Chord

A “chord” in music refers to a group of notes played together, typically at the same time, to create harmony. Chords are fundamental to music and are used to provide structure and emotional depth to compositions. They consist of at least three different notes, but often contain more, and are named according to the number of notes they include (triad, seventh chord, etc.), their interval relationships, or their function within a key (e.g., major, minor, diminished, augmented). The arrangement and selection of chords in a progression are what give music its characteristic sound, whether it’s the joyful, uplifting feeling produced by major chords or the somber tone of minor chords. Chords are foundational in both classical and popular music, forming the backbone of harmony in genres such as rock, jazz, blues, and classical compositions. In a broader sense, “chord” can also refer to a shared, resonant sound between different instruments or voices playing together.

10 Sentences Using “Chord”:

1. The pianist played a beautiful chord that filled the room with warmth and depth.
2. He struck a chord on his guitar, and the melody instantly brought back memories of their youth.
3. The choir harmonized beautifully, each voice complementing the others like the perfect chord.
4. She learned how to play a G major chord on the guitar after just a few lessons.
5. The song transitions smoothly from one chord to the next, creating a seamless progression.
6. The orchestra’s chord progression built in intensity until it reached a powerful climax.
7. As the guitarist strummed the final chord, the audience erupted in applause.
8. The minor chord gave the piece a melancholic feel, contrasting with the earlier major chords.
9. He could identify every chord in the song by ear, a skill that took years of practice.
10. The composer added a surprising chord at the end of the piece, leaving the audience in awe.

Synonyms of “Chord”:

• Harmony
• Triad
• Interval
• Note cluster
• Musical group
• Tonic (when referring to the root of a chord)
• Harmony group
• Key (in some contexts)
• Musical sequence
• Sound combination

Antonyms of “Chord”:

• Discord
• Dissonance
• Clashing notes
• Silence
• Noise (in a non-musical sense)
• Monophony (single melodic line without harmony)
• Off-key
• Out of tune
• Unharmonious sound
• Uncoordinated sound

Related Words:

• Harmony
• Melody
• Scale
• Interval
• Key
• Progression
• Tonic
• Seventh
• Major
• Minor
• Dissonance
• Resolution
• Tension
• Voicing
• Arpeggio

Related Expressions:

• “Play a chord” (to strike or strum the notes of a chord on an instrument).
• “Chord progression” (a series of chords played in a specific sequence).
• “Resolve a chord” (to complete a musical phrase by returning to the tonic or home chord).
• “Break the chord” (to move from one chord to another in a progression).
• “Strum a chord” (to play a chord on a stringed instrument like a guitar).
• “Harmonize with” (to sing or play in harmony, usually accompanying a chord).
• “Form a chord” (to play or arrange notes in a chord).
• “Add a chord” (to include a new chord in a song or piece of music).
• “A chord of tension” (a chord that creates a sense of unresolved musical tension).
• “Chordal harmony” (harmony created using chords, as opposed to a melody or counterpoint).

Related Phrasal Verbs:

• “Strum out” (to play a chord or series of chords on a stringed instrument).
• “Play through” (to perform a chord progression or musical piece from start to finish).
• “Hit a chord” (to strike a chord on an instrument, sometimes used metaphorically to mean creating a significant emotional impact).
• “Break into” (to begin playing a chord in the context of a song or performance).
• “Lay down” (to establish a chord progression or rhythm in a musical composition).
• “Build up” (to increase the complexity or tension of a chord progression).
• “Fill in” (to add chords or harmony to a musical arrangement).
• “Chime in” (to add a chord or part to a musical performance).
• “Jazz up” (to add complexity or variation to a basic chord structure).
• “Lay the foundation” (to establish the basic chords or harmony for a piece of music).

Related Idioms:

• “Strike a chord” (to evoke a strong emotional response, often used metaphorically, as when a song or chord connects with someone).
• “Find the right chord” (to identify the correct musical or emotional tone).
• “Hit the wrong chord” (to make a mistake or misstep, both musically and metaphorically).
• “Out of tune” (to sing or play out of harmony with the established chord structure).
• “A note of discord” (a moment of disagreement or tension, often used metaphorically to refer to a dissonant sound in music).
• “On the same wavelength” (to be in harmony or agreement, similar to a chord in music).
• “Play second fiddle” (to take a subordinate role, as if playing a secondary part in a musical arrangement).
• “Sing in harmony” (to work together smoothly, as in music where voices harmonize with the chords).
• “Make beautiful music” (to create harmony or work well together, often used metaphorically in relationships or teamwork).
• “Strum the wrong chord” (to make a mistake or create a dissonant situation in a metaphorical sense).