Psycho chord (B♭m(maj7)/F): guitar chord

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Standard

Psycho, 1960 · Bernard Herrmann · Psycho chord · nearest shape for the hand

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Standard

Psycho, 1960 · Bernard Herrmann · nearest shape for the hand

Famous

Standard

Psycho, 1960 · Bernard Herrmann · nearest shape for the hand

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B♭m(maj7)

B♭m(maj7)/F Standard

4 strings

FamousPsycho chordPsycho, 1960 · Bernard Herrmann

Prelude (main title), bars 1–3: short syncopated stabs, sff on muted strings; it returns through the Prelude (which begins and ends on it) and closes the cue 'Marion'

A B♭ minor chord with an A added, played with F in the bass: B♭m(maj7)/F. It is the first sound of Psycho, hammered out as short, loud stabs by strings wearing mutes, so it is violent but choked. The A grinds a half step against the B♭ and Herrmann never lets it resolve, which keeps the whole title sequence on edge.

Also called Hitchcock chord, minor-major seventh chord

Sources: Pearson Edexcel A-level set-work guide, Herrmann: Psycho · Royal Holloway Teacher Hub, 'Bernard Herrmann's Film Music: Psycho and others' · Bill Wrobel, 'Chord Profile #2 (Psycho)' (from the written score)

Chord clock

What’s in it

R B♭♭3 D♭5 F7 A

About this shape

Lowest note: B♭2, the root
Highest note: D♭4, the ♭3rd
Stretch: 3 frets
Fingers: 4 fingers

Where it sits on the neck

Fingering not checked by a guitarist yet.

Psycho chord (B♭m(maj7)/F): guitar chord

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Psycho chord (B♭m(maj7)/F): guitar chord

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B♭m(maj7) on other instruments

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