Topmusicanswers
A fourth chord, also called quartal chord, is a chord built with fourth intervals. There can be three types of fourths chords : Built by stacking 2 perfect fourths (4 + 4). This is the basic fourth chord.
What are quartal chords used for?
Quintal chords, created by 5th intervals, have a similar effect. Quartal chords can be used as 1-chords, as 4-chords, as passing chords… almost anywhere. In fact, you've probably marveled at jazz players using them and because of their distinct sound, you couldn't even tell what the player was doing!
How do you write quartal harmony?
At the very least, it involves two notes separated by fourths. For example, playing C and F together produces a sound that characterizes quartal harmony. If you stack another fourth (Bb) on top of the C and F, you get a typical quartal harmony voicing. Add more on top or below and you get really open-sounding chords.
