Changes

A '''chord''' in [[music]] consists of multiple [[musical note|notes]] played simultaneously, though two notes played simultaneously are usually called an interval.  The notes used to "build" a chord are usually assigned numbers, starting with "1" to denote the "root" note, which provides the name of the chord.  [[flat (music)|Flat]] and [[sharp (music)|sharp]] symbols are used to alter the position in the [[key (music|key]] that given notes are drawn from.

A '''chord''' in [[music]] consists of multiple [[musical note|notes]] played simultaneously, though two notes played simultaneously are usually called an interval.  The notes used to "build" a chord are usually assigned numbers, starting with "1" to denote the "root" note, which provides the name of the chord.  [[flat (music)|Flat]] and [[sharp (music)|sharp]] symbols are used to alter the position in the [[key (music|key]] that given notes are drawn from by.  In Western music, chords are based upon the interval of the third, whether major or minor.

There are many types of chords in Western music, including (examples are all on C):

There are many types of chords in Western music, including (examples all have C as the root):

*Major chord - consists of three notes each three half-steps apart: 1-3-5, C-E-G

*Major chord - consists of three notes with an interval of a major third followed by a minor third: 1-3-5, C-E-G

*Minor chord - the middle note is dropped one half step: 1-b3-5, C-D#-G

*Minor chord - the middle note is dropped one half step: 1-♭3-5, C-D#-G

*Power chord or open fifth - the "3" is dropped (common in hard rock): 1-5, C-G

*Power chord or open fifth - the "3" is dropped (common in hard rock): 1-5, C-G

*Seventh chord - adds a fourth note, which depends on the key or sound desired.

*Seventh chord - adds a fourth note, which depends on the key or sound desired.

**Major seventh chord: 1-3-5-7, C-E-G-B

**Major seventh chord: 1-3-5-7, C-E-G-B

**Minor seventh chord: 1-3-5-b7, C-E-G-Bb

**Major-minor seventh chord: 1-3-5-♭7, C-E-G-B♭

*Augmented chord - at its simplest, the fifth is raised a half step: 1-3-#5, C-E-G#

*Augmented chord - at its simplest, the fifth is raised a half step: 1-3-#5, C-E-G#

*Diminished chord - the third and fifth are both dropped one half step: 1-b3-b5, C-D#-F#

*Diminished chord - the third and fifth are both dropped one half step: 1-♭3-♭5, C-E♭-G♭

*Ninth chord - at its simplest, adds a fifth note: 1-3-5-7-9, C-E-G-B-D

*Ninth chord - at its simplest, adds a fifth note: 1-3-5-7-9, C-E-G-B-D

At this point, chords can start to have incredbily complex structures, for instance, the ninth chord described above could be minor, augmented, diminished, have a flat seventh, have missing notes between the root and the ninth, etc.

At this point, chords can start to have incredibly complex structures, for instance, the ninth chord described above could be minor, augmented, diminished, have a flat seventh, have missing notes between the root and the ninth, etc.

The use of different kinds of chords (and [[chord progression|chord progressions]]) is very important to the sound and feel of different styles and genres of music.

The use of different kinds of chords (and [[chord progression|chord progressions]]) is very important to the sound and feel of different styles and genres of music.

[[category:music]]

[[category:music]]