chord melody

Chord melody is a technique where a single performer plays both the harmony (chords) and the melody of a piece simultaneously on an instrument like the guitar or piano. Instead of accompanying a singer or other instrumentalist, the musician crafts a version where the main tune and its supporting harmonies are combined into one performance. This approach creates a rich, full sound and allows the musician to interpret and express a song independently, blending melody and harmony seamlessly. It's a popular style for solo jazz, folk, and fingerstyle guitarists seeking to mimic the fullness of an ensemble.