Originally Posted by: da_ardvark
After consulting several chord web sites, I seem to be perplexed. The only sites give this chord name as F6/B or Dm6. Why doesn't this chord have a B name? If it does have a B name, then what the heck is it?

Any chord can be named by using any note as the root, viewing the rest of the notes as their relative distance from that root note. Example: Take the notes you are playing: B - F - A - D

Use the B as the root and the rest become:
B=1st
F=flat 5th
A=minor 7th
D=minor 3rd
This is a B minor 7 flat 5
Also called a B half diminished

Use the F as the root and the rest become:
B=flat 5th
F=1st
A=major 3rd
D=6th
This is a F6/B (the /B indicates that B is the bass note or lowest note played)

Use the A as the root and the rest become:
B=2nd or 9th
F=flat 6th
A=1st
D=4th
This is an A flat 6 sus 2 sus 4
Which is SO convoluted it is accurate but a very poor choice

Use the D as the root and the rest become:
B=6th
F=minor 3rd
A=5th
D=1st
This is a D minor 6

Which one should you call it? Whichever best matches the other chords you are using with it. Or else, just call it the most simple and direct: B is the bass note so call it a B minor 7 flat 5.