Music Glossary: open

Open voicings derived from four-part close; spread for clarity. more

Open voicings created by dropping 2nd/3rd highest chord tone by an octave. more

Tuning the strings to form a chord when strummed open (e.g., open G/D/E); useful for slide and droning parts. more

Five-note scale (1–2–3–5–6) avoiding semitone tension; ubiquitous in folk and rock. more

Structures built in fourths (perfect/augmented/diminished); modern, open sonority. more

Structures built in fifths; spacious and consonant; complements quartal stacks. more

Voicings omitting the root to feature 3–7–extensions; bass supplies the root. more

Third replaced by 2 or 4; resolves to triad or used statically in pop. more

Close stacks notes tightly; open spreads tones across octaves. Use open for width/clarity, close for focus/warmth. more