Dyad
A two-note chord, whether played together or arpeggiated, forming the simplest harmonic unit on the guitar.
A dyad is any pair of notes, but on guitar it usually means a deliberate two-note shape chosen for its interval: a third, a sixth, an octave, or the hollow root-and-fifth of a power chord. Dyads are useful because they imply harmony without stating a full chord, so they leave room for a singer or another instrument. Rock players favour fifths and octaves for their neutrality, while country and jazz players use thirds and sixths for their warmer, more melodic colour.
Example: A riff built by moving the same root-and-fifth shape around the neck is made entirely of dyads.
See also
Related
- PageDouble stop
- PageInterval
- PageAccent
- PageAction height
- PageAlternate picking
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley
- PageAd-Rock