Questions tagged [chords]
For general questions about chords like how to play them, construct them, or what symbols represent them. For more in depth analysis of the ideas behind chords themselves, please use the chord-theory tag.
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How to harmonize ^1 ^2 ^3 with VI V i in minor
I tried my best to harmonize this in minor and the best I could come up with was a VI without a 5th and a doubled 3rd. I am not sure if this is right. And did I write the doubled F correctly in the VI ...
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Homework question on identifying a key from a V triad
I am working through the ABRSM Discovering Music Theory Grade 4 book. I appear to have found an unanswerable question, unless I have misunderstood something. It's Section 7, Exercise 3, question k, ...
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What's wrong with my harmonic analysis?
Similar to my last post, I'm having trouble looking for my mistakes here. The big red 2 means I have 2 mistakes apparently but I don't know which ones are wrong. Or maybe I have more mistakes? Please ...
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Do chords introduce interference/beating?
Is it correct to state that any chords (or most of them), while playing, create Beating/Interference effect?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_(acoustics)
Since semitones are not integer ratio, it ...
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Help me correct/understand the harmonic analysis of this
Am I missing something here? (Note: the circled notes aren't included so we just ignore that. I'm only trying to analyze the rest.) In measure 8 (the second measure in the below excerpt), after Em, I ...
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D major in F major progression?
So i've started new in music theory and i'm guessing the chords to this neo oriental song and i've noticed that the chord progression goes like: Gm - F - Bb - D(hammer on G note (Dsus4))
and it seemed ...
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Can someone explain what an imperfect authentic cadence is? What are the requirements to make this?
I don't really fully understand what an imperfect authentic cadence is. I was told that if the chords are inverted, then it's considered an IAC. Or maybe the melody can be 4–3, etc. I just need an ...
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Would it be incorrect to play the open E (6th string) for the C major chord?
The notes are C E G. I play 2 Cs (5th and 2nd), 2 Es (4th and 1st) and 1 G on the 3rd string.
Would it be incorrect if I included the lower E, playing the 6th string open as well?
Would it not enrich ...
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Triads derived from the different types of minor scales
"The type of triad on each degree of a minor scale is the same for every harmonic and melodic minor scale" in TCL grade 6 theory. What is meant by this?
I guess the types of chords are major,...
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Why do some extended chords have three added notes?
As I understand it, a basic chord is built of three notes, which can be harmonized in different octaves. It's always the first, third, and fifth to make up a basic chord.
An extended chord then adds a ...
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For a better understanding of scale harmonization
I'm pretty much a newbie in music, and I wanted to ear train a little, to be able to improvize with my guitar. So I learned what I thought to be the minimum before that : major scales, minor scales (...
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Are diminished chords always minor chords?
Hello there,
This might seem like a silly question, but I've been practicing diminished chords, and I've not seen any minor diminished chord being labelled specifically with its minor indication. Is ...
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How is a part consisting of 4 repeating chords called?
E.g. in the INXS number Near Tear Us Apart there are 4 measures (in the intro/verse) that are repeated continuously (Am7 Fadd9 Dm F). However, in many songs verses/choruses are build up of a repeat of ...
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How come music using the same chord progression can sound so different?
How come music using the same chord progression can sound so different? A lot of Japanese pop songs use 4 popular chord progressions, but how come these songs can come in such a large variety and ...
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Jazz vs Classical interpretation of this V7c vs iv-m6 chord in a common chord progress?
Here is a progression in a song I am playing
On the 3rd beat of the second measure there is a Dm6 or G9/D chord (or B half diminished first inversion): at least that's what Carl Kress is playing ...
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Tritone substitution to a major chord?
I'm relatively new to jazz theory and I've been working through the book, Hal Leonard Guitar Method: Jazz Guitar by Jeff Schroedl. In it he describes a tritone substitution as a "V, ii(II), or vi(...
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Is a phrygian cadence iv6 - V or can it also be VI - V?
I have always thought that a phrygian cadence was VI - V but I now read that it is actually iv6 - V. Can both be used?
user35708
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formal and harmonic analysis : Bortkiewicz op.40 n.4
I am trying to analyze a Bortkiewicz prelude, op. 40 n.4 in F# major, but I have some doubts.
I divided the prelude into three parts:
part A (bars 1-11)
part B (bars 12-20)
part A' (bar 21-29)
coda (...
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Is a figured bass symbol supposed to show a raised 6th scale degree?
I am harmonizing this figured bass
Please look at the E note where the blue arrow is pointing. I have raised this note because otherwise there would be an aug 2nd leap to the F#. Can someone please ...
user35708
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What chord is "A7+4"?
That's how it's notated and I think it's a really unusual notation. Could that be a synonymous notation for "A7sus4"?
The key signature is E-flat.
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Doubts about a diminished fourth - op. 40 Bortkiewicz
I have a doubt about a musical analysis that I found on an italian book. The author wrote that in the final part of the Prelude n.2 op. 40 by Sergej Bortkiewicz, there is a repetition of the tonic ...
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Help me hear Am7 as a minor chord
I recognize that Am7 (A-C-E-G) is considered a minor chord because, when stacked as thirds, the A is on the bottom.
But I cannot make my ear perceive it as a minor chord out of context. To me it ...
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What is the difference between a chord and a triad on a piano -( or any instrument capable of playing multiple notes simultaneously)?
I do not understand the difference between a chord and a triad. Are they the same thing or do they have differences? (i.e. Cmaj. chord v.s. Cmaj. triad)
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Is there a non-verbose way to notate finger sustained notes in LilyPond?
I recently started learning LilyPond and am trying to notate finger sustained notes as described in Is there piano notation for finger sustained notes (as opposed to pedal sustain)?. I would be fine ...
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What does a suspended chord mean on piano?
My friend tells me a suspended chord means you hold down the sustain pedal but that doesn't sound right... Can someone help?
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Are augmented-sixth chords ever taught as being "rooted" on the raised fourth scale degree?
In my experience, augmented-sixth chords are given "national" names. In C, for example, A♭–C–F♯ is an Italian augmented sixth.
Are there other traditions that teach/view this as being a ...
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When She Loved Me: Decorative Chords alternatives on (Add2)
This is the middle part of "When She Loved Me," in Toy Story 2 sung by Sarah McLachlan.
P.S. See this for example for the piano.
The chord progression goes twice as:
Em7b5 -> A/C# - > ...
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When She Loved Me: Opening Chord progression - replace the 3rd chord from G7/B to Bdim or Bb?
This is the opening chord progression of "When She Loved Me," in Toy Story 2, sung by Sarah McLachlan. See a related question.
The chord progression goes like:
Dm -> AmC -> G7/B -> ...
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When arranging/transcribing a song, how do know what chords are being played? [duplicate]
I'd like to arrange a song that doesn't have or has little guitar onto fingerstyle guitar. Finding individual notes is tedious but simple, but how do you find chords, especially when it's not even the ...
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When She Loved Me ToyStory 2 Sarah McLachlan: The two versions of the phrasing and counterpoints of melodies
The two versions of the phrasing and counterpoints of melodies are from "When She Loved Me", ToyStory 2, Sarah McLachlan.
See this for example for the piano:
...
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Note designs on the 10 hole major diatonic harmonica [duplicate]
Here is the typical note design on 10 holes major diatonic harmonica in C major:
I have a few questions:
Why there is a G key in the 2nd draw and the 3rd blow? But it omits the F key? also omits the ...
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Are the higher octave notes required in the chords for Hilda's theme song?
I'm trying to teach myself the theme song for the Netflix original show, Hilda:
With that, I used Chordify to confirm and deny my suspicions for the chords involved:
...
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How to get other chords of same key? [duplicate]
In the key of C major, the C major chord is the first, third and fifth note of the major scale.
In the key of D minor, the D minor chord is the first, third and fifth note of the minor scale.
As you ...
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Do the inversions of V7 always support the other 3 tones of the chord?
Since you can only use 4 notes in 4 part writing and the inversions of V7 must be complete then is it correct to say that
V65 supports ^5 ^2 and ^4
V43 supports ^7 ^4 and ^5
V42 supports ^5 ^7 and ^2
...
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What purpose do chords serve in music?
I'm a complete beginner to music theory and have recently been learning a few basics.
One thing I can't wrap my mind around are chords, and to a certain extent, chord progressions. I know how they are ...
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How to synchronize fingers/notes in piano chords
I'm getting back into piano (background: trained in classical from age 4 to 14; finished RCM 7) and am having some trouble synchronizing my solid chords, particularly with sharps/flats using my pinky.
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Best way to harmonize cadential 3^ 1^ in the soprano
I am trying to harmonize a melody I wrote and am stuck at the end. I like the 3^ over the bass, but what chord should it be? I64? iii?
Also, what other improvements could be made?
user35708
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LilyPond - How do I create a ChordName context that can stack or show multiple ChordNames simultaneously?
Suppose I have one melody line that is repeated (e.g., singing multiple verses), but the chords should be different the second and third times through. I want these to be defined in their own ...
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What harmonic idea is being used in Measures 9-12 and 17-19 in "Recuerdos De La Alhambra? "
I have done some harmonic analysis on Francisco Tárrega's “Recuerdos De La Alhambra”, as you can see below. Most of it makes sense to me, but there are sections in measures 9-12 and 17-19 that the ...
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Jazz piano, chords: planning ahead
I’m an aspiring jazz pianist, playing tunes without sight reading of any kind (once I’ve learned it), in ensembles and solo.
I have for long had the problem that my chords are staggering. Once I’ve ...
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What to do with my left hand when jamming with other musicians?
So I'm an intermediate-ish keyboard player who's been playing very irregularly for the past three years, all self taught. I have recently started taking it more seriously and found a group of people I ...
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Do the music examination bodies like trinity mandate playing the triads with with only (5-3-1) in Left Hand and (1-3-5) in Right Hand?
My music teacher has always told me to use only pinky, middle finger and thumb (5-3-1) while practicing the triad chords. Though I am trying to use it, it becomes difficult on the black keys. ...
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Is there a common labeling system for tritone substitutions?
Imagine the following progression:
C F D♭7 C
We typically just explain that third chord as a tritone substitution—and we stop there!—but this must be maddening for beginners, because we aren't ...
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Is it always necessary to include the root in a slash chord?
Is it always necessary to include the root in a slash chord?
I see slash chords sometimes that do not contain the root note. Is it conventional to do that in certain contexts? Here is an example.
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How to guess notes of the song once I have the chords? [duplicate]
I am new to Piano / Keyboard. Recently, I came across this app called Chord AI, and it beautifully recognises chord of any song !
Now, I have the chords available. But, it is not enough right ? I have ...
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When to use 6/9 chords instead of seventh chords
I'm learning jazz piano from the internet, and recently I learned comping the song 'But Not For Me' with a walking bass in the left hand and the harmony in the right hand. In the tutorial, my teacher ...
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Can an I64 CHORD go to a V chord as a cadence?
So in a cadence, is it allowed to use a I64 chord to go to a V chord as a Half Cadence?
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The "TADA!" sound effect sounds wrong when I play it
It's obviously very much a beginner's question. While attempting to play this "TADA" sound effect, I noticed that on the website it's written just C. But when I press C twice it does not ...
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Newbie Question Open D Tuning
I'm beginner in guitar and music theory, here is my open D tuning question.
Open D is tuned (DADF#AD) on a 6 string guitar. I understand you can barre cords along the frets using the low D string ...
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How do I play this chord with an overlapping sharp and flat?
How do I play this chord (underneath the red arrow in the attached image) that seems to have both D sharp and an E flat? Am I misreading it?
EDIT: the clip is from the piece "Manchega" by ...
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