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Hey All,

I was watching a piano tutorial of billy joels the stranger and during the middle of the intro there is a five note chord used. Can anyone clarify this for me? I have never encountered this before.It occurs at about 7.32: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KakGI4R1xNw&feature=channel Also, I'm playing the stranger after 10 month's experience; what do you all think? Does anyone here play this?

Douglas

theres all types of chords so its hard and broad. a chord like that could have several different names. id call it a g 6 chord probly meaning a 6th above g. or it could be a suspended chord.

Hello,

It’s good to keep in mind that chord symbols or names are just an abbreviated way of showing what harmonies are being used: Although convenient, they rarely tell the whole story.

You should never expect too much of chord names, and should identify the reason you wish to name a given group of notes.. Is it to help yourself play, or to convey to others what to play?

Generally, musical context can have a bearing:

In your example, the harmony basis for the LH “chord” could indicate, for example G major, C major, A minor, E minor..

However, globally, the chord you can hear also includes the notes played by the RH, B – G – A , and this is further underlined by the use of the sustain pedal.

The RH notes reinforce the G major chord harmony basis (rather than, say an A minor chord with G in the bass, Cmaj7/G with added 2nd or an E minor with an added 2nd and 6th, ).

The G in the bass underpins this harmonic analysis.


I would say then there is no standard name for this chord as it’s being played.

If a name were absolutely required, I would call it G2/6 sus 4: The number 2 refers to the A and the “sus 4” to the C.

The best way to convey this chord accurately though is by using musical notation or by spelling out the note names, which is what the musician does in the video.

Good luck!