Download Chapter 7 – Notes CHORDS A chord is a group of three or more

Chapter 7 – Notes
CHORDS
A chord is a group of three or more pitches that form a single harmonic sound. Usually happen all at
once, but may happen in succession.
TRIAD is a chord built in thirds.
When triads are built in thirds, the interval between the lowest and middle note is a 3rd. The interval
between the lowest and highest is a fifth.
Write all triads on a major scale.
Assignment 7.1, I, A and B (71)
The bottom note is called the ROOT. When this note is on the bottom, the chord is in ROOT POSITION.
Quality:
MAJOR = M3 + P5
MINOR = m3 + P5
DIMINISHED = m3 + d5
AUGMENTED = M3 + A5
Assignment 7.1, II (72)
Assignment 7.2, I (73)
Assignment 7.2, II (73)
TRIAD QUALITIES IN MAJOR:
1,4,5 are major
2,3,6 are minor
7 is diminished
Assignment 7.1, III (72)
YOU NEED TO LEARN TO SPELL TRIADS QUICKLY!
ACE
BDF
CEG
DFA
EGB
FAC
GBD
ROMAN NUMERALS FOR SCALE DEGREES (for analysis)
I (i)
ii (II)
iii (III) IV (iv) V (v)
iv (IV) vii°(VII)
Assignment 7.3, I, A-E (75)
CHORD INVERSION
When root is on the bottom, the chord is in root position.
Sometimes the root of the chord is not on the bottom!
If the 3rd of the chord is on the bottom, the chord is in 1st inversion.
If the 5th is on the bottom, the chord is in 2nd inversion. (weaker than root of 1st inversion
Assignment 7.2, III (74)
Assignment 7.2, IV (74)
Assignment 7.3, II, B and C (76)
TRIADS IN POPULAR-MUSIC NOTATION
F major
F
F minor
Fm, Fmin, F-
F diminished
F°, Fdim, Fmin (b5)
F augmented
F+ or F+(#5)
Lead sheet (chord symbols above a melody line)
Guitar (tablature) (TAB)
Inversions shown by writing the chord with a slash
(Am/C)
Assignment 7.4, I (77)
Assignment 7.4, II 1-20 (77)
FIGURED BASS
Bass line with numbers written below or (sometimes above it). The numbers represent the intervals to
be played above the bass to make chords.
Chords in root position generally have no number, a 5 or a 5 and 3. (Intervals above the root)
Chords in 1st inversion are 6 or 6 and 3.
Chords in 2nd inversion are 6 and 4.
Used in the Baroque Era in much the same way as lead sheets are today. Keyboard players studied the
bass line and figures and from that knew what intervals to play in the upper part. Figures were as simple
as possible so they were easy to read.
Accidentals appear alone or beside figured bass numbers.
Alone it applies to the 3rd of the chord.
Beside, it applies to the note that is that interval above the bass.
A slash through a note means the same thing as a sharp.
Assignment 7.5, I, A-D (79)