Andrew Stiller wrote: > >Two non-internet friends are having an argument which the geniuses > >on this list should be able to put to rest. (I'm not a theory > >guru.) Is there a name for for a major chord built on the flat 7th? > >Example: Bb D F in CM. Thanks all. Shel > > The *name* of the chord is simply Bb Major (the respondent who called > it something else misunderstood your question). In traditional theory > its *function* is designated either VII (as opposed to viio, the > diminished chord built on the unflatted seventh), or V of III if it > behaves as a secondary dominant--but all of this only in the minor. > > The frequent appearance of this chord in the major mode in pop music > reflects the fact that most such music does not really fall into the > traditional major or minor modes at all, but into the Dorian or > Mixolydian, both of which have the seventh degree lowered and in > which a major triad would be built on that note as a matter of course. > > Traditional theory does allow for the borrowing of chords across > modes, so you could still call it VII or V of III, with the unspoken > understanding that either you are in Dorian or Mixolydian mode, or > that (more conservatively) you have borrowed this chord (and the > implied major III as well) from the minor.
I buy that, except for two small details: I'd call it bVII. In C major, which was specified in the original question, VII says "B major" to me. And also from the original question, we're talking about a Bb major triad, no seventh of any degree, so I don't think we can go the "secondary dominant" route (especially since we don't know that the next chord is an Eb-anything). Jon _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
