Theory: Double flats in chord names?

Subject: Theory: Double flats in chord names?
From: GUEST,pavane
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 06:44 AM

I am trying to establish whether this is necessary to include in my program.

Sometimes, particularly when a tune is written in a key signature requiring several flats (or sharps), a double flat (or sharp) is required within the score.

I imagine that in theory, if a chord is based on this note, it would also have to have a double flat in its name.

Thus I suppose that, for example, Gbb7, or C##maj7 would be possible

Has anyone ever seen this in real scores? Would I have to allow for it when transposing? Or can I just ignore it?

What do other programs do?

Subject: RE: Theory: Double flats in chord names?
From: GUEST,T-boy
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 07:43 AM

Ignore it. You would have to be extra pedantic to insist on this.

There are perfectly valid reasons for double sharps and double flats in tunes, and within chords, but no need for them in the actual chord names.

Although technically for example a tune in C minor which had a B7 in it would, if it were transposed to G sharp minor, need a F-double-sharp-7, this would be the same as a G7 and no-one in their right mind is going to worry about the difference.

Subject: RE: Theory: Double flats in chord names?
From: GUEST,pavane
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 08:06 AM

That's pretty much what I thought. Thanks

Subject: RE: Theory: Double flats in chord names?
From: GUEST,MTed
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 06:49 PM

Actually, T-Boy, I think, in your example, the chord *would* be called a G7, because with that change, the melody would have passed into another key(the key of F#) and the g would officially be called a flatted ninth, it would be functionally a passing chord in the dominant harmony( V7b5)--a key change like this(which actually happens a lot) is virtually never shown in the key signature, it is indicated with accidentals.

From my own experience reading chords from sheet music,the- copyist will often paste the name of some random diminished chord, and leaves it to the chord player to deal with it as best as possible--Sometimes, they even leave it blank--

Subject: RE: Theory: Double flats in chord names?
From: pavane
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 06:25 AM

It still means that I don't need to implement it! Good