Mystery Chords

[John LeQuire]

I'm hoping some of the BaM Theory gurus can help me out with this one.
In experimenting with various chord shapes and forms, I came up with (in my mind at least) a couple that I can't identify. I've tried using a reverse chord finder, as well as browsing various chord charts, with no luck. Wonder if you guys could help me name them. They are:

E A D G B E
X X 4 4 0 2

E A D G B E
X 4 4 3 0 2

E A D G B E
X 4 4 2 0 0

I'm guessing the second is an F# something, but I have no clue as to the other two. I've tried analyzing the component notes, but theory was never my strong spot so that hasn't gotten me anywhere. I came up with/discovered these a while back, and like the sound, but I'd like to know what they are, and what keys etc. I could work them into. Any info is appreciated.

[Andrew]

Well, the first one appears to be a B major. The third is an F#m11.

[RandyO]

Here's a link for you. Go to "Guitar Menu" then "Name Chords."
It's easy and fun to use.

http://www.chordbook.com/cb100/vguitar/guitar_chords.htm

[John LeQuire]

Thanks guys!

[daddycam]

the first one is a B5 or technically a B5/F#. of the four notes played, 2 are B's and 2 are F#'s

[forestryguy]

Chordbook v2.6 has this as one possible naming solution: B (no 3rd); Bmaj9; B9 sus4 (or B11). Of course, there are four or five other options including F# add 11 for the second and F#m11 for the third.
This is a pretty cool little piece of software to help with problems like this. The subject is otherwise way too complex for my punkin head. :)

[daddycam]

Chordbook v2.6 has this as one possible naming solution: B (no 3rd)...
of course B(no 3rd) is the same as B5. both are B chords containing only two notes--the root, B, and the fifth, F#. :)

[Black 'n Tan]

Here's a link for you. Go to "Guitar Menu" then "Name Chords."
It's easy and fun to use.

http://www.chordbook.com/cb100/vguitar/guitar_chords.htm
Wow, that's the coolest and best chord thing I have seen yet on the internet! Thanks for the link.

[Dark Wave]

Here's a link for you. Go to "Guitar Menu" then "Name Chords."
It's easy and fun to use.

http://www.chordbook.com/cb100/vguitar/guitar_chords.htm
I agree, great link.

Thanks for the info RandyO.

[Phil Macino]

Randy,

Thanks! That is *very* cool...I can't believe you can actually alter the string tuning on it!

[Tom Gross]

Thanks Randy! That is a way cool link, very helpful (like yourself!).

I do want to add one thing here - When wondering "what chord is this?" I believe to some extent it doesn't matter.
Now, of course, the more we know the better off we are, and theory is way, way cool and I believe adds tons to our playing. But I am also wary of falling into the music as math syndrome. I am NOT talking about feel vs. technical knowledge (I hate those discussions). I am talking about "is it a GMaj11/Db or is it a C6b9(no root)". At some point we're counting angels on the head of a pin.
To me, the question "what chord is this?" is to lead to the more important theoretical questions -

"What ways can I look at this group of notes"
"In what keys does this chord function in what ways?"
"In what contexts might this chord be useful, and in what ways?"

So what I guess I'm saying is that while my esteemed and knowledgeble forummates (more knowledgable than I in these respects) are giving much cool information, we should not be seeking the "right" answer, but a number of helpful answers.

I hope no one inteprets this post as criticism, I think this is a cool thread (with an amazingly helpful link) and you guys are right. I also am not contending posts that say something like "more, correctly, this is a B11" or whatever, that is extremely helpful (to me anyway), and is the answer to the original post. I'm just trying to add the perpective that the solution to the technical question is an important step to further questions about the chord.

[RandyO]

Thank you Tom,
All good points. I wouldn't advise folks to getted wrapped around the axle naming chords either. The ChordBook site is a good training tool for several reasons. Starting with basic, then more complex chords and using the "strum" feature, it's great for ear training. The individual notes of the chord are displayed on the top of the page. The Name the Chord database is larger than other chordfinders I've seen. I use it after composing some little ditty using partial open chords. Naming them helps communicate with other musicians. I write what sounds good, then discover how the chords are interacting.

A word of caution to those new at the Name the Chord feature. Be sure to "X" out any strings not in the chord or this will confuse the Genie. Note that the sytem will work further up the neck of the virtual guitar by selecting a new "fret position" at the top left. It also works for alternate tunings as Phil noted. If anyone has questions about the use of this site, I'll sure try to answer them.

http://www.chordbook.com/cb100/index.htm

[Jo]

Great link!

Except, I tried the chord finder bit and just put in some random marks and the reply was

"*???????*
you must be joking!"

LOL

[darial]

I'd be carefull with that chordbook.com thing. I caught it making a mistake at least twice. It was close - I fed it a Eadd9 and got back "E11" - but still it could mess you up if you don't know enough theory to catch when it's wrong.

[darial]

Btw, here's what I get for the origional three chords:

Chord 1) B5/F# (technically not a chord)

From a practical perspective it's a B powerchord that's intonation sensitive (since it has two strings on the same note in the same octave). You could use it in any key that contains a B major or minor chord, or as a no root or 5 substitute for an Abm7 in a jazz context.

Chord 2) F#add11/C#

hard to say how to use this one. It's major, but not explicitly dominant, and has a unresolved sound due to the maj3 vs 11. In diatonic harmony it could be used as a V chord or a I chord, but I'd rule it out as a I chord because of the way it sounds. Were I to use it as a V, I'd make it explicitly dominant like this:

x 4 2 3 0 2 (a F#11)

which is little harder to finger but is a petty cool voicing. Drop the 5 from the bottom, and you've got a cool moveable dominant voicing that's pretty out there. By the way, either of those voicings is a GREAT b5 sub for a C7. Try this progression:


Gm7 | Gm7 | C7 F#add11 (or F#11) | F (or Fmaj7 or F6)

chord 3) F#m11/C#

Substitute for any F#m7 or similar. It's diatonic as a ii,iii, or vi chord. Not much else to do with it that I can see.

[lchender]

Here's my 2 cents:

1) Looks like an interesting B5 voicing with a bit of an open sound

2) Maybe Bmaj7(no3)/C#. I'd use it as some kind of a Vsus chord perhaps

3) F#m7(add4)/C#. It wants to be some sort of F#m chord. I guess it depends if you play it with a bass player or not. Then they get to pick what the root really is. :O)

[John LeQuire]

Thanks for all your help guys, just the kind of info I was looking for!

[Marty Gilman]

I am a theory teacher. I can help out but would much rather see notes than tab stuff. Takes too long. I hope I can be of service.

-Marty