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 Cm7 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♭6 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, 7th, and 9th of A♭maj9 sound; it reads as A♭maj9 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, 5th, ♭7, and 9th of F9sus4 sound; it reads as F9sus4 with the F (1) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | omitted |
| 4 | B♭ | sounding |
| 5 | C | sounding |
| ♭7 | E♭ | sounding |
| 9 | G | 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 E♭6/9: a major 6/9 E♭ chord needs F as its 9th — F is absent.
Not Cm9: a minor 9th C chord needs D as its 9th — D is absent.
Not C7♯9: a dominant 7th ♯9 C chord needs E as its 3rd — E is absent.
Not Cm7♭5: a half diminished C chord needs G♭ as its ♭5 — G♭ is absent.
Not Cm7♯5: a minor 7♯5 C chord needs G♯ as its ♯5 — G♯ is absent.
How these notes relate
C, E♭, G, and B♭ is a voicing of A♭maj9 with the A♭ (root) left out.
The same notes over E♭ in the bass spell E♭6.
Add F (its 9th) and the set reads as E♭6/9.
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, 7, 10}
- Normal order
- [7,10,0,3]
- Prime form
- [0,3,5,8]
- Interval vector
- <012120>
- Forte set class
- 4-26
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