Note identifier · Reference entry
What chord is C–E–G–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 C6 is present, with C in the bass — the definitive reading.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | sounding |
| 3 | E | sounding |
| 5 | G | sounding |
| 6 | A | sounding |
All tones of Am7 are present; the C note is lowest (1st inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | sounding |
| ♭3 | C | sounding |
| 5 | E | sounding |
| ♭7 | G | sounding |
3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th of Fmaj9 sound; it reads as Fmaj9 with the F (1) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | omitted |
| 3 | A | sounding |
| 5 | C | sounding |
| 7 | E | sounding |
| 9 | G | sounding |
4th, 5th, ♭7, and 9th of D9sus4 sound; it reads as D9sus4 with the D (1) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | omitted |
| 4 | G | sounding |
| 5 | A | sounding |
| ♭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 D as its 9th — D is absent.
Not Am9: a minor 9th A chord needs B as its 9th — B is absent.
Not A7♯9: a dominant 7th ♯9 A chord needs C♯ as its 3rd — C♯ is absent.
Not Am7♭5: a half diminished A chord needs E♭ as its ♭5 — E♭ is absent.
Not Am7♯5: a minor 7♯5 A chord needs E♯ as its ♯5 — E♯ is absent.
How these notes relate
C, E, G, and A is a voicing of Fmaj9 with the F (root) left out.
The same notes over A in the bass spell Am7.
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, 7, 9}
- Normal order
- [4,7,9,0]
- Prime form
- [0,3,5,8]
- Interval vector
- <012120>
- Forte set class
- 4-26
Play a chord and hear it named live at What am I playing? · Report an error