chordal

American  

[kawr-dl] / ˈkɔr 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.

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Other Word Forms

• prechordal adjective

Etymology

Origin of chordal

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

Example Sentences

Less so is Nina Barzegar, whose world premiere “Inexorable Passage” was thrilling in its fusion of experimental, extended-technique effects, as well as melodic and chordal inventions.

From New York Times • Oct. 16, 2022

“I’ve always just been drawn to melodies and chordal structures that were unexpected,” she said.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2022

But for a beguiling four-note theme in the first movement and a handful of charitable segues into fleeting chordal consensus, there was plenty of current but not a lot of raft.

From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2021

But beyond the center, when the quartet plays in unison or in thick chordal passages, is a freer energy on the fringes, almost like the sun with its corona.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2019

But for Josquin, chordal harmony was too useful a tool in illuminating the text to worry about its effect on the modes.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall