Sharp 5 or flat 13? Sharp 9 or flat 10?

Question

Let's say I'm in C major. I have a dominant altered chord built on G. This very popular voicing has the following tones (I'm including both enharmonic spellings for the accidentals): G B (D# or Eb) F (A# or Bb) I'd call it a G7#5#9. A saxophonist I know called it G7#9b13. So I'm curious about two things: 1. Who's "right" and why? 2. Do the two spellings imply different scales? Which ones? Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

In one sense you're both right because the enharmonic spelling thing you mentioned does not change the actual sound of the chord. The function, however, is a little different. I'm thinking that good voice leading would take that flat spelling down to an appropriate note in the scale or next chord. Conversely, the sharp spelling would best lead up to an appropriate note in the scale or chord, Be nice to your band mates!