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

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 • May 22, 2023

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 • Apr. 20, 2023

Not a lot, just some tweaking to make it a little more interesting in a chordal sense.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2022

But Walker’s signature feel for contrast — including alternations between motifs that ring out and peremptory chordal bursts — is still evident.

From New York Times • Jan. 27, 2022

This sounds odd to us, since we take it for granted that the tune of a piece of music sits on top of its chordal accompaniment.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall