Chords

Chords are where multiple notes are played at the same time to create a harmony

Chords and chord progressions are used frequently in West African, Oceanic and, Western music. They are abasant from many other parts of the worlds music.

Chords can be defined by the formula used to create them.

For example to formula for a Major chord is 1-4-3.

Each number represents how many semitones or intervals to move up. We'll use the C Major chord as an example.

First we start on the C note, since this is the root note we wont move any intervals.

Then we must move up 4 semitones for our next note. In this case it would be E.

Next we will move up 3 semitones from the previous note. 3 notes up from E would be G. This makes the whole chord C-E-G.

By using this method of counting intervals we are able to use formulars like 1-4-3 to describe the structure of a chord.

Here are the structures of other chord types.

Have a play with these chord stamps below. Just chose the chord you want and click on the piano roll to stamp the chord.