Part 5: Slash Chords
Slash chords can be one of two things:
- Inversions: chords that have a one of their notes other that the root in the bass
- Ex. C/E = C E G with an E in the bass, so low to high, E G C
- This is can also be used to make a melodic bass line.
- The example below is a common use of melodic bass slash chords.
- Complex sounds: chords where the bass note isn’t a typical note to the chord.
- Slash chords can notate exotic dissonances.
- Ex. C∆7/Db = C E G B with Db in the bass, or, low to high, Db E G B C
- We often use these when natural and altered extensions would look odd.
- Ex. writing the C∆7/Db chord above would be a mess any other way.
- Ex. Dbø7(add∆7)…maybe? Or Db∆7#13…ouch!
- Ex. writing the C∆7/Db chord above would be a mess any other way.
- Let’s try another one.
- E∆9/C or C∆7#9#5#11. Which would you rather read?
- It’s also worth mentioning, your players are likely to play these two chords very differently, and the E∆9/C requires less mental gymnastics to play.
- Slash chords can notate exotic dissonances.