Figured Bass and Triad Inversions

Question 1

big idea

Answer 1

• labeling chords and inversions

Question 2

process of inversion

Answer 2

• root position is how chords are easily spelled
• first inversion: I^6
• the third is in the bottom most voice and the root and fifth are above it
• second inversion: I^6_4
• the fifth is in the bottom most voice and the root and fifth are above it
• the quality of the chord is still major but the strength of the chord is the weakest

Question 3

fingered bass

Answer 3

• numbers underneath the music that indicate the chord and the bottom most pitch in the chord
• the numbers represent the intervals written above the bass note
• the bass note is NOT always the root of the chord
• the interval number is not octave specific. if you need a third above G, any B above the bass note will do, since root position was common, some figures were assumed (5 over 3)
• figured bass performer was called Basso Continuo
• the number of the first inversion is I^6
• the number for second inversion is I^6_4
• if there a sharp by itself, raises the third a half step
• if there is a sharp by the six, it raises the fifth a half step
• same concepts for when you see a flat or natural number in a figured bass

Question 4

figured bass means just that; counting up (figuring up) from the pitch in the bass part. the following numbers represent the intervals to be performed above the bass line

Answer 4

• arabic

Question 5

is the pitch in the bass always the root of a chord

Answer 5

• sometimes

Question 6

the implementation of figured-bass notation began in this era of music

Answer 6

• baroque (1600-1750)

Question 7

music theory is a way of explaining what’s happening in the music so that without hearing the music, you have an idea of how it will sound

Answer 7

• true