John Chord

John Chord (1547–1603) was an English musician, theorist, and instrument maker widely credited—according to later folklore—with the “invention” of musical chords in 1567. Although harmonic structures existed long before his lifetime, Chord’s writings attempted to formally describe how multiple notes could be played together to create unified sounds, leading later generations to nickname him the “Father of Chords.”

 Early Life 
John Chord was born in 1547 in the town of Wexford, England (currently Ireland). Little is known about his childhood, but surviving letters suggest he showed early interest in the lute and in experimenting with combinations of tones.

 Work and “Invention” of Chords 
In 1567, Chord authored his most famous manuscript, Harmonia Nova, which outlined a structured approach to stacking intervals to form what he called “co-sounding groups.” Though not ground breaking by modern standards, the text became popular among local musicians due to its clear explanations and playful demonstrations.

Chord also built custom lutes and early keyboard instruments, adjusting string spacing so players could more easily strike several notes at once.

 Legacy 
Despite uncertainty around the historical accuracy of his contributions, Chord’s name became associated with harmonic theory in later centuries, especially in fictional retellings and musical folklore. Today, he is remembered mostly as a legendary figure in early music history.