Dyad (music)
{{Short description|Pair of pitches that may imply a chord}}
In music, a dyad (less commonly, diad) is a set of two notes or pitches.{{cite encyclopedia |first=Lindsey C. |last=Harnsberger |title=dyad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lrjbxAuZYeYC&pg=PA47 |encyclopedia=Essential Dictionary of Music: Definitions, Composers, Theory, Instrument & Vocal Ranges |publisher=Alfred Publishing |location=Los Angeles |year=1997 |page=47 |isbn=0-88284-728-7 |oclc=35172595 |accessdate=24 February 2009}} The notes of a dyad can be played simultaneously or in succession. Notes played in succession form a melodic interval; notes played simultaneously form a harmonic interval.
Dyads can be classified by the interval between the notes.{{Cite web|title = Intervals and dyads – Open Music Theory|url = http://openmusictheory.com/intervals.html|website = Open Music Theory|accessdate = 2015-12-06|language = en-US}} For example, the interval between C and E (four half steps) is a major third, which can imply a C major chord, made up of the notes C, E and G.Young, Doug (2008). Mel Bay Presents Understanding DADGAD, p.53. {{ISBN|978-0-7866-7641-5}}. Image:C indeterminate chord.png
