2.3 Chord Inversions and Figured Bass

Chord inversions are like flipping a burger - same ingredients, different order. They change how a chord sounds by moving the bottom note up top. This reshuffling creates new flavors in your harmonic recipe.

Figured bass is a shorthand for writing chords. It's like texting for music - quick symbols tell you what notes to play above the bass. It's a time-saving trick composers have used for centuries.

Chord Positions and Inversions

Root Position and Inversions

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• Root position occurs when the root of the chord is the lowest sounding note
• First inversion occurs when the third of the chord is the lowest sounding note
• Second inversion occurs when the fifth of the chord is the lowest sounding note
• Third inversion occurs when the seventh of the chord is the lowest sounding note (only possible with seventh chords)
• Inversions are created by moving the lowest sounding note up an octave while keeping the upper notes in the same position
• Example: A C major triad (C-E-G) in root position becomes a first inversion triad (E-G-C) when the C is moved up an octave

Identifying Chord Positions

• To identify the position of a chord, determine the interval between the lowest sounding note and the root of the chord
• If the lowest sounding note is the root, the chord is in root position
• If the lowest sounding note is a third above the root, the chord is in first inversion
• If the lowest sounding note is a fifth above the root, the chord is in second inversion
• If the lowest sounding note is a seventh above the root (in a seventh chord), the chord is in third inversion

Figured Bass Notation

Figured Bass Symbols

• Figured bass is a notation system used to indicate the harmony of a musical passage by specifying the intervals above the bass note
• The bass note is the lowest sounding note in the chord and is typically written on the staff
• The figured bass symbols are written below the staff, indicating the intervals above the bass note
• Common figured bass symbols include:
  • No symbol: root position triad
  • 6: first inversion triad
  • 6/4: second inversion triad
  • 7: root position seventh chord
  • 6/5: first inversion seventh chord
  • 4/3: second inversion seventh chord
  • 4/2: third inversion seventh chord

Interpreting Figured Bass

• To interpret figured bass, stack the indicated intervals above the bass note to determine the notes of the chord
• The interval stack is built upwards from the bass note, using the figures to determine the intervals
• For example, a bass note of C with the figure 6 indicates a first inversion triad with the notes E-G-C
• Accidentals in the figured bass notation affect the corresponding note in the interval stack
• Figured bass is a concise way to notate harmony and was widely used in the Baroque era, especially in accompaniments for keyboard instruments and basso continuo parts