Identifying A Chord's Root
It is possible to recognize a chord's root using several different techniques. "When an inverted chord is written on the staff in musical notation, the root of the chord may be identified by rearranging the notes of the chord until they are stacked in third intervals (as close together as possible ). Once this is done, the lowest note will automatically be the root. Then the inversion can be identified, and a slash chord symbol used, if necessary."
If the chord is an inverted triad in close spacing, then the root will be directly above the interval of a fourth. Similarly, if the chord is an inverted seventh chord in close spacing, then the root will be directly above the interval of a second.
Chords in atonal music are often of indeterminate root, as are equal-interval chords and mixed-interval chords are often best characterized by their interval content.
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