Lesson
Slash Chords
A slash chord is a chord that indicates a bass note other than the root note. Slash chords are often used to create a counter-melodies in the bass, as well a...
C Major (Root Position)
- Formula
- 1 3 5
- Symbols
- C, CM, Cmaj
- Notes
- C4, E4, G4
- Inversion
- Root Position
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A slash chord is a chord that indicates a bass note other than the root note. Slash chords are often used to create a counter-melodies in the bass, as well as create more interesting and complex harmonies.
The notation for a slash chord consists of the chord symbol, followed by a slash (”/”), and then the bass note that should be played.
For example, the chord notation “C/G” indicates a C chord with a G note played in the bass.
The bass note in a slash chord can be a note that is already a part of the chord, but it doesn’t have to be. For example, you can have a Dmin7/G chord.
Utilizing slash chords is a method for employing chord symbols that can be mentally processed more quickly. For example, the chord above is also a G7sus4(add9) chord. Dmin7/G for some people is quicker and easier to process.