Polychords

Root

C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B

Chord

Major Minor Diminished Augmented Major 7th Dominant 7th Minor 7th Half Diminished 7th Diminished 7th Suspended 2 Suspended 4 Major 6th Minor 6th

Octave

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Inversion

Root 1st 2nd 3rd

C Major (Root Position)

Formula

1 3 5

Symbols

C, CM, Cmaj

Notes

C4, E4, G4

Inversion

Root Position

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C Major selected

A polychord is a chord made up of two or more separate chords played at the same time. Polychords are a useful tool for creating complex harmonies.

To create a polychord, two separate chords are played simultaneously. For example, playing an Eb major chord over a C Major chord creates a polychord known as an Eb major over C Major chord. Polychords are commonly written as two chords separately with a horizontal line between them.

Polychords can be used as a simpler way to conceptualize chords. By playing the notes of the C Major Chord and the Eb Major Chord, you’re actually playing a C7#9.

Instead of thinking, “I need to play a C7#9” you can think, “I need to play an Eb chord over a C chord”, which for some people is an easier and quicker way to mentally process the chord.

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