More about slash chords

Filed in Free Lessons on June 11, 2011



Remember that slash chords are chords written like this: A^min7/D. When you see one, it means to play the first letter as a chord with the second letter as the bottom note in the bass.

Slash chords are often used to simplify things for the instrumentalist and they do make things simpler. If you do not label chords as slash chords, you end up labeling the bass note as the chord with a lot of 7^ths, 9^ths, 11^ths, and 13^ths.

You may have figured out that I am not a huge fan of labeling chords as slash chords. That is a preference (based on my study in jazz where slash chords are rarely used), but many great musicians disagree with me. Even many professional musicians prefer to see IV/V rather than something like V^7(9)(11). So, if you want to use slash chords, feel free. However, if you like my approach better, you will still need to use slash chords in some spots. Here is an example:



This chord is clearly an A minor 7th in second inversion. It would rarely be appropriate to call it a E^min(11)(13), though that would technically be correct. (The E and G hint at E minor, the A is the 11th and the C is the 13th.)

So, if you are just dealing with an inversion, classify the chord as a slash chord. Otherwise, it is up to you whether to think of them as slash chords or not. Practice strategy: (Continued from the last lesson)
If you were to pick up a hymnal and open to any song, would you be able to rattle off the chord names as fast as hymn is sung? If you can’t, start practicing on a hymn or two when you have a chance. Hymn chords are very simplistic and you will find yourself naming them quickly within a few months. If you come to chords that you can’t figure out, just skip them for now. If you need more help before starting this exercise, study the first example in this lesson.



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Benedict D'silva
8/23/2011 3:46:11 PM

In the explanation of the A min 7 in chord in the 2 nd inv.
just a correction....... that C is the b13 of E . C# is the 13 th.

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