Note identifier · Reference entry
What chord is C–E–B♭?
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.
root, 3rd, and ♭7 of C7 sound; it reads as C7 with the G (5) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | sounding |
| 3 | E | sounding |
| 5 | G | omitted |
| ♭7 | B♭ | sounding |
3rd, ♭7, and ♯11 of F♯7♯11 sound; it reads as F♯7♯11 with the F♯ (1) and C♯ (5) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F♯ | omitted |
| 3 | A♯ | sounding |
| 5 | C♯ | omitted |
| ♭7 | E | sounding |
| ♯11 | B♯ | 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 Caug7: a augmented 7th C chord needs G♯ as its ♯5 — G♯ is absent.
Not C7♭5: a dominant 7th ♭5 C chord needs G♭ as its ♭5 — G♭ is absent.
Not C7♯5: a dominant 7th ♯5 C chord needs G♯ as its ♯5 — G♯ is absent.
Not C7♯11: a dominant 7th sharp 11 C chord needs F♯ as its ♯11 — F♯ is absent.
Not C9: a dominant 9th C chord needs D as its 9th — D is absent.
How these notes relate
C, E, and B♭ is a voicing of C7 with the G (5th) left out.
Add G♯ (its ♯5) and the set reads as Caug7.
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, 10}
- Normal order
- [10,0,4]
- Prime form
- [0,2,6]
- Interval vector
- <010101>
- Forte set class
- 3-8
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