Chapter 3 Part Two

Introduction to Triads and Seventh Chords

Inversions of Chords

1 is called “root”
If the root is in the bass, the chord is in root position.
If the 3 rd is in the bass, the chord is in 1 st inversion
If the 5 th is in the bass, the chord is in 2 nd inversion
If the 7 th is in the bass (7 th chords only), the chord is in 3 rd inversion.
Note: The order or arrangement of the upper tones does not matter.

53 5 Root Position C or just C C3 Inversion Symbols First Inversion C 63 or just C 6 and 64 Figured Second Inversion C

Bass - 1 Root Position C 753 or just C 7

Remember First Inversion C 653 or just C 65 the Magic Telephone Second Inversion C 643 or just C 43 number 765 - 4342 Third Inversion C 642 or just C 42 or even C 2

1 Inversion Symbols and Figured Bass - 2

Figured Bass is a system of notation from the Baroque Period (1600- 1750)
The way it works is very similar to the way today’s jazz or pop musicians improvise with a lead sheet, only upside-down.
In figured bass, whether a pitch is flat, sharp, or natural, is determined by the key signature. Don’t worry about it!
A sharp or a plus sign next to a number (or a slash through the number) means raise the note a half-step higher than the key signature indicates. (3#, 3+, 3 )
A flat next to the numbers means lower the note a half step. (3b)
A sharp, flat, or natural sign with no number means raise, lower, or natural the 3 rd .

Figured Bass Example

Below is a portion of an actual figured bass part from the Baroque period along with a possible realization .

Lead Sheet Symbols
The figured bass system provides the bass line with symbols indicating the chords that are to be constructed above it.
In contrast, in a lead sheet, symbols appear along with the melody to to indicate the chords to be constructed below it.
The symbols we are using are very similar to lead sheet symbols with the exception that 7, which would be m7b5.

2 Lead Sheet Example

This is an example of a typical American “standard” ballad, and it uses five of the chord types we have mentioned. Notice that the b in F#mb5 does not literally mean to flat the fifth but to lower it from C sharp to C natural.

Recognizing Chords in Various Textures

Make an inventory of all of the pitch classes found in the chord.
Try building the chord with each pitch class on the bottom, one at a time.
The arrangement that results in a stack of thirds is the correct one.

Worksheet – Ch. 3-2 page 1 Name ______Date ______

3 Worksheet – Ch. 3 -2 page 2

THE END

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