Hi Denis: You are correct! Unfortunately 'none' of the Roland arranger keyboards (including the VA7) recognize rootless type chords. That is the reason I won't even consider a Roland brand arranger. Unfortunately, 'only' Yamaha, Technics and the Solton SD1 recognize rootless type chord voicings. I hope Roland, Korg, and GEM will see the 'light' and incorporate rootless chord recognition too. - Scott