9745 / 18210 · Workshop 80 — Harmonic Ambiguity and Delayed Identity: Sus Chords, No-3rd Voicings, Slash Chords, Pedals, and Letting the Listener Discover the Harmony← prev⊞ allnext →
80.65Upper structures are ambiguous until anchored
An upper triad alone does not necessarily communicate the parent chord.
You need:
- bass
- guide tones
- context
to define its role.
This is why sophisticated harmony must be grounded.