Ab in the bass, Bb and Db over top...what would you call the chord?

[bbernardini]

There's an F in the melody, but not in the accompaniment. Could be a Bbm/Ab, I suppose. Or an Absus2sus4 (no 5th). :) Thoughts?

[Le Taz Hot]

1. Could be a Bb7

with the 5 missing although that would be a weird bass, though not unheard of. Depending on what's around it, the bass could be a passing tone passing from/to something more traditional. What key is the piece in?

[trusty elf]

2. In baroque music that would be a third inversion "B flat minor 7" chord,

or a "six-four-two" chord.

In other words, a "B flat minor 7" with the "7" of the chord as the bass note.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Most Jazz Guys Would Call It. . .

. . .a Db6. The F in the melody is the third of the scale and the bass is the 5th.

So, it seems the chord name might be based upon the style of music in which it's being used.
GAC

[Swamp Rat]

4. It 'figures' you would answer the question this way.

:D :hi:

Run across any cool vihuela scores lately? I've got facsimiles of Milan, Narvaez, etc. but I am lazy and out of practice... :D

[trusty elf]

6. Hey Swamp Rat!

Just by chance I came across your post. These days there is a ton of music available in facsimile editions. Go to any of the sites-Minkoff, Forni, S.P.E.S., etc, and snoop around.
Obviously, you know the "trick" of tuning the third string of the guitar down a half step to f#. With that tuning you can play all of the vihuela and 6 course renaissance lute repertoire-an enormous amount of great music.


A while back I bought a beautiful 19th century guitar, made in 1829 in Paris by Guillaume Martin. It is perfect for playing Sor and Giuliani. It has a very warm, open, and clear sound with very quick response, and the string length is only 62,8cm, which makes the stretches very manageable.





I'm in Vienna now, doing a Handel opera. Great music!

All the best!

:hi:

[MilesColtrane]

5. If you want someone to just play those notes you'd call it a Bbm/Ab bass.

If you are analyzing the harmony of the piece, or if you are writing chord changes for someone to use to improvise over the accompaniment, you'd write it as a type of Absus chord. (depending on how it was functioning with the rest of the chords)