Chord (music)

In music and music theory, a chord (from the middle English cord, short for accord) is three or more different notes or pitches sounding simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, over a period of time. For example, if you simultaneously play any three (or more) keys of a piano, you have just played a chord. Likewise, if you simultaneously play three or more strings of a guitar, you have just played a chord on the guitar. Every chord is given a specific name, based on the notes that constitute the chord and the distances, or intervals, between them.

Neapolitan sixth chord

The Neapolitan sixth chord is a major triad with the lowered supertonic scale degree as its root. The chord is referred to as a "sixth" because it is almost always found in first inversion (first inversions being traditionally named like this, from their characteristic interval of a sixth from the bass). Though a technically accurate roman numeral analysis would be bII6, it is generally labelled N6. In C major, the chord is spelled (assuming root position) D flat, F, A flat.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Because it uses lowered altered tones, this chord is often grouped with the borrowed chords. However, the chord is not borrowed from the parallel major or minor, and may appear in both major and minor keys.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~