Chord symbols and alternate ways of writing them

[JDandCoke]

ive never really understood why sometimes a chord will be writen as say C/A instead of Am7

just as an example.
of course this is more often the case with more complicated chords.

but why should it be writen one way and not the other?

[kimock]

ive never really understood why sometimes a chord will be writen as say C/A instead of Am7

just as an example.
of course this is more often the case with more complicated chords.

but why should it be writen one way and not the other?

Context.
1st example could be an optional name in a walk down.
Or the whole tune could be a bunch of slash chords and it might be more consistent with that style of composition to give it that handle.

Chord symbols and names are either right, wrong, or optional.
It's all kind of open to interpretation, depending on context.

[Gene]

Slash chords tend to get the bass player to play the bass note specified than a Am7 where he might play any note of the chord. Also, musically, I use it if the bass stays the same and the triad moves. For instance: C/A, to G/A. This states more specifically what I want musically than Am7 to A9sus.

[KRosser]

ive never really understood why sometimes a chord will be writen as say C/A instead of Am7

just as an example.
of course this is more often the case with more complicated chords.

but why should it be writen one way and not the other?

Why do some people call you "Mr Coke", some just call you "JD", your friends call you "J", your kids call you "Dad" and the bank by your full legally born name, when in fact you are all the same person?

Context.

[Old Tele man]

...it's called WRITING for the AUDIENCE, ie: writing with the intent to convey specific information to a specific reader (musician).

[JDandCoke]

thanks for the replies...

i just wasnt sure if there was a strict set of rules when writing these things out.

ive just been studying some faure (though an editorial transcript) and they have used a bunch of slash chords when really they could be written as relatively simple extentions.

there isnt a reason for this though?
the chord voicings are even notated beneath it!

(and yes its piano music)

thanks guys!
(and i dont have kids ;))

[KRosser]

thanks for the replies...

i just wasnt sure if there was a strict set of rules when writing these things out.

ive just been studying some faure (though an editorial transcript) and they have used a bunch of slash chords when really they could be written as relatively simple extentions.

there isnt a reason for this though?
the chord voicings are even notated beneath it!

(and yes its piano music)

thanks guys!
(and i dont have kids ;))

Methink it's the editor's choice, as I'm sure Faure didn't write chord symbols. There could be a contextual reason or it could just be a lousy editor.

Get yourself some kids already!