised chordal accompaniment. It was used extensively in the 1600s-1700s, especially with basso continuo playing.

In figured bass notation, a bassline is written out and numbered symbols are added below to indicate the harmony. The numbers specify the intervals above each bass note that the accompanist should play to produce the correct chords.

For instance, a figured bass symbol of 6/4 indicates that a sixth and a fourth above the bass note should be played. This allows the accompanist to improvise chords spontaneously.

By providing just the bassline and chord interval numbers, composers enabled complex harmonies without writing out full parts. This figured bass notation was an efficient way to convey harmony and allow interactive accompaniments. The numeric chord symbols guided the improvisation.

Figured bass notation was a key development that enabled complex polyphonic compositions with flexible harmony in the Baroque era. The concept conveyed basic harmonic instructions to spur realtime creation of chords and counterpoint.

Chord Letters

Chord letters use a simple shorthand to identify the root note and quality of chords. This notation is commonly used in musical analysis and music theory contexts. Chord letters allow quick communication of harmonic function.

The system uses a letter to denote the chord root, followed by suffixes to indicate quality:

• “m” = minor
• “maj” = major
• “dim” = diminished
• “aug” = augmented
• “7” = dominant seventh
• “M7” = major seventh

For example:

• C = C major
• Cm = C minor
• Caug = C augmented
• C7 = C dominant seventh
• CM7 = C major seventh

This succinct chord letter system can efficiently analyze progressions and key relationships in classical music, jazz standards, pop songs, etc. The basic chord letter provides the tonal root. The quality suffix adds nuance.

Chord Symbols in Popular Music

Lead sheets, fake books, and chord charts rely on chord symbols to outline the harmony for pop, rock, and jazz musicians. These chord symbols efficiently communicate the harmonic structure and progression of songs.

Chord symbols typically include:

• The chord root
• The chord quality (major, minor, etc.)
• Any added tones or extensions (7ths, 9ths, etc.)

For example:

• C = C major triad
• Cm7 = C minor seventh chord
• C9 = C dominant ninth chord
• Cmaj7 = C major seventh chord

This shorthand allows musicians to quickly interpret chord changes when performing tunes. The chord symbols let the rhythm section improvise appropriate voicings and accompaniment. Lead singers can use the symbols to follow modulations. Jazz musicians use them to guide solos.

Chord symbols facilitate musical collaboration across many genres by conveying harmonic essentials without writing out sheet music. The symbols communicate key chord changes, empowering musicians to play together creatively.

Chord Symbol	Description
m, min, −	These symbols signify a chord with a minor quality. The lowercase “m” is distinctively used to differentiate it from the uppercase “M” which stands for major chords.
M, Ma, Maj, Δ, (no symbol)	These are indicative of a major chord. In the realm of jazz, they often suggest the performer’s discretion to opt for any chord that has a major tonality, such as the major seventh or the 6/9 chord.
+ or aug	These symbols are representative of a chord that has been augmented, meaning one of its notes has been raised by a half step.
o or dim	These denote a chord with a diminished quality. This could be a simple triad or even a seventh chord where the intervals between notes are smaller.
ø	This symbol is used for a chord known as the half-diminished seventh. In some musical contexts, it might also be represented as m7(♭5).
2	This symbol is typically used when an additional note, specifically the second or ninth note of the scale, is incorporated into the chord, creating variations like add2 or sus2.
3	This number usually refers to the third note of the scale, which determines if the chord is major or minor. It’s not commonly written out as a number.
4	Often used to indicate the addition of the fourth note of the scale to the chord, leading to variations such as add4 or sus4.
5	This symbol stands for the fifth note of the scale in the chord. In genres like rock, the “5” can also denote a power chord, which is a simplified chord consisting of the root and fifth notes.
6	This symbol represents a chord that includes the sixth note of the scale. It’s not always clear if the 6 replaces the 5th note or if it’s added in addition to it.
7	Typically stands for a dominant seventh chord. However, when paired with other symbols like Maj7, M7, or Δ7, it denotes a major 7th chord.
9	Represents a ninth chord. In jazz settings, this chord often encompasses the dominant seventh note as well, especially if the chord is dominant in nature.
11	Signifies an eleventh chord. In jazz, this chord usually integrates the dominant seventh and ninth notes too, if the chord has a dominant quality.
13	Denotes a thirteenth chord. In many jazz compositions, this chord will also include the dominant seventh, ninth, and eleventh notes.
6/9	Indicates a chord that is a fusion of both the sixth and ninth notes of the scale.
sus4	Represents a suspended chord where the third note is replaced by the fourth. Variations can include additional notes, such as Asus4(add9).
sus2	Another type of suspended chord where the third note is replaced by the second, which can also be termed as the ninth. Variations might include additional notes, like Asus2(add♭7).
(♭9)	Used to highlight specific chord alterations. For instance, A7(♭9) would mean an A7 chord with a flattened ninth. This notation has historical significance, stemming from a time when jazz musicians were less accustomed to altered chords.
add	Indicates the inclusion of an additional interval number to the chord, such as C7add13, which is a C 7th chord with an added 13th note.
alt or alt dom	Refers to an altered dominant seventh chord, like G7♯11, which is a G7 chord with a sharpened eleventh note.
omit5 or no5	Directs the musician to exclude the indicated note, which in this case is the fifth note of the chord.

Types of Chords

There are various kinds of chords that serve different harmonic functions and comprise unique intervals. The basic triad chords form the foundation, while more complex chord types build on these.

Chords are categorized by their internal structure – the size, quality, and exact intervallic makeup. Certain chord qualities immediately evoke certain feelings, emotions, and senses of tension or resolution. The context also informs the subjective impact.

Overview of Common Chord Types and Their Symbols

Chord Name	Symbol (Short on C)	Symbol (Long on C)	Description
Major Triad	C	CΔ	A foundational chord consisting of the root, major third, and perfect fifth.
Major Sixth Chord	C6	CM6, Cmaj6	A major triad with an added major sixth, often used in jazz contexts.
Dominant Seventh Chord	C7	Cdom7	A major triad followed by a minor seventh, often used to create tension before resolution.
Major Seventh Chord	CM7	C∆7, Cmaj7	A major triad with an added major seventh, producing a jazzy, sophisticated sound.
Augmented Triad	C+	Caug	A major triad with a raised fifth, creating a brighter, more tense sound.
Augmented Seventh Chord	C+7	Caug7	A dominant seventh chord with a raised fifth, adding more tension to the sound.
Minor Triad	Cm	Cmin	A chord with a root, minor third, and perfect fifth, producing a sadder tone.
Minor Sixth Chord	Cm6	Cmin6	A minor triad with an added major sixth, blending both melancholic and jazzy tones.
Minor Seventh Chord	Cm7	Cmin7	A minor triad followed by a minor seventh, commonly used in blues and jazz.
Minor-Major Seventh Chord	CmM7	Cm/M7, Cm(M7), Cminmaj7	A minor triad with an added major seventh, creating a unique blend of moods.
Diminished Triad	Co	Cdim	A chord with a root, minor third, and diminished fifth, producing a tense, unresolved sound.
Diminished Seventh Chord	Co7	Cdim7	A fully diminished chord, adding even more tension with its diminished seventh.
Half-Diminished Seventh Chord	Cø	Cø7	A diminished triad followed by a minor seventh, often used as a passing chord in jazz.

Understanding chord types provides vocabulary for analyzing music theory and guides musicians in applying chords. Composers combine chords strategically like colors on a palette to craft the intended mood. Performers interpret chord symbols to produce appropriate voicings and progressions.

Triads

Triads are the most fundamental chord type, consisting of three notes – the root, third, and fifth notes in a scale. Major and minor triads form the basis of harmony in Western music. Augmented and diminished chords add tension through modified intervals. Triads establish tonality and provide familiar consonance to anchor music.

Overview of Basic Chord Types in Music

Chord Type	Intervals	Symbols	Notes	Description	Examples
Major Triad	Major Third, Perfect Fifth	C, CM, Cmaj, CΔ, Cma	C E G	A bright and happy sounding chord.	“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
Minor Triad	Minor Third, Perfect Fifth	Cm, Cmin, C−, Cmi	C E♭ G	A slightly sad or melancholic chord.	“House of the Rising Sun”
Augmented Triad	Major Third, Augmented Fifth	Caug, C+, C+5	C E G♯	A chord with a raised or “augmented” fifth.	“Oh! Darling” by The Beatles
Diminished Triad	Minor Third, Diminished Fifth	Cdim, Co, Cm(♭5)	C E♭ G♭	A tense and unresolved sounding chord.	“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”

Seventh Chords

Seventh chords consist of four notes – a triad plus an additional interval of a seventh above the root. This seventh added above the 5th creates distinctive color and function. Seventh chords are important for voice leading and chord progressions across classical, jazz, pop, and other genres.

There are several types of seventh chords:

• Dominant seventh – Major triad + minor 7th (1 3 5 ♭7); creates strong tension and resolution
• Major seventh – Major triad + major 7th (1 3 5 7); conveys dreamy, ethereal feelings
• Minor seventh – Minor triad + minor 7th (1 ♭3 5 ♭7); poignant, grating instability
• Diminished seventh – Diminished triad + diminished 7th (1 ♭3 ♭5 ♭♭7); ethereal ambiguity, often passing function

Overview of Seventh Chords in Music

Type	Intervals	Symbols	Notes	Description
Diminished Seventh	Minor Third, Diminished Fifth, Diminished Seventh	Co7, Cdim7	C E♭ G♭ Bdouble flat	A chord with a tense and unresolved sound.
Half-diminished Seventh	Minor Third, Diminished Fifth, Minor Seventh	Cø7, Cm7♭5, C−(♭5)	C E♭ G♭ B♭	A chord with a slightly tense sound, often used as a passing chord.
Minor Seventh	Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh	Cm7, Cmin7, C−7	C E♭ G B♭	A melancholic and smooth sounding chord.
Minor Major Seventh	Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh	CmM7, Cmmaj7, C−(j7), C−Δ7, C−M7	C E♭ G B	A chord with a unique blend of sadness and resolution.
Dominant Seventh	Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh	C7, Cdom7	C E G B♭	A versatile chord that adds tension before resolution.
Major Seventh	Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh	CM7, CM7, Cmaj7, CΔ7, Cj7	C E G B	A bright and resolved sounding chord.
Augmented Seventh	Major Third, Augmented Fifth, Minor Seventh	C+7, Caug7, C7+, C7+5, C7♯5	C E G♯ B♭	A chord with a raised fifth, adding a touch of brightness.
Augmented Major Seventh	Major Third, Augmented Fifth, Major Seventh	C+M7, CM7+5, CM7♯5, C+j7, C+Δ7	C E G♯ B	A chord with both a raised fifth and a major seventh, creating a unique sound.

Seventh chords introduce an additional dissonant note to the triad structure. This extra tone adds complexity and new colors. Composers harness these seventh chord qualities in harmonic progressions, modulations, and voice leading.

Extended Chords

Extended chords build on the triad by stacking additional third intervals above the seventh. Ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths are the most common extended chord types. They introduce extra color notes and expanded harmonic possibilities.

• Ninth chords add the ninth scale degree above a seventh chord. The ninth (or second) brings a dreamy, ethereal quality.
• Eleventh chords add the fourth scale degree above a ninth chord. The dissonant eleventh clashing with the third provides vibrant tension.
• Thirteenth chords pile the sixth scale degree on top of the eleventh chord. The thirteenth adds another color that can subsume the third.

Overview of Extended Chords in Music

Type	Components	Symbols	Notes	Description
Dominant Ninth	Dominant Seventh, Major Ninth	C9	C E G B♭ D	A chord that adds a layer of complexity to the dominant seventh with its major ninth.
Dominant Eleventh	Dominant Seventh (Third usually omitted), Major Ninth, Perfect Eleventh	C11	C E G B♭ D F	A rich chord that often omits the third and introduces the perfect eleventh for added texture.
Dominant Thirteenth	Dominant Seventh, Major Ninth, Perfect Eleventh (usually omitted), Major Thirteenth	C13	C E G B♭ D F A	The most extended of the dominant chords, it includes up to the major thirteenth for a full sound.

These extended chords proliferated in jazz, allowing more complex harmony and new modal vocabulary. But they also appear across many genres from pop to fusion. Musicians utilize the extensions in rich voicings and chord substitutions.

Extended chords supply a palette of lush, dense sonorities. Composers and performers use them to craft interesting chord progressions and modern-sounding harmonies.

Altered Chords

Altered chords involve triads or seventh chords with one or more notes modified by accidentals. This alters the intervals to create tenser, more dissonant harmonies with new colors and functions.

Common alterations include:

• Augmented/diminished fifths – Creates an edgy, tense tritone interval
• Augmented/diminished thirds and sevenths – Adds crunchy minor second and major seventh dissonance
• Sharped/flatted ninths – Provides piquant, bluesy colors

Overview of Altered Chords in Music

Type	Components	Symbols	Notes	Description
Seventh Augmented Fifth	Dominant Seventh, Augmented Fifth	C7+5, C7♯5	C E G♯ B♭	A dominant seventh chord with a raised fifth for added tension.
Seventh Minor Ninth	Dominant Seventh, Minor Ninth	C7−9, C7♭9	C E G B♭ D♭	A dominant seventh chord with a lowered ninth, giving it a bluesy feel.
Seventh Sharp Ninth	Dominant Seventh, Augmented Ninth	C7+9, C7♯9	C E G B♭ D♯	A dominant seventh chord with a raised ninth, often found in jazz and fusion genres.
Seventh Augmented Eleventh	Dominant Seventh, Augmented Eleventh	C7+11, C7♯11	C E G B♭ D F♯	A dominant seventh chord with a raised eleventh, adding a unique color to the sound.
Seventh Diminished Thirteenth	Dominant Seventh, Minor Thirteenth	C7−13, C7♭13	C E G B♭ D F A♭	A dominant seventh chord with a lowered thirteenth, creating a dense harmonic texture.
Half-diminished Seventh	Minor Seventh, Diminished Fifth	Cø, Cø7, Cm7♭5	C E♭ G♭ B♭	A chord that sits between a minor seventh and a fully diminished seventh, often used as a passing chord.

Altered chords gained prominence in jazz, enriching harmony and allowing smoother chromatic voice leading. But they also appear across many genres.

Musicians harness them for modulation, thickened texture, and new scales. Composers selectively apply altered tones to add spice and transform the mood of a progression. Performers interpret them as hip chord substitutions.

Alterations open the door to exciting harmonic twists, with the dissonance and tension adding guts and emotive power. Altered chords add bold, signature colors.

Added Tone Chords

Added tone chords include an extra note not part of the chord’s natural tertian structure. Commonly added tones include the sixth, ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth scale degrees. This provides expanded color and function.

• Sixth chords feature either a major or minor triad with an added major sixth. This brings a bright, uplifting quality.
• Add9 chords take a triad and add the ninth tone. The dissonant second adds flair.
• Add11 chords involve adding the fourth scale degree. The dissonant fourth provides crunch against the third.
• Add13 chords pile the sixth tone on top. The sixth adds depth distinct from the seventh.

Overview of Altered Chords in Music

Type	Components	Symbols	Notes	Description
Seventh Augmented Fifth	Dominant Seventh, Augmented Fifth	C7+5, C7♯5	C E G♯ B♭	A dominant seventh chord with a raised fifth for added tension.
Seventh Minor Ninth	Dominant Seventh, Minor Ninth	C7−9, C7♭9	C E G B♭ D♭	A dominant seventh chord with a lowered ninth, giving it a bluesy feel.
Seventh Sharp Ninth	Dominant Seventh, Augmented Ninth	C7+9, C7♯9	C E G B♭ D♯	A dominant seventh chord with a raised ninth, often found in jazz and fusion genres.
Seventh Augmented Eleventh	Dominant Seventh, Augmented Eleventh	C7+11, C7♯11	C E G B♭ D F♯	A dominant seventh chord with a raised eleventh, adding a unique color to the sound.
Seventh Diminished Thirteenth	Dominant Seventh, Minor Thirteenth	C7−13, C7♭13	C E G B♭ D F A♭	A dominant seventh chord with a lowered thirteenth, creating a dense harmonic texture.
Half-diminished Seventh	Minor Seventh, Diminished Fifth	Cø, Cø7, Cm7♭5	C E♭ G♭ B♭	A chord that sits between a minor seventh and a fully diminished seventh, often used as a passing chord.

Added tones allow flexible extension of basic chords while retaining their core identity. Composers add color, performers substitute them, and jazzers alter them endlessly as upper structure chords.

The added tones provide controlled embellishment. They inject new moods and textures through strategic discordance. Added tone chords offer expanded creativity.

Suspended Chords

Suspended chords feature the third scale degree replaced or suspended by either the second or the fourth scale degree. This creates an open, ambiguous sound. The two main types are:

• Sus2 chords – The third is suspended by the second (the ninth). Ex: Csus2 = C D G.
• Sus4 chords – The third is suspended by the fourth. Ex: Csus4 = C F G.

Overview of Suspended and Jazz Chords in Music

Type	Components	Symbols	Notes	Description
Suspended Second	Open Fifth, Major Second	Csus2	C D G	A chord that replaces the third with a major second, creating a sense of anticipation.
Suspended Fourth	Open Fifth, Perfect Fourth	Csus4	C F G	A chord that replaces the third with a perfect fourth, adding a hint of tension.
Jazz Sus	Open Fifth, Perfect Fourth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth	C9sus4	C F G B♭ D	A complex chord often found in jazz compositions, blending suspended and ninth intervals.

The missing third omits the chord’s character. This leaves it hanging in limbo without clear major or minor definition. The dissonant suspensions provide an unresolved, tense sound.

Suspended chords are popular in jazz and rock for crafting colorful harmonies and dynamic voice leading. Composers exploit their unsettled quality. Performers use them as embellishments and passing chords.

The suspenseful sound allows smooth slides between more defined chords. Suspended chords enable voice leading flexibility and add interest via dissonance. The temporary ambiguity creates motion.

Borrowed Chords

Borrowed chords come from outside the main key of a composition. Specifically, they are chords taken from the parallel minor or major key. This technique enriches the harmonic palette.

For example, in a song in C major, chords may be “borrowed” from C minor:

• The ♭III chord (E♭ major)
• The ♭VI chord (A♭ major)
• The ♭VII chord (B♭ major)

This borrowing injects new moods by incorporating non-diatonic chords. The chords introduce different color and function.

Composers utilize borrowed chords to add flair and avoid repetitive diatonic harmony. Performers use them to add modal flair or modulate smoothly. Jazzers frequently borrow chords for spicy harmonic twists.

Borrowed chords creatively expand tonal possibilities by appropriating chords from parallel keys. This provides access to fresh but familiar chord colors.

Chord Building Blocks and Qualities

Underneath the diverse chord types lie some core foundations that give chords their distinctive identities and properties. The interval construction, extensions added, and chord qualities all contribute to the function and feeling.

Major and minor chords form the essential yin and yang of harmony, providing stability and familiarity versus poignancy and tension. Major chords depict happiness and achieve resolution. Minor chords evoke melancholy, darkness, and introspection.

Augmented and diminished chords deliver tense, unstable vibes that demand resolution thanks to their modified five and flatted five intervals. Augmented chords convey uplifting brightness. Diminished chords create uneasy darkness.

Dominant seventh chords feature the essential minor seventh interval that desperately wants to resolve to the third of the tonic. This chord is critical for building tension and guiding voice leading in harmonically-driven music.

The specific intervals that comprise chords deeply impact their effect. From soothing perfect fifths to edgy tritones, the interval construction informs the color. Intervals also outline the chord’s function and tendency. The quality and complexity of intervals contribute greatly to a chord’s essence.

Adding Tones to Triads

While triads form the basis of harmony, further harmonic complexity and interest can be achieved by adding additional notes to the triad structure. Ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths expand triads into lush, colorful extended chords. Suspensions and added tones also modify and embellish triads in creative ways.

Ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths extend tertian stacking by piling on more third intervals. This provides a thicker, richer harmonic palette. The extended tones introduce dissonance and color.

Suspended chords (sus2, sus4) suspend the third with the second or fourth scale degree. This creates tense anticipation and ambiguity. The open sound facilitates voice leading.

Added tone chords (add9, add11, add13) directly supplement triads by mixing in non-tertian notes. This harmonically spices up the triad without complicating it as much as full extensions.

The possibilities for modifying basic triad chords are nearly endless. Composers use added tones strategically to elicit certain emotions. Performers substitute chords to produce hip new flavors. Triad embellishments greatly expand harmonic potential.

Chord Inversions

Chords can be arranged in different vertical structures to create new colors and harmonic motions. These altered chord arrangements are called inversions. Inversions enable smoother voice leading and variability.

In root position, the root note is the lowest pitch – the bass of the chord. This creates the most stable, grounded voicing. In an inverted chord, one of the other chord tones besides the root is moved to the bottom.

• First inversion – The third is the lowest note.
• Second inversion – The fifth is the lowest note.
• Third inversion – The seventh is the lowest note.

Inversions sound subtly different because they change which intervals occur in the lower bass register versus higher overtones. Inversions also facilitate stepwise voice leading between chords.

On guitar, new shapes and fingerings arise from inverted chord voicings. Guitarists switch shapes to perform inversions that would be difficult in standard position. This also affects tone and resonance.

Inversions provide nuance and flexibility in chord progression construction. Musicians harness inversions to enable smooth voice leading and varied harmonic colors.

Chord Harmonic Content and Color

The distinct sound, emotion, and gravitas of different chords stems largely from their internal harmonic content. Certain key intervals lend chords their unique mood, spice, and color. The interaction between chord tones informs overall tension and resolution.

The intervals inside a chord provide the nuts and bolts of its identity. From blissful perfect fifths to edgy tritones, the intervallic makeup creates overall harmonic sensation and function. Intervals clue us into direction and mood.

Altering key chord intervals allows tone manipulation to transform character. Strategic discord creates intensity and release. Interval content holds the keys to chord essence.

Tritones, Semitones, and Key Intervals

Certain intervals have an outsized influence on the sound, function, and resolution tendency of chords. The tritone, semitone, perfect fifth, and other intervals all significantly inform chord color.

Tritones introduce tension and dissonance that demands resolution. The clashing tritone interval naturally seeks to resolve inward by semitone to a perfect fifth or octave. This instability is a signature of dominant seventh chords.

Semitone intervals also create tension between chord tones that wants to resolve by semitones outward. This is common in minor seventh and major seventh chords, creating darker or brighter feels.

Perfect fifths provide consonance and stability. They ground chords in resolution and tonality. Their ubiquity in triads delivers familiarity.

Thirds and sixths establish chord quality and mood. Major versus minor thirds dictate happy or sad feels. Sixth intervals introduce more complex harmonics.

Second and fourth intervals create suspensions and ambiguity. Their dissonance with the third omits defining qualities.

The exact intervals comprising chords govern their essence. Composers carefully engineer intervals to craft impact, just as performers interpret them.

Nonchord Tones

Nonchord tones refer to notes that fall outside the current chord being sounded. They are dissonant passing or neighboring tones that provide color. Nonchord tones do not structurally belong to the underlying harmony.

Passing tones connect two stable chord tones by stepping between them. For example, an F note between G and E acts as a passing tone against a C major chord.

Neighbor tones embellish a chord tone by moving to an adjacent note then back to the chord tone. For example, a D sounds as a neighbor tone against a C major triad.

Nonchord tones add flair and interest by momentarily clashing against the prevailing harmony. Composers sprinkle them in to provide forward motion and urgency while delaying resolution. Performers apply them to add melodic embellishment and tension.

Nonchord tones liberally implement “rules” of harmony to generate suspensions, anticipation, and colorful discordance outside the chord structure. They enhance musicality through controlled dissonance.

Common Chord Progressions

While individual chords each offer their own color, combining chords into progressions provides the real basis for musical composition across genres. Certain classic chord sequences recur frequently. These standard progressions hold the key to crafting harmonically pleasing music.

The circle of fifths underlies many fundamental chord progressions. This sequence through the circle moves smoothly between closely related keys and chords a fifth apart. Circle progressions retain a sense of key while modulating.

Blues and jazz standards utilize archetypal progressions like the 12-bar blues form. The tension and release in these progressions helps drive the music forward and outline the harmony. Blues progressions involve abundant seventh chords.

Pop and rock songs often employ familiar progressions like doo-wop changes and the 50s progression. Simple yet pleasing progressions allow melodies to shine. Extended chords feature in modern rock progressions.

Understanding go-to chord sequences helps craft cohesive compositions. Certain classic progressions form the backbone of Western music. Chord progressions fuse individual chord qualities into holistic musical thought.

Instead of Conclusion: Why Chords Matter in Music

Chords are utterly foundational to the music we know and love. They provide the backbone of harmony, momentum, emotion, and form. Chords constitute the basis of most musical compositions across genres and styles. There are several key reasons chords are integral to music:

Chords create harmony and establish tonality. The notes contained in chords outline scales and keys. Chord progressions delineate the home key and harmony. Modulations pivot between keys via chord relationships.

Chords provide rhythmic energy and harmonic momentum. Their steady pulsation and tension/release propels music forward. Chord changes articulate structure and musical phrases.

Chords add emotion, color, and interest. The diverse palette of chord qualities offers a spectrum of moods. Composers combine chords to elicit rich emotions. Performers interpret chords to bring feelings to life.

Chords enable the creation of beautiful music. Their harmonic scaffolding supports captivating melodies and basslines able to touch our souls. Chords help transport listeners into transcendent realms.

In nearly all Western music, chords form the essential grammar of composition. They generate the pleasurable musical logic our brains desire. Chords confer heart and substance to music.