Slash Chords

Slash cords are typically written for keyboardists to easily write complicated chord voicings.  But, there are some very common slash chord shapes guitar players use, and it is important to have these under your belt.

A slash chord is written as a fraction, with the chord as the numerator and the bass note as the denominator.

For example: C/G. 

This means that you are playing a C major chord (C E G) with the note G in the bass.

Obviously, this is an inversion. 

Inversions are the most common slash chords for guitarists because they contain the exact notes of a triad, but with a note other than the root in the bass, therefore, implying a specific root movement.  

This root movement, if contributing the the main motif of a tune, makes this style of notation necessary.

The other main function of slash chords is to create additional diatonic tonalities. 

There are two main examples: 

1. V / I or Five over One. This means that the V chord in a given key is played with the key's tonic in the bass.

For example: in the key of C the V chord is G major and the I chord is C major. Therefore, a V/I in the the key of C is a G major chord with a C in the bass - G/C. 

Like we said before, this implies something besides a G major triad because while we have the notes of a G major chord, we have a C in the bass, which makes this a C something sound. The sound is an incomplete Cma9. Since Major 9 chords are major 7th chords with a 9 on top, they function as major 7th chords. 

Therefore, V / I slash chords are commonly used as I or IV chords in progressions. 

Attached are common shapes for V / I chords.

2.  IV / V or Four over Five. This means that the IV chord is played with the root of the V chord in the bass.

For example: In the key of C the IV chord is F Major and the V chord is G major. Therefore, a IV/V in the key of C major is an F major chord with a G in the bass - F/G. 

This chord functions as a dominant V chord due to the fact that the V is in the bass. 

This sound is actually dominant 11 or Dominant 9 sus. 

Note: Since this chord type does not contain a third, it can be used as a major or minor chord. The minor sound you hear is minor 9 sus. 

All you need to know is that the chord is dominant 9 if it resolves to a major triad and it is minor 9 if it resolves to a minor triad. 

Attached are common chord shapes for IV / V chords.

While all of this may seem a tad overwhelming, I assure you that slash chords and inversions make life much easier. For example, here is a very common progression in the key of C where the use of slash chords allowed the bass line movement to be very obvious. 

I have written the played chord followed by the chords function in parenthesis. 

C (I)      G/B (V)      Ami (Vimi)      F (IV)      C/E (I)      Dmi (II)      C(I)