Plays chords, in a way (6)
I believe the answer is:
strums
'plays chords in a way' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for strums that I've seen before include "Plays (guitar) inelegantly" , "Makes sounds on strings of guitar" , "Sounds the strings, of a guitar say" .)