chordal

[ kawr-dl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a chord.
2. of or relating to music that is marked principally by vertical harmonic movement rather than by linear polyphony.

Other Words From

• pre·chordal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chordal¹

First recorded in 1610–20; chord ² + -al ¹

Example Sentences

On its 1990s albums, Matthews’s guitar — often acoustic — was the band’s only chordal instrument, joined in light-fingered counterpoint by saxophone, violin, bass and drums for staccato grooves that blended folk, funk and jazz.

From New York Times

This is originally a piano solo, yet Sorey’s skittering cymbal work was closely attuned to the score, his floor toms tuned to highlight the densest chordal moments in Tao’s interpretation of the notated material.

From New York Times

But as the chordal relationships change, Krimsky incorporates jazz locomotion, gradually and naturally.

From New York Times

When Delaney first asks how she patterns a particularly complex chordal progression, she responds simply: “It was easy. Orange and teal go together.”

From Washington Post

The piece “hushing,” by inti figgis-vizueta, played out over archival video of Tender as a child; the intense chordal pounding of the piece had the feel of eerie, silent-film piano accompaniment.

From New York Times