Chordtone

Chordtone refers to any note that is part of a particular chord. When a chord is played or sounded, the individual notes that constitute that chord are called its chordtones. For example, in a C major chord, the notes C, E, and G are the chordtones. If an F were added, creating a C major seventh chord, then F would also be a chordtone. The concept is fundamental to understanding harmony in music.

In most Western tonal music, chords are built by stacking intervals, typically thirds, above a root note. The resulting notes are the primary chordtones. For a triad (a three-note chord), the chordtones are the root, the third, and the fifth. For a seventh chord, a seventh is added, and for ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords, further intervals are added, all of which become chordtones. Understanding which notes are chordtones is crucial for improvisation, composition, and analysis, as they form the harmonic foundation of a piece. Non-chordtones, in contrast, are notes that do not belong to the chord being played, and their use can create tension or color.