Note identifier · Reference entry
What chord is C–E–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 Am are present; the C note is lowest (1st inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | sounding |
| ♭3 | C | sounding |
| 5 | E | sounding |
root, 3rd, and 6th of C6 sound; it reads as C6 with the G (5) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | sounding |
| 3 | E | sounding |
| 5 | G | omitted |
| 6 | 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 C6/9: a major 6/9 C chord needs D as its 9th — D is absent.
How these notes relate
C, E, and A is a voicing of C6 with the G (5th) left out.
Add D (its 9th) 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, 4, 9}
- Normal order
- [9,0,4]
- Prime form
- [0,3,7]
- Interval vector
- <001110>
- Forte set class
- 3-11
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