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A chord tone is a note that belongs to the structure of a chord. In a basic triad, the chord tones are the root, the third and the fifth.
What is a chord tone?
Chord tones are the notes that define the harmony of a chord. For example, the notes C, E and G are the chord tones of a C major chord.
Notes that are not part of the chord are called non-chord tones. If a chord is extended, such as Cmaj7, the added note B also becomes a chord tone in that harmonic context.
How are chord tones used in piano playing?
Chord tones provide stability and help melodies fit naturally with the underlying harmony. When improvising or creating fills, landing on a chord tone usually produces a strong and satisfying musical result.
Many piano players use chord tones as musical “anchor points.” Between these stable notes, you can add passing notes and other melodic ideas to create movement while still sounding connected to the harmony.