[angels3boys]

Hi all, sorry to pose such a basic question when I've been reading all your posts that are far more advanced than mine but I'm just starting out. I've seen several chord notations that look like this- C/G, G/B, D/F#. While I can figure out how to play a C chord or G chord I cant figure out what the slash indicates. Thanks for being understanding.

[allthumbs]

Slash chords are usualy indicating which version of the chord you need to play. As you will see, going through Kirks' lessons, he talks about basic chord structure. 1.3 and 5 intervals. You can play those chords with the intervals in different orders. The number after the slash indicates which note is the bass note. Depending on melodic need for that chord, some slash chords have a note in the bass not belonging to the chord like Jims' Steely Dan chord. Bbsus2/3. There is no 3 in a sus chord.

C/G is the 5 interval of the Chord played as the lowest note.
G/B. B= 3 interval
D/F#. F#= 3 interval
Hope that clears it up a bit.

[angels3boys]

Thank you very much, I'll have a little home work to do to really understand but you've got me on track. I appreciate it alot.

[Kirk Lorange]

Hi angels3boys.

allthumbs has it right but it might make it easier for you to understand to just say that the first letter is the chord, the letter after the slash is the bass note to use. The 'default' form of any chord uses the 'root' (1) as bass note of the chord, the note that the chord is named after. So, for example, when you see a chord written as G, you play a G note as the lowest note of that chord.

If you see G/B, you play a G chord, but you make the B note the bass note, the lowest note. The note after the slash is usually either the 1-3-5 of the chord, but not necessarily. You can have a G/F#. F# is the 7 of G, so in this case you have a Major7 chord which uses the 7 as bass note.

Because of the slash used in writing these down, they are all known as 'slash chords'.

Until you become aware of where these bass notes are on the fretboard, you can simply play the chord as indicated by the first letter. Slash chords are just a more detailed look at how to play the chord. In other words, a G/B is just a G chord.

[missileman]

I see slash chords often used when a descending or ascending baseline is wanted. Take Jim Croce's Time in a bottle as an example.

[angels3boys]

Thanks Kirk, that explaination helps me alot in my understanding while I delve into chord theory. I love that you have this site for those of us who need help. Thank you.