Chords

Question 1

Primary chords

Answer 1

Chords built on the 1st, 4th and 5th degrees of a major or minor scale

Question 2

Supertonic chord (II)

Answer 2

Built on the 2nd degree of the scale

Question 3

How do we identify chords?

Answer 3

Using Roman numerals, we identify chords. These are each built on a degree of the scales, which gives us the number of the chord

Question 4

Root of a chord

Answer 4

Note that the chord is built on

Question 5

Root position

Answer 5

Position in which the root note is at the bottom of a chord

Question 6

A phrase

Answer 6

A portion of a melody, a bit like a musical sentence

Question 7

Cadence

Answer 7

Sequences or chords that complete a phrase. These can make the phrase sound finished or unfinished, depending on which cadence is used (similarly to punctuation).

Question 8

Three types of cadences

Answer 8

1. Perfect
2. Plagal
3. Imperfect
   These are all made using the chords I, II, IV, or V

Question 9

Which cadences are suitable for the end section of music?

Answer 9

Perfect and plagal, as they sound finished

Question 10

Which cadences are suitable for ending phrases throughout the piece?

Answer 10

Imperfect cadences, as they sound unfinished

Question 11

Chords

Answer 11

They can be made up of more than three notes, for example, cadences can be four-note chords, by including one of the notes of the triad at two different octaves.

Question 12

Perfect cadence

Answer 12

V - I

Question 13

Plagal cadence

Answer 13

IV - I

Question 14

Imperfect cadence

Answer 14

I - V or II - V or IV - V

Question 15

Cadences in minor keys

Answer 15

Chord V will contain the raised leading note

Question 16

Guide to choosing suitable chords

Answer 16

1. Identify the key
2. Work out the chord I, II, IV and V in the key
3. Name the notes in the melody
4. Choose a suitable chord for each box
5. Identify the cadence

Question 17

Inversion

Answer 17

When the lowest note of the chord is not the root

Question 18

Root position inversion

Answer 18

The lowest note of the chord is the root - Ia

Question 19

1st inversion

Answer 19

The lowest note of the chord is two notes above the root - Ib

Question 20

2nd inversion

Answer 20

The lowest note is four notes above the root - Ic

Question 21

Four-note chord inversions

Answer 21

One of the notes will appear twice, therefore it is helpful to rewrite the notes in each chord as a triad