Note identifier · Reference entry
What chord is D–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.
All tones of G6 are present; the D note is lowest (2nd inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | sounding |
| 3 | B | sounding |
| 5 | D | sounding |
| 6 | E | sounding |
All tones of Em7 are present; the D note is lowest (3rd inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | sounding |
| ♭3 | G | sounding |
| 5 | B | sounding |
| ♭7 | D | sounding |
3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th of Cmaj9 sound; it reads as Cmaj9 with the C (1) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | omitted |
| 3 | E | sounding |
| 5 | G | sounding |
| 7 | B | sounding |
| 9 | D | sounding |
4th, 5th, ♭7, and 9th of A9sus4 sound; it reads as A9sus4 with the A (1) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | omitted |
| 4 | D | 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 G6/9: a major 6/9 G chord needs A as its 9th — A is absent.
Not Em9: a minor 9th E chord needs F♯ as its 9th — F♯ is absent.
Not E7♯9: a dominant 7th ♯9 E chord needs G♯ as its 3rd — G♯ is absent.
Not Em7♭5: a half diminished E chord needs B♭ as its ♭5 — B♭ is absent.
Not Bm7♯5: a minor 7♯5 B chord needs A as its ♭7 — A is absent.
How these notes relate
D, E, G, and B is a voicing of Cmaj9 with the C (root) left out.
The same notes over E in the bass spell Em7.
Add A (its 9th) and the set reads as G6/9.
Set-class analysis
The pitch-class set theory identity of these notes — order- and key-independent, computed from the set itself.
- Pitch-class set
- {2, 4, 7, 11}
- Normal order
- [11,2,4,7]
- Prime form
- [0,3,5,8]
- Interval vector
- <012120>
- Forte set class
- 4-26
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