Chords

[swim4ever_22]

I'm having trouble identifying a few chords in Burgmuller's Op. 100 No. 1 "Sincerity."

In measure 5, the chord is B - F - G, and in measure 7, the chord is D - F# - C. Can anyone help me out with this?


Thanks.

[gerryjay]

 hey swimmer!
 i don't have my scores here, so i can't check it in detail.
 however, if you spell the chords upwards, the first is a G7/B (g major with minor seventh with bass on b) and the second is a D7 (d major with minor seventh).
 perhaps the problem is about the notes ommited since both are dominant-seventh chords (four-note chords) without a note (fifth ommited: d in the first, a in the second).
 hope it answers!
 

[Bob]

Yes, sounds like dom sevenths.  G7 and D7, fifth of the chord left out.  G7 inverted.

[guendola]

It is dangerous to name chords when you don't know the context.

As a general guideline, look for the fourth and the upper note is often the base note.
If there is a second, the lower note often is a 7th, sometimes the lower note is a 6th or perhaps a 9th or rarely a 4th (well, that depends on the style).
Another way is to figure out the "normal" chords of the key of the piece first and then check if there is a match.
Don't ever assume that a chord will be played fully. Prime, third or fifths might be missing and a third in a dominant seven chord as bass note is very unusual in classical music, so better check twice then (it does happen).

Ok, I have the score.

BFG is G7 without the fifth, leads to C in the next measure, just as one would expect by a dominant 7 G chord.
DF#C is D7 without fifth and - hooray - it leads to G in the next measure - just as it should

Interesting: The piece is called "artless mind" in my book.