ALTERED CHORD Meaning and
Definition
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An altered chord is a type of chord in music that deviates from its original or basic structure by modifying one or more of its notes. It is often used to introduce tension or create unique harmonic color in a piece of music. The alteration in the chord can involve either raising or lowering one or more of its individual notes, typically by a half step or semitone.
The purpose of an altered chord is to add dissonance and create a sense of harmonic instability. This dissonance can create tension and anticipation in the listener, which can then be resolved by transitioning to a more stable chord. Altered chords are commonly used in jazz and other contemporary genres, where they are utilized to bring richness and complexity to harmonic progressions.
Altered chords can be categorized by the specific alterations made to their notes. The most common alterations include raising or lowering the fifth (b5 or #5), raising or lowering the ninth (b9 or #9), raising or lowering the eleventh (#11 or b11), and raising or lowering the thirteenth (b13 or #13). These alterations create tension and dissonance when applied to the original chord, making them an important tool for composers and musicians seeking to add complexity and interest to their music.
In conclusion, an altered chord is a modification of a basic chord structure by raising or lowering one or more of its notes, often used to introduce tension and dissonance in music.
Common Misspellings for ALTERED CHORD
- zltered chord
- sltered chord
- wltered chord
- qltered chord
- aktered chord
- aptered chord
- aotered chord
- alrered chord
- alfered chord
- algered chord
- alyered chord
- al6ered chord
- al5ered chord
- altwred chord
- altsred chord
- altdred chord
- altrred chord
- alt4red chord
- alt3red chord
- alteeed chord
Etymology of ALTERED CHORD
The word "altered" in the term "altered chord" comes from the verb "alter", which means to change or modify. In music theory, an altered chord refers to a chord in which one or more of its notes are altered or changed from their original diatonic form. These alterations typically involve raising or lowering certain pitch degrees within the chord. The term "altered chord" has been commonly used in music for several centuries, and its etymology stems from the English language.
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