Note identifier · Reference entry
What chord is C–D–F–A?
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.
All tones of F6 are present; the C note is lowest (2nd inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | sounding |
| 3 | A | sounding |
| 5 | C | sounding |
| 6 | D | sounding |
All tones of Dm7 are present; the C note is lowest (3rd inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | sounding |
| ♭3 | F | sounding |
| 5 | A | sounding |
| ♭7 | C | sounding |
3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th of B♭maj9 sound; it reads as B♭maj9 with the B♭ (1) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B♭ | omitted |
| 3 | D | sounding |
| 5 | F | sounding |
| 7 | A | sounding |
| 9 | C | sounding |
4th, 5th, ♭7, and 9th of G9sus4 sound; it reads as G9sus4 with the G (1) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | omitted |
| 4 | C | sounding |
| 5 | D | sounding |
| ♭7 | F | sounding |
| 9 | A | 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 F6/9: a major 6/9 F chord needs G as its 9th — G is absent.
Not Dm9: a minor 9th D chord needs E as its 9th — E is absent.
Not D7♯9: a dominant 7th ♯9 D chord needs F♯ as its 3rd — F♯ is absent.
Not Dm7♭5: a half diminished D chord needs A♭ as its ♭5 — A♭ is absent.
Not Am7♯5: a minor 7♯5 A chord needs G as its ♭7 — G is absent.
How these notes relate
C, D, F, and A is a voicing of B♭maj9 with the B♭ (root) left out.
The same notes over D in the bass spell Dm7.
Add G (its 9th) and the set reads as F6/9.
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, 5, 9}
- Normal order
- [9,0,2,5]
- Prime form
- [0,3,5,8]
- Interval vector
- <012120>
- Forte set class
- 4-26
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