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6.1.4
Chord Definition and Single Tone Comparison of Properties

By definition, a chord is three or more notes played or sung simultaneously. When you hear a major triad, your brain interprets it as a single, unified sound, even though the chord consists of three different pitches. The phenomenon of a unified “chord” sound is analogous to the unified “tone” sound you hear when someone plucks or plays a single note (Table 34).

TABLE 34 Comparing the Properties of a Single Tone with the Properties of a Chord (Major or Minor Triad)

A Single Tone ...

A Chord (Major or Minor Triad) ...

Consists of a fundamental tone plus a series of overtones at higher pitches. Consists of a root note (so-called because it’s the chord’s lowest note, scale degree 1) plus additional notes (scale degrees 3 and 5) at higher pitches (in the chord’s “root” position).
Most of the overtones are different notes from the fundamental (i.e., not in an octave relationship). The other notes of the chord are different notes from the root (i.e., not in an octave relationship).
The fundamental and all the overtones occur simultaneously. The root and the other notes are played or sung simultaneously (usually).
Although you don’t hear the separate overtones, your brain nevertheless recognizes and processes them. recognizes and processes them. Although you don’t hear the notes as separate pitches, your brain nevertheless recognizes and processes them.
The overtones create “tone color,” which enables you to distinguish the difference between the sound of, say, a guitar, from the sound of a piano. Sounded together, the notes of the triad create “harmony,” which imparts a feeling of color and depth to music.
Without the context of a key, the sound of a tone is “at rest"—no tension. Without the context of a key, the sound of a triad is balanced and stable—no tension.

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