“C major is a chord.”
Usage Entry 1469 / 1605 60-second read
Chord vs. Scale
Multiple notes played at once versus a sequence of notes in a key.
The comparisoni
“C major is a SCALE — eight notes in sequence (C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C). A C MAJOR CHORD is three of those notes played simultaneously (C-E-G).”
The ruleii
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CHORD = together. SCALE = sequence.
CHORD: multiple notes sounded simultaneously (often three or more). SCALE: a sequence of notes ascending or descending in a key. The C major chord (C-E-G) is built from the C major scale (C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C).
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Chord vertical, scale horizontal.