Success Music Studio

What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean - Abba

What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean?

Facebook
Twitter

Estimated reading time 2 minutes

Table of Contents

Introduction

Are you unclear about what harmony is? Do you want to know how it works? Harmony is a major subcategory of music theory that helps musicians to understand how notes should go together. This in turn impacts how they arrange their music. Keep reading What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean? to learn how it works.

This article uses technical musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.

What is a Parallel Mode and How Does it Work - Sheet Music Keyboard - Is the Suzuki Music Methodology Bad for Learning Piano - How Can I Learn the Basics of Music Theory - What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean - What Exactly Do I Do with the Circle of Fifths

What Does the Term Harmony Mean in Music?

“What exactly is a chord and what does the term harmony mean?” First, let’s define harmony:

  • It’s the study of how musical tones sound when played together at the same time.

It encompasses:

  • Harmonic intervals (two notes)
  • Triads (three notes)
  • Seventh chords (four notes)
  • Extensions such as ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths (five notes or more)
  • Also, it deals with how notes interact together while moving in time.

Even when using just triads, vocal arrangements will typically have four parts:

  • This style is called SATB writing.
  • SATB stands for: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.
  • The sopranos are the high women’s voices, the altos are the low women, the tenors are the high men, and the basses are the low men.

For an example, see the simulated choir below.

Mobile users: for best results reading the music, tilt your screen 90o to the right.

How to Harmonize in Minor Keys - E Minor Chorus - What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean

Simulated Choir Performing in the Key of E Minor:

For an explanation of shape note notation:

How Do I Switch from Singing Shaped Notes to Standard Notation - Boys Choir - How Do I Switch from Minor Key Shaped Notes to Standard Notation - Singing Shape Notes Solfege Ionian Melodies - What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean - What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean

Chords and Harmony Meaning Compared

“What Exactly is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean?” Next, let’s define chords:

  • It has almost the same meaning as the word harmony. That is, notes played at the same time.
  • However, harmonic intervals aren’t usually considered to be chords.
  • Why? Because chords almost always have three or more notes.

As an example, these are the triads in the key of C major:

Can Someone Explain Roman Numeral Analysis in Layman's Terms for Me - Triads Key of C - Tonic vs. Root in Music Theory - The C Major Scale (Including the C Major Chord Scale) - Whats the Secret of Practicing Arpeggios

When triads are played in a sequence, we call it a chord progression:

  • We can analyze them using Roman numerals.
  • Also, triads can be major, minor, augmented, or diminished.
  • If the notes in a triad are played melodically one at a time, we call it an arpeggio.
Changing Keys in Your Songwriting - Triads Voice Leading Key of C line 1 - What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean
Changing Keys in Your Songwriting - Triads Voice Leading Key of C line 2 - What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean

C Major Triads:

How to Color Code Musical Diagrams - Guitar Chords - The G Major Scale (Including the G Major Chord Scale) - The C Major Scale (Including the C Major Chord Scale) - What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean - How to Play the Easy Beginner Guitar F Chord Without a Barre

Final Thoughts on “What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean?”

Here’s a summary of What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean?

  1. Both terms refer to groups of simultaneously sounding notes.
  2. Understanding triads is useful for writing and arranging songs.
  3. Plus, they can be analyzed using Roman numerals.

Related Posts:

© 2024 Geoffrey Keith

Newsletter Signup

Join me for in-person or online lessons today!

Back to the All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics category blogs page

Back to the Successful Music Student Blogs page

Glossary

Singing Shape Note Solfege Phrygian Melodies - Singers in Red Capes

Singing Shape Note Solfege Phrygian Melodies

Have you ever wanted to sing Mediterranean music or ancient melodies? Do you want to know how to perform modal music? Modes create the feel of exotic music from around the world and from ancient times. “Singing Shape Note Solfege Phrygian Melodies” will help you discover the world of modes. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Read More
Why is Classical Music Interpreted Differently from Pop Music - Ludwig van Beethoven Bust - Beethoven (Why Did He Keep Composing After Deafness) - Singing Beethoven’s Beautiful Ode to Joy

Why is Classical Music Interpreted Differently from Pop Music? Part 3

“Why is classical music interpreted differently from pop music?” Interpretation has a very important role in performing classical music. This doesn’t mean that interpretation can’t be important in pop music. However, classical artists seem to be very aware of the process of how to interpret a piece of music. You can be too. Read more to learn how it works. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

Read More
Singing Sixteenth Note Rhythmic Syllables - Girl Singing - Singing Shape Note Harmonic Minor Melodies - Can I Learn Singing on the Piano?

Singing Sixteenth Note Rhythmic Syllables

Have you gotten down reading the easier rhythmic syllables, but want to learn more? As you progress, you will hear that the added rhythm makes performing melodies much more fun. Read more to learn about singing sixteenth note rhythmic syllables. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

Read More
Learning Differences and Spatial Ability - Dream Big

Learning Differences and Spatial Ability: Part 1

Has your child has been diagnosed with a learning disability? Do you feel confused because your child is so smart, but still struggles to learn? Read more to learn about learning differences and spatial ability. Estimated reading time 6 minutes.

Read More