some elucidations about chord notations in tabs

[nourdine]

hello

I have a couple of questions about tablature and chors notations.

# 1st question #

A chord defined omitting "maj" or "min" is to be intended as built on top of the dominant scale, right?

E.g.: D9 has to be built using this scale: D E F+ G A B C D using 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 that is to say D, F+, A, C, E?

# 2nd question #

What is the difference between Em7/9 and Em7-9

Thanks

[derek]

Originally Posted by nourdine

hello

I have a couple of questions about tablature and chors notations.

# 1st question #

A chord defined omitting "maj" or "min" is to be intended as built on top of the dominant scale, right?

E.g.: D9 has to be built using this scale: D E F+ G A B C D using 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 that is to say D, F+, A, C, E?

# 2nd question #

What is the difference between Em7/9 and Em7-9

Thanks

With regard to your first question, if there is no minor/major, cap M or lower case m, or triangle symbol or - next to the chord, then the next question is, does it have a number next to it. If it just has a number next to it, then it is a dominant chord like C7, C9, C13, etc. However if it just a plain C or G, then it is a major triad.

When expressing notes in a scale, it is more common to use # for sharp rather than + as you did above to note F#. The augmented sign +, means something different to most musicians, and isn't synonymous with sharp.

Second question is regarding notation again. I don't run across chords very often that are expressed Em7/9. Usually when I see a slash, it is another letter like Em7/G. That would be an Em7 chord with the G in the bass, or 1st inversion. An Em7/9 suggests to me Em7add9, or simply Em9.

Your second chord, Em7-9 is a different beast. With an Em9 you have 1, b3, 5, b7, 9. With Em7-9 you have 1, b3, 5, b7, b9. Hope that helps. Maybe others will have a different take on this.

[randalljazz]

agree completely.

[nourdine]

Originally Posted by derek

With regard to your first question, if there is no minor/major, cap M or lower case m, or triangle symbol or - next to the chord, then the next question is, does it have a number next to it. If it just has a number next to it, then it is a dominant chord like C7, C9, C13, etc. However if it just a plain C or G, then it is a major triad.

Cool then I was right. The omission of maj/min means that whatever comes after the 5th has to be taken from the Dominant scale.

Originally Posted by derek

When expressing notes in a scale, it is more common to use # for sharp rather than + as you did above to note F#. The augmented sign +, means something different to most musicians, and isn't synonymous with sharp.

yep that was me being stupid "#" and "b" rule!

Originally Posted by derek

An Em7/9 suggests to me Em7add9, or simply Em9.

Yeah that's what I thought too. It just sounds redundant to me! The 9th implies the 7th already so I didnt see the point in being so pedantic!

Originally Posted by derek

Your second chord, Em7-9 is a different beast. With an Em9 you have 1, b3, 5, b7, 9. With Em7-9 you have 1, b3, 5, b7, b9.

Basically the 5th is diminished and therefore ends up out of the minor scale? Is that it?

Thanks a lot. It was much appreciated!

[peterk1]

Exceptions to everything though.

C6 would be a major. Sometimes written Cmaj6 but a lot of places you just see C6.