Bb7b5(add Maj7) ... The Movie!

[Jim Soloway]

Just what you always wanted (I'm sure) ... a video using the un-namable Bb7b5(add Maj7) in context ... With chord diagrams no less (I think this is what happens when I get hot, over tired, and a bit stressed).

 

[James Freeman]

I was prepared to be aurally hurt but it's quite nice sounding.

 

[Jim Soloway]

I was prepared to be aurally hurt but it's quite nice sounding.

Thanks. For the most part, I'm really not into things that aurally hurt. Here it is in a vamp where you get to voice the whole thing at once and it still works. I think theory is fun but sometimes things just jump at you that sound good but break all the preconceived rules.

 

[Chocol8]

So what makes this not sound awful? Is it because the Bb, A, and Ab are in three different octaves rather than 3 semitones in a row? I wonder if someone with absolute pitch/perfect pitch would be more offended by it due to the way they hear octaves differently?

 

[Jim Soloway]

So what makes this not sound awful? Is it because the Bb, A, and Ab are in three different octaves rather than 3 semitones in a row? I wonder if someone with absolute pitch/perfect pitch would be more offended by it due to the way they hear octaves differently?

I do think that having the spread helps. I also think that having the flatted 7 in the middle with major 7th as the highest note helps. If those two were reversed it would completely fall apart. My guess is that without really thinking about it, we hear the dominant chord as a complete entity with the major 7th as a melody or accent note.

 

[Eagle]

So what makes this not sound awful? Is it because the Bb, A, and Ab are in three different octaves rather than 3 semitones in a row? I wonder if someone with absolute pitch/perfect pitch would be more offended by it due to the way they hear octaves differently?

The more distance the less offensive but your right that perfect pitch makes them more outlandish.