Chords & Harmony

A half cadence is a musical phrase that ends on a relatively unstable chord, usually the dominant, creating a sense of continuation rather than closure. It is a fundamental tool in Western tonal harmony for shaping musical direction.

A triad is a three‑note chord built from stacked thirds, forming the basic harmonic unit in Western music. Its quality—major, minor, diminished, or augmented—determines its emotional character and functional role within a key.

A deceptive cadence is a harmonic progression that subverts the expected resolution from the dominant chord to the tonic, typically moving to the vi chord instead. It creates surprise and prolongs tension, and is a staple of tonal music from the Baroque era to contemporary pop.

A chord inversion rearranges the order of notes so that a note other than the root occupies the lowest pitch. This technique is fundamental to voice leading, harmonic variety, and bass‑line movement across many musical styles.

A major seventh chord is a four‑note harmony built from a major triad plus a major seventh interval above the root. It is common in jazz, pop, and classical music for its lush, slightly tense sound.

A plagal cadence is a harmonic progression that moves from the subdominant (IV) to the tonic (I) chord, often heard at the end of hymns and folk songs. It creates a softer, more gentle resolution than the dominant‑tonic authentic cadence.

A chord is a simultaneous sounding of three or more distinct pitches, creating harmony in Western music. Chords serve as the building blocks of progressions, shaping the emotional contour of a piece.

An extended chord is a harmony that adds tones beyond the seventh—such as ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths—to create richer color and tension in music.

A seventh chord is a four‑note harmony built by adding a seventh interval to a basic triad. It comes in several varieties—major, dominant, minor, half‑diminished, and fully diminished—each with distinct tonal functions.

A major chord is a three‑note triad consisting of a root, a major third, and a perfect fifth. It forms the foundation of much Western harmony and is recognized for its bright, stable sound.