Is there a symbol above a staff to Indicate "Hollow" Fifths?

[kenperlman]

I am writing a book of banjo tablature devoted to Appalachian fiddle tunes, and I am including chord symbols above the staff (but NOT chord diagrams). When it comes to "modal" tunes I would often prefer that the reader should simply use "hollow fifths" as a tonic instead of a major or minor triad. For example in the key of A they would use a two note based tone cluster made up simply of A notes and E notes instead of Amin or Amaj. I do this in my own playing and it works great because the tonic thirds in such tunes on fiddle are often in between pitch values or even non-existent.

Is there a way of notating this via chord symbol? I thought of using A-modal or Amod to indicate a tonic chord based on hollow fifths, but it takes up too much space and I fear it will simply confuse people. Alternatively it occurs to me that I've seen the term "A5" somewhere. Anyway, if anyone has any insight I would much appreciate it.

[miker]

That’s what’s called a “power chord.” Noting it as a 5 would be acceptable.

[Peter Thomsen]

In the default file Maestro Font Default, and in the default file Handwritten Default (which uses the Broadway Copyist font), there is the chord suffix (omit 3).

[Bill Stevens]

Ken,

Both those suggestions are correct but for me, as a clawhammer player, the 5 seems preferable. In your introduction you would just explain what you said in your post about hollow 5ths, or open 5ths, and the marking.

I look forward to seeing your book when it comes out.

Bill Stevens
North Carolina

[oldmkvi]

Power Chord: A Chord with the Chord left out:
Power Interval...


What's the Definition of a triad?

It's a Chord with the 6th left out.

Don't think about it!