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Spacing

Definition

Spacing in music theory refers to how close together or far apart individual pitches are within a chord. It affects the overall sound and balance of the chord.

Analogy

Think of spacing like arranging a group photo. If everyone stands too close together, it becomes crowded and hard to distinguish individual faces. But if they spread out too far, it feels disconnected. Similarly, in music, spacing determines how well each note within a chord can be heard and appreciated.

Related terms

Close Position: Close position refers to a chord where the notes are arranged as closely as possible, usually within an octave.

Open Position: Open position refers to a chord where the notes are spread out over more than one octave.

Voicing: Voicing refers to the specific arrangement or order of pitches within a chord, including their spacings and doublings.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.