[ethic]

hi.

Just got a quick question on slash chords. Does the
note after the slash have to be part of the actual
chord? Like, G/B would be a G with a B bass note,
right? B is one of the notes (the 3) of a G maj chord...

But, would G/F actually be a valid way to write a
slash chord, or would it be some type of F chord?

Are Slash Chords even an "official" part of theory?

Am I making sense?

[si16]

Perfect sense, Ethic. The root note in a slash chord is normally a chord tone like a 3rd or 5th but can be any note. Obviously some notes will sound better than others. F isn't a chord tone of G it's the flat 7th. So G/F is another way of playing G7.

[6string]

Slash chords also known as Polychords

[Nem]

Originally Posted by 6string

Slash chords also known as Polychords

are they not inversions?

but the note after the "slash" can be anything. it usually is a note in the same key though

[allthumbs]

They can be inversions. It is often used to indicate a walking bass line running through the chord changes.

[cshude]

The example given (G/B) would be an inversion, since the chord notes would be B-D-G instead of G-B-D. Typically in the songs I've seen, the slash chord is indicating a bass note that is typically not part of the triad.

[Kirk Lorange]

Originally Posted by 6string

Slash chords also known as Polychords

That's not quite right, 6string, polychords are two chords played together, which is what extended chords are. Some slash chords are, some aren't. For example, a C11 is really a C chord AND a Bb chord played together ... so you can write that as Bb/C ... but a G/B is just a major triad.

Slash chords are chords with bass notes other than the usual 1. They're usually either the 3 or 5, but can be other notes, which of course become chord tones once they're there being played. As Simon points out, a G/F is really a G7, but a specific inversion of G7 where the b7 (the F) is played as bass note.

Using G as example, you can have:

G/B, G/C (sus4), G/D, G/F (7th), G/F# (Maj7) ... G/E is better known as Em7 ... G/A is better known as A11 ...

That's my understanding, anyway!

[6string]

Originally Posted by Kirk

That's not quite right, 6string, polychords are two chords played together, which is what extended chords are. Some slash chords are, some aren't.

It's something I read, maybe I didn't understand it correctly , if I ever find the book I'll reread it.

[USGold]

the part of reading-using slash chords as you've called them here ,for me is deciding if the voicing of the lower half of the slash should be below or above the voicing of the major named chord from the top of the slash--any advice? Scott

[allthumbs]

It is usually below the major chord voicing. To indicate a non chord tone to be played other than ,the bass, a + is used. Ie Am+6 etc.

[USGold]

thanks AT that is good to know, Scott