Ear training question

[place]

I hear the Gsus7b9 chord (in the O Holy Night Lesson) more as a IV chord than as a V chord sound. Is this "normal?" Or I guess more appropriately is this how it functions or is that just the way I'm hearing it. Obviously, you could write it as a slash chord Fm/G. That would seem to be a better way to notate it (easier for me to play--no tensions to figure out) but since it seems to be "acting" like a dominate chord I suppose its better as the Gsus. I'm sure I'm just over thinking this whole thing but it bugs me since I really hear the minor IV chord rather than the dominate sound.

So for rambling but I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks

Mark

P.S. Would LOVE an ear training lesson

[williemyette]

Thanks Mark,

Ear training on the way!

F-/G is a valid way of writing the chord also. I chose the G7sus4b9 to make it easier to see its function as a V chord. It is natural to hear many chords in one. You have brought up a perfect example. Here you can hear it as a V chord, but since so many of the notes also make up an F-, it IS easy for the ear to hear IV- instead.

In fact, when you play just about ANY chord, if you place different notes in the bass (LH) it will change the quality of the chord completely. Bass players have a lot of power when it comes to chord quality.

D-F-A-C with D in the bass is a D-7 chord. Now, throw a Bb in the bass and it becomes BbMaj7 with a 9.

Eb in the bass makes an EbMaj7#11 chord...and so on.

Try playing an F- in that section. If you like the sound of that better...use it! There is absolutely NO rule that says that you can't change the chords or their quality.

Hope this helps!

-w