Can you use chords with any instrument?

Question:Because I'd like to know I totally understand the concept of chords and can play them on only 2 instruments can ui play them on everything???

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Because I'd like to know I totally understand the concept of chords and can play them on only 2 instruments can ui play them on everything???

You cant play chords on instruments that only play one note at a time. You CAN play arpeggios, which are basically scales that contain the notes of chords. But a true chord, no. So woodwinds, brass instruments? No, you cannot.

Keyboards, strings, guitars, accordians, yup.

i'm not sure about brass and some woodwinds, but everything else i think is fine...

No.

Not on horn instruments, no (flute, tuba, trumpet, sax). Those are one note at a time.

instruments with keys or strings definately, drums however i feel is impossible

You can play chords on any keyboard instrument (piano, organ, etc.), any mallet percussion instrument (vibraphone, marimba, xylophone), and any string instrument (guitar, etc). Chords are far less common on string instruments such as the violin and cello, and they are frequently referred to as 'double-stops' or 'multiple-stops'. They are a bit more challenging on these instruments as well, but advanced players, especially in solo literature, play them all the time.

On woodwind and brass instruments, arpeggios of chords are possible. Take a C major chord for example. On the flute, to arpeggiate a C major chord, one would play, often in fast succession, C-E-G-C-E-G. Woodwind and brass players can create the illusion of playing chords in this manner. Advanced players also learn how to make certain notes sound more important, thus better outlining the chord.

If you're really looking to understand the concept of chords, the easiest way to do that would most likely be on the piano or a keyboard. You can visualize as well as feel the distance between the notes. Standard 'tonal' chords essentially alternate notes on the keyboard. Then, try to use the same notes but in a different order, which is called an inversion. For example, with a C Major chord again- 'root position' is C-E-G, first inversion would be E-G-C, and second inversion would be G-C-E. It is all basically the same chord, although each has a different note of the C Major chord in the bass, or root.

Hope that helps!