What Is a Chord?
A single note is just a pitch. Two notes make an interval. Add one more, and something new happens — you get a chord, the building block of harmony.
The simple definition
A chord is three or more notes sounded together. Play just one note, and it's a pitch. Play two, and you get an interval. Add a third note, and you cross into chord territory — the notes start to blend into a single harmonic color rather than a simple distance.
Single note → interval → chord
Try it yourself below: play just the root, then add a second note to hear an interval, then a third to hear a full triad chord.
How chords get their names
A chord's name is built from two parts: the root (its lowest/foundational note) and the quality (major, minor, diminished, augmented, or an extension like a 7th). "C major," "D minor," and "G7" are all chord names following that pattern — learn more in Major, Minor, Diminished & Augmented Triads.
Common questions
What is a chord?
Three or more notes sounded together. The simplest is a triad: a root, a third, and a fifth.
Is two notes played together a chord?
Not technically — that's an interval (or "dyad"). Chords are reserved for three or more simultaneous notes.
How do chords get their names?
A root note plus a quality: "C major," "D minor," "G7." Extra numbers describe notes added further up in thirds.
What is the difference between a chord and a scale?
A scale is notes played one after another (melodically); a chord is notes played together (harmonically), usually built from a scale's notes.
Play every chord on your instrument
Melody Monkey visualizes chords on a live guitar, bass, ukulele, or piano — in any key, instantly.
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