Note identifier · Reference entry
What chord is C–E♭–F♯?
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 Cdim is present, with C in the bass — the definitive reading.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | sounding |
| ♭3 | E♭ | sounding |
| ♭5 | G♭ | sounding |
root, ♭3, and 6th of E♭m6 sound; it reads as E♭m6 with the B♭ (5) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E♭ | sounding |
| ♭3 | G♭ | sounding |
| 5 | B♭ | omitted |
| 6 | C | sounding |
3rd, ♭7, and ♭9 of D7♭9 sound; it reads as D7♭9 with the D (1) and A (5) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | omitted |
| 3 | F♯ | sounding |
| 5 | A | omitted |
| ♭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 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 Cm7♭5: a half diminished C chord needs B♭ as its ♭7 — B♭ is absent.
Not Cdim(maj7): a diminished major 7th C chord needs B as its 7th — B is absent.
How these notes relate
C, E♭, and F♯ is a voicing of E♭m6 with the B♭ (5th) left out.
Add B♭♭ (its ♭♭7) and the set reads as Cdim7.
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}
- Normal order
- [0,3,6]
- Prime form
- [0,3,6]
- Interval vector
- <002001>
- Forte set class
- 3-10
Play a chord and hear it named live at What am I playing? · Report an error