Slash chords – optional or not?

[zZippy]

I'd like to hear opinions about which note(s) people play when they encounter slash chords. And is there a different approach when playing first-inversion vs. second-inversion slash chords.

For instance this morning at our church one of the pieces that we plays was O Come All Ye Faithful. Like a lot of traditional Christmas music, there are a lot of chord changes. And things are often written with quite a few slash chords.

Here's the first verse:

G/D and D/A are second inversion (perfect fifth).
G/B and A/C# are first inversion (major third).

I generally just played through the roots, but I did zing the slash-bass on occasion. Of course either choice sounded fine as we're dealing with roots vs. major thirds or perfect fifths in each case. Nothing dissonant.

But what is best practice here? What would you do? Thanks!

 

[lz4005]

The whole point of a slash chord is that the bass plays the note below the slash. If not you're doing it wrong.

 

[zZippy]

The whole point of a slash chord is that the bass plays the note below the slash. If not you're doing it wrong.

Thanks!

 

[buldog5151bass]

^. This. The slash shows an altered bass. It often is used when there is a moving bass run, like the lastest line in your example.

 

[zZippy]

^. This. The slash shows an altered bass. It often is used when there is a moving bass run, like the lastest line in your example.

Thanks. Yeah that last line is where I did it as it was convenient.

Thanks for your help. I’m a reformed guitarist learning the bass ropes.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Thanks. Yeah that last line is where I did it as it was convenient.

Thanks for your help. I’m a reformed guitarist learning the bass ropes.

It's not convenience. That's the way the song was written. Don't just play the roots if that is not what was written.

 

[ArtechnikA]

As you can see in your example, slash chords are useful in voice-leading (they anticipate the next change) and providing drama and direction (that D/A - G/B leading up to the C gives you a G - A - B walkup to the C). They're the arranger's way of showing additions to the harmony.

 

[zZippy]

It's not convenience. That's the way the song was written. Don't just play the roots if that is not what was written.

Since it’s a classic Christmas carol, I think there’s some leeway for interpretation (no, I don’t just play roots). Also since we have no full score, just chords... well it’s not Chopin if you know what I mean.

 

[zZippy]

As you can see in your example, slash chords are useful in voice-leading (they anticipate the next change) and providing drama and direction (that D/A - G/B leading up to the C gives you a G - A - B walkup to the C). They're the arranger's way of showing additions to the harmony.

Hey thanks for this. Good point on voice leading too.

 

[RobTheRiot]

Yup, as soon as I see slash chords, that’s stating that the composer has a specific motion in mind for the bass, so I play the notes under/to the right of the slash.

I always figure as a bass player reading a chord chart, I’m free to outline and move from chord to chord as I think best fits the song. However, when I see those slashes, I assume they are usually non-negotiable, and are there for a reason - so I play them as written.

But that’s just me...

 

[zZippy]

Yup, as soon as I see slash chords, that’s stating that the composer has a specific motion in mind for the bass, so I play the notes under/to the right of the slash.

I always figure as a bass player reading a chord chart, I’m free to outline and move from chord to chord as I think best fits the song. However, when I see those slashes, I assume they are usually non-negotiable, and are there for a reason - so I play them as written.

But that’s just me...

Good points, thanks.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

………
Thanks for your help. I’m a reformed guitarist learning the bass ropes.

I stood behind a guitarists that played by ear, but, did follow the sheet music...… when I played the note behind the slash his shoulders would hunch up and he would give me the fish eye...

He did not understand that the bass plays the note behind the slash, usually like a root note. He was expecting me to play the root ahead of the slash …….

In case you ever have a guitarists like mine......

 

[Russell L]

Simple. Do what it says. Educate the guitarist.

 

[SteveCS]

I'd like to hear opinions...

G/D and D/A are second inversion (perfect fifth).
G/B and A/C# are first inversion (major third).

...

But what is best practice here? What would you do? Thanks!

You've almost answered your own question. You mention the inversions and identified them correctly, but your understanding of the concept looks incomplete. First inversion is 3rd in the bass, second inversion is 5th in the bass, i.e. the lowest pitch in the arrangement. So, as bass players, if our part has the lowest pitch, we must play that 3rd or 5th.

 

[lowphatbass]

Always think from the root. Gmaj w/ B in the bass is not a “G chord”, it’s a “B chord”.

 

[SteveCS]

Always think from the root. Gmaj w/ B in the bass is not a “G chord”, it’s a “B chord”.

No, it's still G...

 

[zZippy]

You've almost answered your own question. You mention the inversions and identified them correctly, but your understanding of the concept looks incomplete. First inversion is 3rd in the bass, second inversion is 5th in the bass, i.e. the lowest pitch in the arrangement. So, as bass players, if our part has the lowest pitch, we must play that 3rd or 5th.

Right! Thanks.

 

[Russell L]

No, it's still G...

Correct.

G/B = a G chord with B in the bass. It is NOT any kind of B chord.

That is, BDG. Still the same notes of a G major triad, only in first inversion (with the 3rd in the bass).

 

[StatesideRambler]

When I read “slash chords” I know I’m not in a musically enlightened environment. There are many reasons for a composer or arranger to specify inversions. They’re saying they want a certain sound that you don’t get when the lowest note of the chord is the root. Left of the slash is the chord name and right of the slash is the note they want as the lowest note in the chord at that place in the piece. Except in avant garde music the lowest note is always going to be a chord tone. You can play the root and it’ll fit but you’ll sound like plainwrap vanilla where rocky road is called for.

 

[lowphatbass]

No, it's still G...

I respectfully disagree. I realize this is just a nomenclature discrepancy but from my point of view, as a bass player, I prefer to name chords by their roots...it makes my job easier.