BROKEN CHORDS

Fundamental Concepts

  • A chord consists of three notes: the root (1), third (3), and fifth (5).

  • A block chord sounds all three notes at the same time.

  • A broken chord breaks up the chord into individual notes and plays them in order.

Below is a C Major chord in both block and broken form. The chord has three notes: C, E, and G. The block chord stacks the three notes on top of each other. The broken chord separates the three notes and plays them from low to high in order.

Isolating The Right Hand

Isolate the right hand by playing the broken chord with the right hand in the treble clef and sustaining a block chord with the left hand in the bass clef.

Isolating The Left Hand

Isolate the left hand by playing the broken chord with the left hand in the bass clef and sustaining a block chord with the right hand in the treble clef.