[Chaotic Kittie]

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

I know that essentially, this is a Gmaj7 but with the B as bass tone, but I want it as a Bm chord, and I'm not quite sure as to what it would be then, as it then is a minor 6th in it, so it's obviously not a Bm6/Bm13.

Could it be Bm-6/Bm-13?

[allthumbs]

I see it as a Bm6. The intervals are 1,5,6,b3. That open string is a #5 , you need to fret the 1 fret for it to be a 6. For it to be a 13th, you would need at least a b7 or 9 in there too.
Check out Bm6 here.

http://www.looknohands.com/chordhous.../index_rb.html
chord house ::: guitar room (advanced) -- online guitar chords and scales

[Chaotic Kittie]

But it can't be a Bm6, as I understand it. Wouldn't there be a whole tone gap between the 5 and 6 then? In this one it's only a semitone.

Also I've always heard that note referred to as a minor 6th, didn't know you could call it a #5.
That's why I wondered if you could call it a Bm-6(Bmb6), as with Bm7-5/Bm7b5

Also, if we stick strictly to the key of E minor, aeolian mode, and all rules applied, could this be viewed as a Bm-chord at all, or would it force me to call it a Gmaj7?
It's homework, so that's why I have to stick strictly to the E minor aeolian mode.

[Fretsource]

Yes, if B is the root then it's a Bm b6 aka B min (min 6)

But it would be very very unlikely. It's much more likely to be G maj7 as you said. I don't know of ANY song that has a minor (b6)

Edit: BTW - the name of the chord has nothing to with any mode. Chords are named according to the major scale of the chord's root.

[Chaotic Kittie]

Okay, but our "homework" is to write a melody and stick strictly to the E aeolian mode, no outside tones allowed at all, and only around the chords Em, Am, and Bm, but with extensions if we want to, as long as the extension note is within the E aeolian mode, which is why I pointed that out.
So I guess that I'm safe to call it an extended Bmin then!

Thanks a lot

[Fretsource]

If that G is just a brief passing note on top of the B minor chord, then it doesn't need a name - It's just B minor. Most of the time a G note would just appear and disappear quickly - it wouldn't stay long enough to make a name for itself.
If you stay on it long enough then it would have the name we said Bm(b6) - but the reason we rarely see it is because the G is an avoid tone as it makes a very dissonant minor second interval with the F#. Usually the quicker we pass through it, the better.

Anyway, it's NOT an extended chord, as it has no 7th, so it's an added chord

[Chaotic Kittie]

Hehe, that dissonant interval is the reason I like the chord.
Okay, I thought you called all chords with more than 1-3-5 extended =o Now I know better! Thanks!

[Birddog]

Heres where I ask my novice question - what does the number after the letter mean ? I was looking at a tab link that I was directed to and see all of those and I have no clue what they mean - is this the number of the fret or something else. Please somebody educate me - its been over 22 yrs since I had a general music lesson .
To me it looks like a Little Orphan Annie decoder ring setting.
Told you guys I am a beginner.
Thanks for the help.

[si16]

A basic chord is made up of only three notes e.g. C major chord = C E G. The number after the chord name represents any notes you are playing in addition to the three original notes e.g. C major 7 = C E G and B. It's called major 7 because B is the 7th note of the C major scale. C maj 7 should not be confused with C7 which is C E G and Bb (note that this features a flat seven).

Although it may sound confusing, once you know the basic rules it makes sense. Here is a lesson on chord construction which should help.

[allthumbs]

Check out the lessons on intervals too.

[Birddog]

quick question - what is a "diminished" chord or note?

[allthumbs]

Originally Posted by Birddog

quick question - what is a "diminished" chord or note?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diminished_chord