Factor (chord)

This article is about music. For Geodesics, see Geodesic dome#Chord factors.

Fifth (G), in red, of a C major chord ( Play (help·info)).

Seventh (F) of a third inversion dominant seventh chord in C (G7) ( Play (help·info)).

Dominant thirteenth extended chord: C E G B♭ D F A  play (help·info). The upper structure or extensions, i.e. notes beyond the seventh, in red (ninth, eleventh, thirteenth).

In music, a factor or chord factor is a member or component of a chord. These are named root, third, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, eleventh, thirteenth, and so on, for their generic interval above the root.^[1] In harmony, the consonance and dissonance of a chord factor and a nonchord tone are distinguished, respectively^[2].

Chord factors are taken into consideration in voicing and voice leading. A chord contains as many factors as it contains separate notes, thus a chord with three pitches has three factors, even if some of those pitches are doubled or omitted.

The chord factor that is in the bass determines the inversion. For example, if the third is in the bass it is a first inversion chord (${}^6_3$) while if the seventh is in the bass the chord is in third inversion (${}^4_2$).

See also

• Sixth chord
• Triad (music)

Sources

1. ^ O'Toole, Patricia (2003). Shaping Sound Musicians, p.368. ISBN 1579992110.
2. ^ Ostransky, Leroy (1977). Understanding Jazz, p.91. ISBN 0139365427.