I can't name this chord. :(

ethic · #1 April 25th, 2006

e-----2-
B-----4-
G-----4-
D-----2-
A-----2-
E-------

B.. something.

The closest I can see is a Bsus4. But that's not
right. There's still a 3. This chord is like, 1, 3, 4, 5...
I think.

Maybe it's not even a B chord but an E instead?

Would Emaj9 or Emaj9/B be correct? But Emaj9
is supposed to have a G in there for the 3rd. Grrr.
I need 1, 5, 7, 9.

So confused.

Wundzunhome · #2 April 25th, 2006

It's Badd11 - you play notes from B, and add a note which is 11th scale degree counting from B (chord root). The same rules apply for 9th's or 13th's.
So it goes 1 - 3 - 5 - 11 (11 is actually the same note as 4, which is an E here).

allthumbs · #3 April 25th, 2006

B ADD 11
e-----2- =5 Intervals
B-----4- =3
G-----4- =1
D-----2- =4
A-----2- =1
E-------

Sometimes it is easier to figure out a chord in the context of the progression it is part of. Most chords can have multiple names depending on context in a tune.

USGold · #4 April 25th, 2006

Does that make the A the 11?

allthumbs · #5 April 25th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by USGold

Does that make the A the 11?

I believe the E would be the 11. Keep in mind it is an add 11 because there is no b7 or 9th in this chord.

bmurnahan · #6 April 25th, 2006

Even though you could theoretically call this chord a Badd11 that would be highly unusual because of the conflict in sound and function between the 3rd of the chord and the 11th. Also, because the E is in a lower register this is also unlikely.

In what context are you using this chord. Can you post the progression? As mentioned earlier this chord could be functioning as an Emaj7 with the 9th added and the 3rd omitted.

It could also be an F#13sus4/B depending on the context.

scotty_b · #7 April 26th, 2006

I would see it as a voicing of Emaj9, or I guess it could even be called Emaj7sus2. Depending on the context, the absence of the 3rd may not even be that important, ie someone else may play or sing the 3rd anyway.

cshude · #8 April 27th, 2006

When you get in a quandary like this, try:
http://www.gootar.com/guitar/
It's pretty nifty- you just click on the individual frets that make up the chord, and it will tell you what it is (even has the multiple names in there depending on what key you're in).