Slash chord
A slash chord (of English : slash chord ) called in modern harmony a chord , whose real root not in Bass is (does not have its root in the bass). Slash chords are simple and effective extensions of the typical three- and four-note chords.
This can simply be a chord inversion , but especially non- chordal bass notes are notated in this way. The use of so-called slash chords often creates interesting harmonic ambiguities. They actually come from jazz , but are also used very often in upscale rock and pop music .
The term rather refers to the special kind of notation . In the chord symbol font of the bass tone of the slash chord is specified by that the bass with a slash ( English slash appends), hence the name.
Examples:
- D / F # for a D major chord with F sharp in the bass.
- C / G for a C major chord with G in the bass.
Diminished chords can be reinterpreted by the notation as a slash chord. The semi-diminished seventh chord above A, Am5- / 7, can also be notated as Cm / A. That would then emphasize the relation to the C minor chord it contains - the A can be interpreted as the subseptime under G.
Slash chords are often used in passages in which the bass should exude the greatest possible calm by using only one tone for several chords. Another common use is in passages in which the bass should move as linearly as possible.
Examples:
- Em - Am7 / E - Em ...
- G - D / F # - Em ...
- C - G / B - Am - Am / G - F - C / E - D / F # - G ...
A constant bass note with changing harmonies is also known as an organ point .
literature
- Richard Graf, Barrie Nettles: The Chord Scale Theory & Jazz Harmonics. Advance Music, Rottenburg / N. 1997, ISBN 3-89221-055-1 .