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1.53 chord

ES: acorde, I: accordo, F: accord, D: Akkord, NL: akkoord, DK: akkord, S: ackord, FI: sointu.

Two or more tones sounding simultaneously. In traditional European music the base chord is a triad consisting of two thirds. Major (major + minor third) as well as minor (minor + major third) chords may be extended with more thirds. Four-tone seventh chords and five-tone ninth major chords are most often used as dominants (functional harmony). Chords having no third above the lower notes to define their mood are a special case called ‘open chords’. The lack of the middle third means their quality is ambivalent – neither major nor minor.

See also

functional harmony, interval, inversion, quality, third.