Akordi

Akordi is a term used in music theory in several languages to denote chords—the vertical combinations of notes that sound simultaneously to form harmony. In many traditions, akordi are built from a scale and function as the harmonic backbone of melodies, providing tension and resolution within a musical piece.

The most common type of akord is the triad, formed by stacking two intervals of a third on a root note: a major triad (root, major third, perfect fifth) and a minor triad (root, minor third, perfect fifth). There are also diminished and augmented triads, which alter the fifth interval to create different sonic colors. Chords can be played in root position or in inversions, where one of the upper notes becomes the lowest note sounding.

Beyond triads, akordi can include seventh chords (adding a seventh interval), such as major seventh, dominant seventh, minor seventh, and half-diminished seventh. Extended chords add further tones—ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths—producing richer textures. Chords often appear in progressions, where a sequence of akordi moves toward a sense of cadence or resolution.

Notation and analysis typically describe akordi by their root and quality (for example, C major, A minor, G7). In harmonic practice, the function of a chord within a progression (tonic, dominant, subdominant) helps determine voice leading and the overall mood of the piece.

In practice, akordi are central to Western classical, jazz, and popular music, while other musical traditions may rely differently on harmony and texture. Still, the concept of chords as simultaneous pitches remains a foundational element of most musical systems.