Guitar Glossary: Chord

Chord

A group of four notes played together. A C major chord consists of C, E, G and C. These are built on triads, composed of the I, III, and V notes (with a flattened III for minors) and have an additional root note added to create a fuller sound. The word isn't always used this pedantically, however, and a triad without the additional root note is also often referred to as a chord.