chordfirst

Chordfirst is a term used in music theory and composition to describe a workflow that prioritizes harmonic structure before melodic content. In a chordfirst approach, a composer begins by establishing a provisional chord progression—emphasizing functional harmony and clear voice leading—and only then writes melodies or countermelodies that fit the established chords. The goal is to create a stable harmonic scaffold that guides rhythm, texture, and motivic development.

In practice, chordfirst often involves selecting a key and mood, drafting a sequence of chords with attention to cadences and common progression types, and then crafting melodies that align with the chord tones and permitted non-chord tones. This method is used in teaching to illuminate functional harmony, and in genres such as film scoring and certain forms of popular music where harmonic pacing can be tied to scene timing or mood transitions.

Chordfirst is typically contrasted with melody-first approaches, where the melodic line is conceived before the harmony. In some workflows, composers blend the two perspectives, drafting chords that accommodate an emerging melody or adjusting melodies to reveal new harmonic possibilities. The choice between chordfirst and alternative methods often reflects stylistic goals, genre conventions, and the desired balance between harmonic coherence and melodic invention.

Critics of a rigid chordfirst method argue that it can lead to predictable progressions and constrain creativity, while supporters contend that it enhances structural clarity and provides a useful framework for arranging, orchestration, and collaborative scoring. Related concepts include harmony, chord progression, voice leading, and the broader study of form in music.