Note identifier · Reference entry
What chord is D–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 G are present; the D note is lowest (2nd inversion).
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | sounding |
| 3 | B | sounding |
| 5 | D | sounding |
4th, ♭7, and 9th of A9sus4 sound; it reads as A9sus4 with the A (1) and E (5) omitted.
| Degree | Note | In this set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | omitted |
| 4 | D | sounding |
| 5 | E | omitted |
| ♭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 Bm7♯5: a minor 7♯5 B chord needs A as its ♭7 — A is absent.
Not D13sus4: a dominant 13th sus4 D chord needs C as its ♭7 — C is absent.
How these notes relate
D, G, and B is a voicing of A9sus4 with the A (root) and E (5th) left out.
Add A (its ♭7) and the set reads as Bm7♯5.
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, 7, 11}
- Normal order
- [7,11,2]
- Prime form
- [0,3,7]
- Interval vector
- <001110>
- Forte set class
- 3-11
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