FIGURED BASS NOTATION - Jkornfeld.net

INVERTING CHORDSINVERTING CHORDSThe The triads and 7th chords we we have have examined examined so so far far are are called called root root position position chords chords because because the the root ofroot the chord of the is chord the lowest is the lowest note. We note. call We the call bottom the bottom note the note bass the note. bass But note. the But bass the note bass of note a chord of anda the chord root and note the of root a chord note are of not a chord always are the not same always thing. the same thing.When we we invert a chord (just like when we inverted intervals), we we re-arrange the the order order of of the the notesnotes while while not actually not actually changing changing the notes the notes themselves. themselves. A step-by-step A step-by-step approach approach to this to process this process looks likelooks this: like this:Term Triad 7th ChordRootPositionThe rootis in the bassFirstInversionSecondInversionThe root movesto the top (inverts),leaving the 3rd of thechord in the bassThe process repeats:the bass note (the 3rd)moves to the top, leavingthe 5th as the new bass noteThirdInversion(only for7th chords)The process repeats:now the 7th of the chordis in the bassNote: all these inversions are in closed position, meaning that there is never more than anoctave between the lowest and highest note.In listening to these different inversions, notice that while there is something different-soundingIn about listening each chord, to these they different moreover inversions, sound the notice same. that It while is as there if each is something inversion is different-soundingjust a hue ofabout the same each color. chord, In they music moreover theory terms, sound the the same same. notes It is in as any if each order inversion or arrangement is merely will a different always makehue the same of the harmony, same color. although In music each theory unique terms, arrangement the same notes of the in any notes order will or have arrangement its own, will uniquealways harmonic make "hue". the same harmony (since harmony is not defined by the vertical order of the notes),although each unique arrangement of the notes will have its own, unique harmonic "hue".73

FIGURED BASS NOTATION IFIGURED BASS NOTATION IFigured bass notation uses numbers to describe the inversion of a triad or 7th chord. While we havealready Figured bass acquired bass notation a logical uses set numbers of names to describe for describing the inversion all the of of a possible a triad or or 7th inversions 7th chord. While of While chords we we have (roothave position, already already 1st acquired inversion, acquired a logical a 2nd logical inversion, set set of names of and names 3rd for for describing inversion in all 7th all the chord the possible cases), inversions the numeric of chords of system chords (root of(root figured position, position, bass 1st is inversion, 1st much inversion, more 2nd concise inversion, 2nd inversion, and and scientific. 3rd and inversion 3rd The inversion numbers 7th chord in 7th in cases), figured chord the cases), bass numeric notation the numeric system refer of tosystem harmonic figured of bass intervals figured is much above bass more is the much bass concise note more and of concise any scientific. chord and in The any scientific. numbers inversion. The in figured numbers bass in notation figured refer bass tonotation harmonic refer intervals to harmonic above the intervals bass note above of any the chord bass note in any of inversion. any chord in any closed inversion.The three The notes three of notes a triad of form a triad two different form two intervals different above intervals the bass above note. the These bass intervals note. change These asintervals the The inversion three change notes of the of as triad a the triad changes. inversion form two of different the triad intervals changes. above (We the bass will note. forgo These the major intervals or change minor asthe inversion of the triad changes.qualities of the intervals since those are inherently defined by the governing scale).Root pos.1st inv.2nd inv.Root pos.1st inv.2nd inv.triadtriadtriadtriadtriadtriadTheThesamesameideaideaholdsholdstruetrueforThe same idea holds true forfor7th7th7thchords,chords,chords,exceptexceptexcepttheretherethereisisisoneoneoneadditionaladditional intervalintervalintervalsincesincesincetheretherethereisisisoneoneadditional oneadditional note. note.additional note.Root pos.7th 7th chord1st inv.7th chord2nd inv.7th chord3rd inv.7th chordBy vertically listing the intervals above the bass note of a chord from bottom to top, we therebyknow the chord’s inversion, if any. This chart lists all the inversions and intervals as we wouldsee By themBy vertically in figuredlisting listing bassthe the notation:intervals above the bass note of a chord from bottom to to top, we we therebyknow know the the chord’s chord’s inversion, if if any. any.Triad 7th ChordThis chart lists all the inversions Inversion as we would Fig. Bass see them Fig. in Bass figured Bass bass Note notation.This chart lists all the inversions as we would see them in 7figured bass notation.Root1st2nd3rd536364N/A53653643642Root in bass3rd in bass5th in bass7th in bassRoot position:741st inversion:2nd inversion:VVV765434

FIGURED BASS NOTATION IIFIGURED BASS NOTATION IIThis chart is a simplified version of the same figured bass notation. It eliminates anyunnecessary numbers. This is the notation that we actually use.This chart is a simplified version of the same figured bass notation. It eliminates any unnecessarynumbers. This is the notation that we actually use.TriadInversion Fig. Bass7th ChordFig BassBass NoteRoot(no numbers)7Root1st6653rd2nd64435th3rd N/AInversion Triad 7th Chord Bass 2 NoteRootThese numbers would be superscript 6 and to the 6 right of the Roman numeral. For example, if wewere These trying numbers to describe 1stwould a V be triad supercase in 3 its three and to possible the5 3rd bassright inversions, of the chord it symbol. would look For like example, so: if we were3trying to desctibe a V triad in its three possible inversions, it would look like so:2nd3rd5364N/A7536436Root position:1st inversion: 422nd inversion:4V7th in 6bassIf we were trying to describe a V 7th chord in its four possible inversions, it would look like this:If we were trying to describe a V 7th chord in its four possible inversions, it would look like this:7Root position: V1st inversion:Root position:2nd inversion:1st inversion:3rd2ndinversion:inversion:3rd inversion:Root in bass5th in bassVV64VVVV654635423427th75