--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A chord is just the name of a sound." description: "\"A chord is just the name of a sound.\" — Lester Bowie" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/lester-bowie-20177_chord_a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound-6720_672058.png" --- # A chord is just the name of a sound. ![“A chord is just the name of a sound.” quote by Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/lester-bowie-20177_chord_a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound-6720_672058.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/lester-bowie-20177_chord_a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound-6720_672058.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/lester-bowie-20177_chord_a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound-6720_672058.png) > “A chord is just the name of a sound.” [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A chord is simply a label for a specific combination of notes, not the sound itself. **In simple terms:** A chord names a sound combination. Key Takeaway Use precise terminology in music. Themes music theory notation communication Mood analytical reflective Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - composing - teaching - performance Key Concepts harmonic analysis language of music Questions to Reflect On - How does naming affect perception? - Can a chord be felt without naming it? A Different Perspective Labels can limit creative interpretation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) ## Related quotes > [Even when I haven't played in a while, I can sit down and start with a chord, and just drop into it. It's like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vile/even-when-i-haven-t-played-in-a-while-i-can-sit-down-and-start-with-a/) [Kurt Vile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vile/) > [I try to find nice chord changes, that's how I love to start, and then I start trying to knock it into a song,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lynne/i-try-to-find-nice-chord-changes-that-s-how-i-love-to-start-and-then/) [Jeff Lynne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lynne/) > [Universitas in modo citharae sit disposita, in qua diversa genera in modo chordarum sit consonantia. The universe is arranged like a cithera, in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honorius-augustodunensis/universitas-in-modo-citharae-sit-disposita-in-qua-diversa-genera-in/) [Honorius Augustodunensis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honorius-augustodunensis/) > [Because music, like color, or a cloud, is neither intelligent nor unintelligent - it just is. The chord, the simplest building block for even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/because-music-like-color-or-a-cloud-is-neither-intelligent-nor/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [The program I use is called MED Soundstudio. It's basically a column of numbers that relate to pitch, duration, the type of sound. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-tundra/the-program-i-use-is-called-med-soundstudio-it-s-basically-a-column/) [Max Tundra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-tundra/) > [I probably would've kept slogging on that same chord change, because there's a tendency to have that happen. You get into the cadence in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-mann/i-probably-would-ve-kept-slogging-on-that-same-chord-change-because/) [Aimee Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-mann/) > [I was the third one in my family born, and there are three notes in a chord, so that's how they came up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chord-overstreet/i-was-the-third-one-in-my-family-born-and-there-are-three-notes-in-a/) [Chord Overstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chord-overstreet/) > [Why play a chord when you can play one note?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kapranos/why-play-a-chord-when-you-can-play-one-note/) [Alex Kapranos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kapranos/) > [To some degree. I think that I've always been very much of a chordal person. The chords are the foundation of everything. Some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-downes/to-some-degree-i-think-that-i-ve-always-been-very-much-of-a-chordal/) [Geoff Downes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-downes/) > [I don't look at a knife the way I used to. I'm more aware of what it is. I think twice. This is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/i-don-t-look-at-a-knife-the-way-i-used-to-i-m-more-aware-of-what-it/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [Chord substitution isn't some mysterious religious sect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-roberts/chord-substitution-isn-t-some-mysterious-religious-sect/) [Howard Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-roberts/) > [Chord progression is progression of emotions; storytelling - taking one person from one mood to the next. We are doing the same thing within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie-hawtin/chord-progression-is-progression-of-emotions-storytelling-taking-one/) [Richie Hawtin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie-hawtin/) > [I practice all the scales. Everyone should know lots of scales. Actually, I feel there are only scales. What is a chord, if not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/i-practice-all-the-scales-everyone-should-know-lots-of-scales/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [It's tough to play the right chord on the instrument when there's someone out there who wants to kill you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrell-hammond/it-s-tough-to-play-the-right-chord-on-the-instrument-when-there-s/) [Darrell Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrell-hammond/) > [I like really sparse electronics, lush arrangements, and interesting chord structures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-klinghoffer/i-like-really-sparse-electronics-lush-arrangements-and-interesting/) [Josh Klinghoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-klinghoffer/) ## More by Lester Bowie > [They always say that jazz doesn't sell, but it's a lie, because it does sell, and it sells consistently year in and year out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/they-always-say-that-jazz-doesn-t-sell-but-it-s-a-lie-because-it-does/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [I always tell my students when you're going to be a jazz musician the first thing you've got to do is be a professional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/i-always-tell-my-students-when-you-re-going-to-be-a-jazz-musician-the/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [You know when I was younger I used to look at Downbeat Magazine and I figured anybody in Downbeat must be making a living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/you-know-when-i-was-younger-i-used-to-look-at-downbeat-magazine-and-i/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [What I've been trying to do for years is to get the music played on a station other than jazz stations, you know, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/what-i-ve-been-trying-to-do-for-years-is-to-get-the-music-played-on-a/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [We just can't go and try to turn the clock back, that's not happening anymore. You've got to figure something else out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/we-just-can-t-go-and-try-to-turn-the-clock-back-that-s-not-happening/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [They're not just interested in one sort of music any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/they-re-not-just-interested-in-one-sort-of-music-any-more/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [Jazz is neither specific repertoire, nor academic exercise... but a way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/jazz-is-neither-specific-repertoire-nor-academic-exercise-but-a-way/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [Music is very important. It's important as a tool for learning, it can be a tool for healing, it can be no telling what,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/music-is-very-important-it-s-important-as-a-tool-for-learning-it-can/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [Because I believe that the future of the music lies in the Internet. It can be sold on the Internet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/because-i-believe-that-the-future-of-the-music-lies-in-the-internet/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [Play as well as you can all the time, and if you're truthful to your thing, you'll succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/play-as-well-as-you-can-all-the-time-and-if-you-re-truthful-to-your/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [The trumpet is forceful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/the-trumpet-is-forceful/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [We have the freedom to either play a tempo or not to play a tempo; to play a note or not to play a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/we-have-the-freedom-to-either-play-a-tempo-or-not-to-play-a-tempo-to/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [These people are interested in a wide variety of music, and that's what we're into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/these-people-are-interested-in-a-wide-variety-of-music-and-that-s/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [Jazz is so difficult. A lot of people think once they've learned these licks they can get up and play them for the rest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-think-once-they-ve-learned-these/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [I'm only involved really right now with the Art Ensemble of Chicago and the Brass Fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/i-m-only-involved-really-right-now-with-the-art-ensemble-of-chicago/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) [Explore all 31 Lester Bowie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) ## More Chord quotes > [We wanted to guide the musicians, so we could create our own sound. We would never let the band just go in and play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamont-dozier/we-wanted-to-guide-the-musicians-so-we-could-create-our-own-sound-we/) Lamont Dozier > [I like Kelela. I like Twigs. I love the more old school; I hate to say old school, but I love Peaches; I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neneh-cherry/i-like-kelela-i-like-twigs-i-love-the-more-old-school-i-hate-to-say/) [Neneh Cherry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neneh-cherry/) > [Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-action-in-our-lives-touches-on-some-chord-that-will-vibrate-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't have musical theory or great chord knowledge, but what I have got me where I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/i-don-t-have-musical-theory-or-great-chord-knowledge-but-what-i-have/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I studied chord theory and started playing the piano.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flea/i-studied-chord-theory-and-started-playing-the-piano/) [Flea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flea/) > [There are certain choices you make as a songwriter, based on vowel sounds and melody and chord changes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/there-are-certain-choices-you-make-as-a-songwriter-based-on-vowel/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [I like really sparse electronics, lush arrangements, and interesting chord structures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-klinghoffer/i-like-really-sparse-electronics-lush-arrangements-and-interesting/) [Josh Klinghoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-klinghoffer/) > [With Audioslave, it's all about melody and chord progressions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-commerford/with-audioslave-it-s-all-about-melody-and-chord-progressions/) [Tim Commerford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-commerford/) > [It's tough to play the right chord on the instrument when there's someone out there who wants to kill you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrell-hammond/it-s-tough-to-play-the-right-chord-on-the-instrument-when-there-s/) [Darrell Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrell-hammond/) > [Using open strings is a great way to add texture and atmosphere to any chord progression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/using-open-strings-is-a-great-way-to-add-texture-and-atmosphere-to/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [John Prine in particular... just the chord changes combined with the words. He definitely can make you cry a little bit. Just a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vile/john-prine-in-particular-just-the-chord-changes-combined-with-the/) [Kurt Vile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vile/) > [Light rails are too bus-like to impress most commuters, too squished and close to the ground. Monorails, by contrast, strike a chord with travelers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-i-koerner/light-rails-are-too-bus-like-to-impress-most-commuters-too-squished/) [Brendan I. Koerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-i-koerner/) > [I've been kind of listening to the composer Britten and his rendition of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' The opening track is a choral section…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dev-hynes/i-ve-been-kind-of-listening-to-the-composer-britten-and-his-rendition/) [Dev Hynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dev-hynes/) > [The Beatles changed music forever. They took rock n' roll from a medium that was about cars and girls and gave it context, interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-spitz/the-beatles-changed-music-forever-they-took-rock-n-roll-from-a-medium/) [Bob Spitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-spitz/) > [Fair treatment of human beings and animals in many different realms strikes a chord with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nargis-fakhri/fair-treatment-of-human-beings-and-animals-in-many-different-realms/) [Nargis Fakhri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nargis-fakhri/) Browse all 121 Chord quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A chord is just the name of a sound.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lester Bowie" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chord" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/lester-bowie-20177_chord_a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound-6720_672058.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/lester-bowie-20177_chord_a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound-6720_672058.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/lester-bowie-20177_chord_a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound-6720_672058.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A chord is just the name of a sound.” — Lester Bowie", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lester Bowie", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A chord is just the name...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```