Note identifier · Reference entry
What chord is C–E–G–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.
Every tone of Cmaj7 is present, with C in the bass — the definitive reading.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | sounding |
| 3 | E | sounding |
| 5 | G | sounding |
| 7 | B | sounding |
♭3, 5th, ♭7, and 9th of Am9 sound; it reads as Am9 with the A (1) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | omitted |
| ♭3 | C | sounding |
| 5 | E | sounding |
| ♭7 | G | sounding |
| 9 | B | sounding |
4th, ♭7, 9th, and 13th of D13sus4 sound; it reads as D13sus4 with the D (1) and A (5) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | omitted |
| 4 | G | sounding |
| 5 | A | omitted |
| ♭7 | C | sounding |
| 9 | E | sounding |
| 13 | 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 Cmaj9: a major 9th C chord needs D as its 9th — D is absent.
Not Cmaj7♯11: a major 7♯11 C chord needs F♯ as its ♯11 — F♯ is absent.
Not Cmaj7♯5: a major 7♯5 C chord needs G♯ as its ♯5 — G♯ is absent.
Not Cmaj7♭5: a major 7♭5 C chord needs G♭ as its ♭5 — G♭ is absent.
Not Em7♯5: a minor 7♯5 E chord needs D as its ♭7 — D is absent.
How these notes relate
C, E, G, and B is a voicing of Am9 with the A (root) left out.
Add D (its 9th) and the set reads as Cmaj9.
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, 11}
- Normal order
- [11,0,4,7]
- Prime form
- [0,1,5,8]
- Interval vector
- <101220>
- Forte set class
- 4-20
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