Height (pedal, bass, treble) is a factor in naming the chord.
- How low is the lowset note. If it is a pedal note then it is the bass of the chord.
- Look for a triad in the notes from the bass end up.
- Work your chord up in 3rds.
Example: Name this chord
- Pedal C is played. C is the bass of the chord.
- The notes directly above C are G (5th) and E (major 3rd).
- The chord is definitely C something.
- Add more notes from the data. Build your chord in 3rds
| C | E | G | = C | ||||
| C | E | G | Bb | = C7 | |||
| C | E | G | Bb | D | = C9 | ||
| C | E | G | Bb | D | F# | = C9#11 | |
| C | E | G | Bb | D | F# | A | = C13#11 |
The chord is C13#11 in open voicing. It could be played by 3 trumpets and four trombones. See how the common intervals are in the bass clef and the compound intervals are in the treble clef.