Note identifier · Reference entry
What chord is C–D–E–G?
Ranked readings
Every chord these notes can spell, most complete first. The bass note anchors the root-position reading; each candidate maps every note to its scale degree.
Every tone of Cadd9 is present, with C in the bass — the definitive reading.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | sounding |
| 3 | E | sounding |
| 5 | G | sounding |
| 9 | D | sounding |
All tones of Em7♯5 are present; the B♯ note is lowest (2nd inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | sounding |
| ♭3 | G | sounding |
| ♯5 | B♯ | sounding |
| ♭7 | D | sounding |
♭3, 5th, ♭7, and 11th of Am11 sound; it reads as Am11 with the A (1) and B (9) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | omitted |
| ♭3 | C | sounding |
| 5 | E | sounding |
| ♭7 | G | sounding |
| 9 | B | omitted |
| 11 | D | sounding |
root, 4th, ♭7, and 9th of D9sus4 sound; it reads as D9sus4 with the A (5) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | sounding |
| 4 | G | sounding |
| 5 | A | omitted |
| ♭7 | C | sounding |
| 9 | E | sounding |
Not these chords
Names these notes are often mistaken for. Each is ruled out because a defining tone of that chord is missing — the note that would make the name true simply is not being played.
Not C6/9: a major 6/9 C chord needs A as its 6th — A is absent.
Not C9: a dominant 9th C chord needs B♭ as its ♭7 — B♭ is absent.
Not Cmaj9: a major 9th C chord needs B as its 7th — B is absent.
Not Em7♭5: a half diminished E chord needs B♭ as its ♭5 — B♭ is absent.
Not Eaug7: a augmented 7th E chord needs G♯ as its 3rd — G♯ is absent.
How these notes relate
C, D, E, and G is a voicing of Am11 with the A (root) and B (9th) left out.
The same notes over E in the bass spell Em7♯5.
Add A (its 6th) and the set reads as C6/9.
Set-class analysis
The pitch-class set theory identity of these notes — order- and key-independent, computed from the set itself.
- Pitch-class set
- {0, 2, 4, 7}
- Normal order
- [0,2,4,7]
- Prime form
- [0,2,4,7]
- Interval vector
- <021120>
- Forte set class
- 4-22
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