Chapter 8: Triads In First Inversion

Question 1

How do first inversion chords come about?

Answer 1

These can come about through:

1. Bass arpeggiation
2. As substitutions for root position triads.

Question 2

First inversion triads are also known as ________ _________.

Answer 2

Another name for these are: sixth chords

Question 3

What are parallel sixth chords?

Answer 3

Consecutive first inversion triads in parallel motion. (More than 2.)

Question 4

What are first inversion triads used for?

Answer 4

These are used for: 
1. Give the passage variety
2. To improve the bass line
3. To lessen the weight of some I and V chords
etc.

Question 5

Inverted first inversion triads in four-part textures are…

Answer 5

Usually complete, with no tones omitted.

Question 6

In three-part textures, inverted triads with tones omitted…

Answer 6

If a tone is omitted, it is usually the fifth of the chord.

Question 7

In three-part textures, if a tone is to be doubled…

Answer 7

If a tone is doubled, any tone but the leading tone will do.

Question 8

In four part textures, the most common doublings are:

Answer 8

Soprano or bass, with alto or tenor.

Question 9

Counterpoint mainly stems from…

Answer 9

Mostly the outer voice (soprano and bass).

Question 10

What is the purpose of parallel sixth chords?

Answer 10

Parallel sixth chords serve as passing chords, connecting some chord at the beginning of the passage to some chord at the end of it.

Question 11

Does the quality have to remain the same in parallel sixth chords?

Answer 11

No, the quality does not have to stay the same.

Question 12

What is contrapuntal texture?

Answer 12

A texture that has lines that are relatively independent.

Think the two curvy lines that look like DNA.

Question 13

In a homophonic texture, the doubling selected should…

Answer 13

provide the desired sonority.

Question 14

What is sonority?

Answer 14

It’d another word for resonance, sound. Remember the hierarchy we discussed in class.

Question 15

In any type of texture, it is not best (aka you should basically never) double the ____ ______. Why?

Answer 15

Leading tone. This usually results in/implies parallel octaves because of the strong tendency scale degree seven has to resolve to tonic.

Question 16

Describe a slash chord. What does it mean?

Answer 16

A slash chord is a chord whose bass note or inversion is indicated by the addition of a slash and the letter of the bass note after the root note letter. It does NOT indicate “or”.

Ex. E/G;