Chord
/kɔːrd/noun
A group of musical notes played at the same time for harmony.
She played a beautiful chord on her guitar.
Often appears as...
- play a chord
- chord progression
noun
A straight line that goes from one point on a circle or sphere to another.
In geometry, a chord is a line segment that connects two points on a curve.
Often appears as...
- chord of a circle
- chord length
Usage tips
Academic
noun
Something that causes a strong emotional reaction.
His remarks struck a chord with many of the voters.
Often appears as...
- strike a chord
- touch a chord
verb
To add chords to a melody in music.
He will chord the melody in preparation for the performance.
Often appears as...
- chord a melody
- chord a song
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A group of musical notes played at the same time for harmony.
She played a beautiful chord on her guitar.
Often appears as...
- play a chord
- chord progression
noun
A straight line that goes from one point on a circle or sphere to another.
In geometry, a chord is a line segment that connects two points on a curve.
Often appears as...
- chord of a circle
- chord length
Usage tips
Academic
noun
Something that causes a strong emotional reaction.
His remarks struck a chord with many of the voters.
Often appears as...
- strike a chord
- touch a chord
verb
To add chords to a melody in music.
He will chord the melody in preparation for the performance.
Often appears as...
- chord a melody
- chord a song
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Harmonic Context
Chord denotes harmony, used metaphorically to suggest agreement or pleasant combination in non-musical contexts too.
Their ideas formed a chord of unity in the team.
Pro Tip 2/2Not Always Melodic
Chords may sometimes clash or sound dissonant, especially in modern music genres.
The composer's use of dissonant chords created a sense of tension.
Compare with
arpeggioharmonyprogressionstrumtonality
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Video examples
How sampling transformed...
their visceral passion talking about music, it definitely stirred something in me, and I'm a sucker for anyone talking devotedly about the power of music. And I started to write down on these little note cards every time I heard something that struck a chord in me, pardon the pun, or something that I thought I could use,
Video examples
How to make discoveries...
theory that have deconstructed music into four hundred elements beats per minute presence of parallel octaves block chords prevalence of harmony Cordle patterning and such and when they do that and they understand the nuance of those ratings they can actually activate a music discovery system that
Video examples
Bryan Stevenson: We need...
I believe we need to do more to help people who are victimized by crime, not do less. And I think our current punishment philosophy does nothing for no one. And I think that's the orientation that we have to change. Bryan, you've struck a massive chord here. You're an inspiring person.
Video examples
Why do we hiccup? - John...
and the opening between them, which is called the glottis. The movement of the diaphragm initiates a sudden intake of air, but the closure of the vocal chords stops it from entering the wind pipe and reaching the lungs. It also creates the characteristic "hic."
Video examples
The Future Of The Oceans...
phrase we don't inherit the earth from our ancestors we borrow it from our grandchildren and for me that really strikes a chord because I want my children to be able to swim with dolphins I want them to be able to dive on a coral reef everybody can make a
Video examples
A new superweapon in the...
As doctors learn how to test patients and understand certain tumor genetic types, they can help us determine which patients can benefit from this strategy and which gene blockers we can use. Ovarian cancer strikes a special chord with me.
Video examples
Group theory 101: How to...
even using a group theory notation indicating turns. And it's not just good for puzzle solving. Group theory is deeply embedded in music, as well. One way to visualize a chord is to write out all twelve musical notes
Video examples
The secrets of Mozart’s...
without question. The second chord is C minor, a sour sonority that mirrors Tamino's sadness and doubt in the middle of the opera. That's when his world and notions of good and evil get turned on their heads.
Video examples
Genius: Aretha Chain of...
well you only got three chords ah we'll make them sound like a million bucks chain change in recognition of all you've done the people of the world hereby crown you queen also
Video examples
The transformative power...
raise your eyebrows, and everybody will know." Right. He gets to E, but it's the wrong chord. Now, he tries E again. That chord doesn't work.
Video examples
How sampling transformed...
their visceral passion talking about music, it definitely stirred something in me, and I'm a sucker for anyone talking devotedly about the power of music. And I started to write down on these little note cards every time I heard something that struck a chord in me, pardon the pun, or something that I thought I could use,
Video examples
How to make discoveries...
theory that have deconstructed music into four hundred elements beats per minute presence of parallel octaves block chords prevalence of harmony Cordle patterning and such and when they do that and they understand the nuance of those ratings they can actually activate a music discovery system that
Video examples
Bryan Stevenson: We need...
I believe we need to do more to help people who are victimized by crime, not do less. And I think our current punishment philosophy does nothing for no one. And I think that's the orientation that we have to change. Bryan, you've struck a massive chord here. You're an inspiring person.
Video examples
Why do we hiccup? - John...
and the opening between them, which is called the glottis. The movement of the diaphragm initiates a sudden intake of air, but the closure of the vocal chords stops it from entering the wind pipe and reaching the lungs. It also creates the characteristic "hic."
Video examples
The Future Of The Oceans...
phrase we don't inherit the earth from our ancestors we borrow it from our grandchildren and for me that really strikes a chord because I want my children to be able to swim with dolphins I want them to be able to dive on a coral reef everybody can make a
Video examples
A new superweapon in the...
As doctors learn how to test patients and understand certain tumor genetic types, they can help us determine which patients can benefit from this strategy and which gene blockers we can use. Ovarian cancer strikes a special chord with me.
Video examples
Group theory 101: How to...
even using a group theory notation indicating turns. And it's not just good for puzzle solving. Group theory is deeply embedded in music, as well. One way to visualize a chord is to write out all twelve musical notes
Video examples
The secrets of Mozart’s...
without question. The second chord is C minor, a sour sonority that mirrors Tamino's sadness and doubt in the middle of the opera. That's when his world and notions of good and evil get turned on their heads.
Video examples
Genius: Aretha Chain of...
well you only got three chords ah we'll make them sound like a million bucks chain change in recognition of all you've done the people of the world hereby crown you queen also
Video examples
The transformative power...
raise your eyebrows, and everybody will know." Right. He gets to E, but it's the wrong chord. Now, he tries E again. That chord doesn't work.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Gil Scott-Heron
American Poet
If you're supposed to be doing something, the spirits will come and help you. They have helped me out with lines I shouldn't have known, chords I shouldn't have known. Every once in a while I get lines from somewhere, and I think, I better write this down.
Quote examples
Gene Wilder
American Actor
I trust if your life is right, the right things will happen at the right time. If the chords are in harmony inside, I think other things will happen in the same way. That sounded highfalutin' to me once, but I believe it now.
Quote examples
Keanu Reeves
Canadian Actor
Sometimes when you make a film you can go away for three months and then come back and live your life. But this struck a much deeper chord. I don't have the ability yet to speak about it in an objective.
Quote examples
John Prine
American Singer
Soon as I could play one guitar chord and laid my ear upon that wood, I was gone. My soul was sold. Music was everything from then on.
Quote examples
Glenn Frey
American Musician
Except for a few guitar chords, everything I've learned in my life that is of any value I've learned from women.
Quote examples
Jaya Prada
Indian Actress
I'm listening to scripts and would like to play characters that'd strike a chord with the masses.
Quote examples
Willie Nelson
American Musician
Three chords and the truth - that's what a country song is.
Quote examples
Neil Innes
British Writer
I used to help Viv with the chords and melodies sometimes.
Quote examples
Jake Shears
American Musician
There are only so many chords and notes in the world.
Quote examples
Harlan Howard
American Musician
Country music is three chords and the truth.
Quote examples
Gil Scott-Heron
American Poet
If you're supposed to be doing something, the spirits will come and help you. They have helped me out with lines I shouldn't have known, chords I shouldn't have known. Every once in a while I get lines from somewhere, and I think, I better write this down.
Quote examples
Gene Wilder
American Actor
I trust if your life is right, the right things will happen at the right time. If the chords are in harmony inside, I think other things will happen in the same way. That sounded highfalutin' to me once, but I believe it now.
Quote examples
Keanu Reeves
Canadian Actor
Sometimes when you make a film you can go away for three months and then come back and live your life. But this struck a much deeper chord. I don't have the ability yet to speak about it in an objective.
Quote examples
John Prine
American Singer
Soon as I could play one guitar chord and laid my ear upon that wood, I was gone. My soul was sold. Music was everything from then on.
Quote examples
Glenn Frey
American Musician
Except for a few guitar chords, everything I've learned in my life that is of any value I've learned from women.
Quote examples
Jaya Prada
Indian Actress
I'm listening to scripts and would like to play characters that'd strike a chord with the masses.
Quote examples
Willie Nelson
American Musician
Three chords and the truth - that's what a country song is.
Quote examples
Neil Innes
British Writer
I used to help Viv with the chords and melodies sometimes.
Quote examples
Jake Shears
American Musician
There are only so many chords and notes in the world.
Quote examples
Harlan Howard
American Musician
Country music is three chords and the truth.
Example 1 of 10
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