AThree or more notes played one after another in sequence
BThree or more notes played at the same time
CAny two notes played together
DA melody with harmony underneath
A chord is specifically three or more notes sounding simultaneously. Notes played in sequence are called arpeggios, not chords.
Question 2 True / False
Major chords and minor chords sound the same.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
Major chords sound bright, open, and stable, while minor chords sound darker, more tense, and sometimes sad. The difference comes from the specific intervals that make up each chord.
Question 3 Multiple Choice
What is a triad?
AA three-part musical form
BThree musicians playing together
CA chord built by stacking three notes
DA scale with three notes
A triad is the most basic type of chord, made of three notes stacked in a specific pattern. Major and minor triads are the foundation of harmonic understanding.
Question 4 True / False
A chord is the vertical arrangement of notes, while a melody is notes played one at a time in sequence.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: True
This correctly describes the fundamental difference: chords are simultaneous (vertical), and melodies are sequential (horizontal).
Question 5 Short Answer
Explain the relationship between chords and melody using an analogy.
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: Chords are like the foundation and walls of a building that support a melody, which is like the roof or the structure we see first. Or: melody is like the main actor in a play, and chords are like the stage set and scenery that support and enhance the performance.
A good answer uses an analogy or metaphor to show that chords provide harmonic support and context for the melody, making the music fuller and more expressive.