How good is your ear?

I am amazed at the musical ears that some people have. Today, I want share a quick example.

I have a song on the new project that has very thick complex chords, and in the back of my mind, I sort of wondered if Steve Mauldin was going to be able to identify the chords correctly from the rough recording I sent him. I got the rhythm chart from him recently, and sure enough, he was spot on.

Here are a few lines from the chart.  Note the chords.

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I was pretty amazed. There was one chord in particular in the song that I wondered if he would get. Here is how I play it.

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This chord is a C#7(#9). It is a very dissonant sound to most people; play it on your piano and you will see what I mean.  Sure enough, Steve identified it just by listening.