Chord Naming

[Fenix]

I was curious about something. Can alterations like the flat 5 or raised 5 and flat 9/ raised 9 e.t.c only be used with dominant chords. For instance, could you have a major 7th chord with a flatted 5th? What would that make it?

[sjonathan02]

Do you mean chords with the flatted seventh; like a C7?


Answering your question, I believe you can and you'd call it what you just called it.

[T-Block]

I was curious about something. Can alterations like the flat 5 or raised 5 and flat 9/ raised 9 e.t.c only be used with dominant chords. For instance, could you have a major 7th chord with a flatted 5th? What would that make it?

You name any chord according to the notes present.  You will find that certain alterations are used the most with certain types of chords, but that doesn't mean those chords are the only chords they can go with.

[Fenix]

Thanks guys. I just came across a B major 7 with a flat 5 and was wondering what that chord was called. I thought only dominant chords could have sharp or flat alterations to the extensions.

[T-Block]

Thanks guys. I just came across a B major 7 with a flat 5 and was wondering what that chord was called. I thought only dominant chords could have sharp or flat alterations to the extensions.

Im curious 2 know how that chord was voiced and what context it was being used in.  Did it have these notes: 

B-D#-F-A#?

It could've been a typo.  If u had a G in the bass, it woulb be a G7 #5/#9.

[Fenix]

Im curious 2 know how that chord was voiced and what context it was being used in.  Did it have these notes: 

B-D#-F-A#?

It could've been a typo.  If u had a G in the bass, it woulb be a G7 #5/#9.

It was used as a basic I IV V in Gb. It was voiced as B F Gb Bb

But then the 5 of B is there. 

Anyway i'm good.

[Shadow_]

I know Fen says he's good but im curious. I use this chord C F Gb Bb and maybe sometimes the one Fen posted. By the way Fen, was it used on the 1 or 4 or 5? When I use it, its a m7b5-ish of either C or Gb. I sometimes lay that with a D in the bass. Maybe in a 7-3-6 in Bb: I'd play that on the 3.
If you like how it sounds, try it for the one in C#.
I also use a slight variation of that same chord for a 7-3-6 in E (imagine.lol) I use it on the 3 or 6 depending.

A lot of the application is trial and error or sometimes a spiritual spasm during service will make you play some of the greatest chords.

T-Block, the way you've named it; Is the chord name always a function of the bass note? Because im trying to get into using 13ths and 11ths and i want to be able to name correctly.

[T-Block]

It was used as a basic I IV V in Gb. It was voiced as B F Gb Bb

But then the 5 of B is there. 

I see the 1, 5, and 7.  But, I don't see a 3rd.  U gotta rename the notes of the chord in B to see man.  Since ur in the key of Gb, I would change the chord to a Cb chord:

B-F-Gb-Bb -> B-F-F#-A# or Cb-F-Gb-Bb

Now, looking at the chord, u have the scale degrees 1-#4/b5-5-7.  The only chord that comes close to this is maybe a major7th sus4 chord.  That's the only way u can have a major 7th chord sound good without a 3rd.  But the problem here is it's not a regular 4, its a raised 4.  You sure that F shouldn't be an Fb/E?

4 is also the 11th, so it could be an 11th chord of some type.  Then like I said ealier, it's missing a 3rd so I'm pretty sure it isn't an 11th.

T-Block, the way you've named it; Is the chord name always a function of the bass note? Because im trying to get into using 13ths and 11ths and i want to be able to name correctly.

More or less, yeah.  You also have to take into consideration its function in the overall song or progression. But, 90% of the time the bass note will lead u to your answer.

[Fenix]

I know Fen says he's good but im curious. I use this chord C F Gb Bb and maybe sometimes the one Fen posted. By the way Fen, was it used on the 1 or 4 or 5? When I use it, its a m7b5-ish of either C or Gb. I sometimes lay that with a D in the bass. Maybe in a 7-3-6 in Bb: I'd play that on the 3.
If you like how it sounds, try it for the one in C#.
I also use a slight variation of that same chord for a 7-3-6 in E (imagine.lol) I use it on the 3 or 6 depending.

It was used on the 4 but now that i look at the song closer, the F goes to the Eb. So in essence the movement was:

B F Gb
B Eb Gb

I guess i am still not used to the melody moving INSIDE the chord rather than being the top chord.

T-Block, the way you've named it; Is the chord name always a function of the bass note? Because im trying to get into using 13ths and 11ths and i want to be able to name correctly.

When you say "a function of the bass note", do you mean named based off of the bass note?

[T-Block]

It was used on the 4 but now that i look at the song closer, the F goes to the Eb. So in essence the movement was:

B F Gb
B Eb Gb

AHHHH, now it makes sense.  It's definitely a major 7th sus4 chord, even though u got a raised 4 there.  See, if u would have put up the resolution chord, this wouldn't even be a discussion, LOL.

[Fenix]

AHHHH, now it makes sense.  It's definitely a major 7th sus4 chord, even though u got a raised 4 there.  See, if u would have put up the resolution chord, this wouldn't even be a discussion, LOL.

Yeah but i was typing the chord i was frustrated. I just got in from 20 degree weather and my fingers were numb and i hurt all over and i wanted to get it down or i would forget.  

But yeah like i said i am not used to having the melody move in between the chord so i figured it was some kind of new chord i hadn't heard of.