How do you play the C Viennese trichord/E chord?

To play the C Viennese trichord/E chord on piano, play the C Viennese trichord chord (C, C# and F#) with E as the lowest bass note. Place the E note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What notes are in the C Viennese trichord/E chord?

The C Viennese trichord/E chord uses the 3 notes of the C Viennese trichord chord — C (Perfect unison), C# (Minor second) and F# (Diminished fifth) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The C Viennese trichord/E chord means a C Viennese trichord chord with E in the bass.

C Viennese trichord/E

The C Viennese trichord chord consists of the C (Perfect unison), C# (Minor second) and F# (Diminished fifth) notes, with E as the bass note.

How to play the C Viennese trichord/E chord

Play E as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add C# (Minor second) — 1 semitone above C
Add F# (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above C
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the C Viennese trichord/E chord

Related slash chords

F# sus(#4)/E