Note identifier · Reference entry
What chord is C–E♭–F♯–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 Cm7♭5 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 |
All tones of E♭m6 are present; the C note is lowest (3rd inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E♭ | sounding |
| ♭3 | G♭ | sounding |
| 5 | B♭ | sounding |
| 6 | C | sounding |
3rd, 5th, ♭7, and 9th of A♭9 sound; it reads as A♭9 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 |
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 C7♭5♯9: a dominant 7th ♭5 ♯9 C chord needs E as its 3rd — E is absent.
Not Cdim7: a diminished 7th C chord needs B♭♭ as its ♭♭7 — B♭♭ is absent.
Not E♭dim7: a diminished 7th E♭ chord needs B♭♭ as its ♭5 — B♭♭ is absent.
Not F♯dim7: a diminished 7th F♯ chord needs A as its ♭3 — A is absent.
Not C7♭5: a dominant 7th ♭5 C chord needs E as its 3rd — E is absent.
How these notes relate
C, E♭, F♯, and B♭ is a voicing of A♭9 with the A♭ (root) left out.
The same notes over E♭ in the bass spell E♭m6.
Add E (its 3rd) and the set reads as C7♭5♯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, 3, 6, 10}
- Normal order
- [10,0,3,6]
- Prime form
- [0,2,5,8]
- Interval vector
- <012111>
- Forte set class
- 4-27
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