Chord nomenclature is Insufficient!

[Manofchrist101]

Hi,

One of the problems i have run into as i try to learn more chords is the fact that i have noticed that several Chords could be called other chords easily. Let me give a two examples.

1) When learning the song "at calvary" in C major, i got to a chord (F,A,D) This is an inverted D-Minor but THE ONLY WAY I KNEW THAT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS PART OF THE 5,6,2,5,1 TURNAROUND OF THE SONG. OTHERWISE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AN F6 CHORD!

2) When playing "i know it was the blood" i hit a chord composed of (B,D,F) given its position in the song i deduced that i was playing a G-dominat 7th ONLY BECAUSE MY OTHER CHOICE WAS A B-DIMINISHED CHORD AND THATS NOT LIKELY TO OCCUR IN A BLUES SOUNDING SONG LIKE THIS.

See My point?

It seems like any chord could be called something else given the situation.


Is there a surefire way to know what a chord's ONLY NAME IS. In a given situation?

[csedwards2]

nothing is ever sure fire in music. But you always check the bass, and realize that 6 (as in your F6 example) chords are not popular. So the common choice should be deferred to unless the bass or progression tell you otherwise

[smalls85s]

Since I like playing by numbers, I always name a chord based on the bass note.
Whatever position the chord falls on in the progression is what it's called.

Just like your example:
If you are in C and playing a 5-6-2-5-1, then whatever notes compose that 5 (whether dom, dim, maj, min or whatever) then it is a G. That's automatic with the key of your song

[csedwards2]

Go with the simplest name of the two.

exactly

[GospelEngineer]

It always depends on the bass note.

[T-Block]

Hi,

One of the problems i have run into as i try to learn more chords is the fact that i have noticed that several Chords could be called other chords easily. Let me give a two examples.

It seems like any chord could be called something else given the situation.


Is there a surefire way to know what a chord's ONLY NAME IS. In a given situation?

Like other said, using the bass note is key. But another way by looking at what chord comes next. For example, the dim7 (fully diminished 7th chord) can be named with either one of the 4 notes being the root. So, how do you decide which note is the root? By the chord that comes after it.

Usually dim7 chords resolve one half-step higher. Visual:

C-Eb-Gb-A: Cdim7, Ebdim7, Gbdim7, or Adim7

If the next chord is some kind of C#/Db chord, the correct name is Cdim7.

If the next chord is some kind of E chord, the correct name is Ebdim7.

If the next chord is some kind of G chord, the correct name is Gbdim7.

If the next chord is some kind of A#/Bb chord, the correct name is Adim7.


So, I guess my point is you have to consider the key, bass note, and location of the chord to be absolutely 100% sure. Even then you will still have some people disagree wit ya.

[csedwards2]

amen

[Docdb04]

Based on most of the explanations here, unless you are using enharmonic names, there is only one name per chord (technically speaking).  Mainly because the bass note (or bass player) will only play one root at a time.  For example: If you play F6 or Dm, the bass note will either be F or D.  Even if you play a rootless F6 or Dm, your bass player will either play F or D.  There is only one root.     

[betnich]

Basically, the less notes a chord has, the less possible names it can have...