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Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 5:32 pm
by jdogric12
Bob, I think you may be going around your knee to get to your elbow. The combination of G#, B, D, and F gives us G#dim7 (also written G#o7). I choose G# as the root since the bass motion implied here is G to G# to A.

Dim7 chords can be tricky at first. Any dimished 7 chord consists of three stacked minor thirds, thus any inversion is essentially the same chord. It would be 'spelled' differently, though.

If we had B, D, F, Ab (same notes as above) it would be a Bdim7.

D, F, Ab, Cb (still the same notes) comprise a Ddim7.

This week's challenge: How would you spell Fdim7?

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:05 pm
by telebob
Ha! I guess my rudimentary knowledge of theory is showing through. The F implied a 6th to me as I took it from the major scale. I can see now in the context of stacked minor thirds. Not sure how that happens, but I understand how it works now. Thanks.

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:14 pm
by sloop_john_b
Am13b5! I think if I was reading a chart and I saw that i'd s**t myself out of fear!

J, Fdim7 would be spelled F-Ab-Cb-Eb.

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:31 am
by telebob
Yeah but, did you play the progression? It's a lot of fun to comp over and solo over as well.

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:26 am
by jdogric12
Try again, biscuit boy. Image You spelled F half dim7.

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:15 pm
by sloop_john_b
D'oh!

That should be F-Ab-Cb-Ebb! Image

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 3:12 am
by jdogric12
Yes, the doubble flatts are trrickky.

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:14 pm
by jdogric12
JB, I'll up the ante... what chord is this:

A C Eb F#

Spelling counts!

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:18 pm
by sloop_john_b
My guess is:

Am6b5?

::goes and checks::

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:23 pm
by sloop_john_b
Well I can't seem to find the answer, so here's my rationale:

A-C-Eb-Gb would be, of course Adim. But, since we've got an F#, spelling counts! F is the 6th scale degree of Am, G is the 7th.

What we have here is an A minor chord with a flatted 5th - the Eb. I am a little thrown off, however, by the F#. Wouldn't the 6th scale degree be F, not F#?

Regardless, I stand by my guess. J?

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:23 pm
by jdogric12
F#o7, 1st inversion.

J Dog's first rule of theory: don't think too much!

J Dog's second rule of theory: don't drink too much!

I frequently break both rules.

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:39 pm
by sloop_john_b
Oh damn. Wasn't even thinking inversions. Ugh.

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:07 pm
by johnallg
You two are scary!

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:10 pm
by sloop_john_b
J, what do you say we devise some sort of theory-related drinking game? You in John? Image

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:16 pm
by johnallg
I'd be on the floor in the first round!! I know zilch for theory. I do know the notes are A B C D E F and G. There are sharps and flats. That's it.