A chord is the sound produced when several notes are played at the same time. It is written with symbols such as C, Am, or G7, and it supports the brightness, the tension, and the direction of a song. If the melody is a single line, the chords are the background or the scenery that supports it.
Single notes and chords
A single note sounds only one pitch at a time, as in a sung melody, a bass, or one note on a guitar. A chord layers several notes, so it creates a richer color than a single note. Playing C, E, and G together, for example, gives a C major chord.
How are chords built?
Basic chords are built by stacking every other note from a scale. Three notes make a triad, and stacking further notes on top gives you seventh chords and beyond. Even with the same root, the notes you stack decide whether it is major, minor, diminished, or something else.
Their role in songwriting
Chords are not only for building accompaniment. They affect which note a melody can move to naturally, where the bass goes, and where the song settles. Arranging chords in order is covered in chord progression.
Getting started in a DAW
Line up three notes at the same position in the piano roll and you can try a chord straight away. At first use only the white keys of C major, and listen to the differences between basic chords such as C, F, G, and Am. If your DAW has chord pads or a chord track, you can check the candidates as you enter them.
Learn the sounds by ear first
Memorizing chord names and being able to tell chords apart by ear are different skills. Playing while you notice the bright and open feeling, the slightly shadowed feeling, and the feeling of wanting to return will connect theory to songwriting.
