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.
Every tone of Caug is present, with C in the bass — the definitive reading.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | sounding |
| 3 | E | sounding |
| ♯5 | G♯ | sounding |
All tones of Eaug are present; the B♯ note is lowest (2nd inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | sounding |
| 3 | G♯ | sounding |
| ♯5 | B♯ | sounding |
All tones of A♭aug are present; the C note is lowest (1st inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A♭ | sounding |
| 3 | C | sounding |
| ♯5 | 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 A♭aug7: a augmented 7th A♭ chord needs G♭ as its ♭7 — G♭ is absent.
Not Caug7: a augmented 7th C chord needs B♭ as its ♭7 — B♭ is absent.
Not Eaug7: a augmented 7th E chord needs D as its ♭7 — D is absent.
Not A♭7♯5: a dominant 7th ♯5 A♭ chord needs G♭ as its ♭7 — G♭ is absent.
Not C7♯5: a dominant 7th ♯5 C chord needs B♭ as its ♭7 — B♭ is absent.
How these notes relate
The same notes over E in the bass spell Eaug.
Add G♭ (its ♭7) and the set reads as A♭aug7.
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, 8}
- Normal order
- [0,4,8]
- Prime form
- [0,4,8]
- Interval vector
- <000300>
- Forte set class
- 3-12
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