4.18 Chord symbols
| Category: Harmony | Tags: Chord symbols, Chords |
Theory
This chapter is the continuation of Chapter 3.18 Chord symbols. In Chapter 4.11 Triads: the first and second inversion you’ve learned about inversions of triads and how they are called. In this chapter you will learn how inversions are notated with chord symbols. You will also learn chord symbols that indicate omitted, replaced or added tones.
Chord symbols
Sometimes a slash ( / ) followed by a pitch-name is added to the chord symbol, indicating its inversion. For chords in inversion, the symbol to the left of the slash indicates a whole chord and the pitch-name to the right of the slash indicates the chord’s lowest note. If there is no slash, the chord is assumed to be in root position. For example: C/E = C major triad in first inversion (E is its lowest pitch). The pitch that follows the slash is almost always a member of the chord, but it also can be a nonharmonic tone.
There are also chord symbols that indicate omitted, replaced or added tones.
Chord symbols |
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| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
| C/E | C major, first inversion | E G C |
| C/G | C major, second inversion | G C E |
| C/B | C major with a B as lowest tone | B C E G |
| Cm/Eb | C minor, first inversion | Eb G C |
| Csus4 | C major with a fourth instead of a third | C F G |
| Csus | C major with a fourth instead of a third | C F G |
| Csus2 | C major with a second instead of a third | C D G |
| C2 | C major with a second instead of a third | C D G |
| C6 | C major with added sixth | C E G A |
| Cm6 | C minor with added sixth | C Eb G A |
| C5 | C major with omitted third, "power-chord" | C G |
Examples
Summary
Chord symbols
- Inversions of chords are notated with a slash and the name of the lowest tone.
- Inversions: C/E, C/G, C/B, Cm/Eb.
- Notes replaced: Csus4, Csus (fourth instead of third), Csus2, C2 (second instead of third).
- Notes added: C6, Cm6 (added sixth).
- Notes omitted: C5 ("power-chord").