Root

In music, the root (basse fondamentale) of a chord is the note or pitch upon which such a chord is built or hierarchically centered. This centricity is present in Western music, and its verbal labeling is a basic skill for the musically trained. When the root is the bass note, or lowest note, of the expressed chord, the chord is in root position. This may also be described as in normal form, as opposed to inverted form. When the root is not the l... more

In music, the root (basse fondamentale) of a chord is the note or pitch upon which such a chord is built or hierarchically centered. This centricity is present in Western music, and its verbal labeling is a basic skill for the musically trained. When the root is the bass note, or lowest note, of the expressed chord, the chord is in root position. This may also be described as in normal form, as opposed to inverted form. When the root is not the lowest pitch played in a chord, it is inverted. Conventionally, the name of the note which is the root is used to denote the chord. Thus, a major chord built upon C is a C Major chord. Starting with Rameau, the analysis and theory of tonal music usually treats the roots as the defining feature of chords and much information can be gained from a progression of roots even if chord inversions are unknown. Also, if the key is known then the chord qualities are known for each root in simple music. In a root progression, the most familiar form of... less