MusicXML 4.1 Draft
MusicXML 4.1 Draft > MusicXML Reference > Elements > The <chord> element

The <chord> element

Parent element: <note>

chord

The <chord> element indicates that this note is an additional chord tone with the preceding note.

The <duration> of a <chord> note does not move the musical position within a <measure>. That is done by the <duration> of the first preceding note without a <chord> element. Thus the <duration> of a <chord> note cannot be longer than the preceding note.

Notes

In most cases the <duration> will be the same as the preceding note. However it can be shorter in situations such as multiple stops for string instruments. Here is an example from Mozart’s Concerto No. 3 for Violin, K. 216:

chord-multiple-stop

If these first three notes are represented as a chord, the quarter notes must be the ones with the <chord> element.

Content

Always empty.

Attributes

None.

Examples

This element is used in the following examples:

<alter> (Semitones)<arpeggiate><artificial><assess> and <player><beat-repeat><chord><chord> (Multiple Stop)<damp-all><glissando> (Multiple)<non-arpeggiate><pedal> (Symbols)<pluck><staff>Tutorial: Après un rêveTutorial: Chopin PreludeTutorial: Percussion