7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
1/12
Music Theory
Chapter 3 : Introduction to Triads and
Seventh Chords
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
2/12
Triads
Tertian chords : built onthirds
Triad : a three-note chordconsisting of a 5th divided
into two superimposed3rds.There are four possibleways to combine major andminor 3rds to produce atertian chord.
*Aural Skills exercise
Checkpoint
Self-test 3-1
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
3/12
Seventh Chords
Seventh Chords : a tertian chord with an added 3rdabove the 5th (creating an interval of a 7th between theroot and highest note)
Tonal harmony makes use of only 5 different types ofseventh chords, though there are many more
*Aural skills checkpoint
Self-test 3-2
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
4/12
Inversions of Chords
Not all chords are built with theroot on the bottom
In context, any note may appearas the lowest, but only the
lowestnote matters Inversion : transfer of the
lowest note to a higher octave
Root position : root as lowest
tone First Inversion : 3rd as lowest
tone
Second Inversion : 5th as thelowest tone
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
5/12
Inversions of Chords
*Aural Skills Exercise
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
6/12
Inversion Symbols and Figured Bass
Derived from Baroque system offigured bass
or thoroughbass
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
7/12
Figured Bass
Three methods used by Baroque composers todirect a keyboard player on how/what to play.
1. An accidental next to an Arabic numeral in the
figured bass could be used to raise/lower a note 2. An accidental by itself referred to the 3rd above
the bass and could be used to alter that note
3. A slash or plus sign in connection with an Arabic
numeral meant to raise that note
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
8/12
In context
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
9/12
Inversion Chart
Bass Position Triad Symbol Seventh Chord Symbol
Root Position (none) 7
First Inversion 6 6
5
Second Inversion 6
4
4
2
Third Inversion (none) 4 or 2
2
The inversion symbols we are use are summarized below. They are usuallyused with a roman numeral as part of a harmonic analysis.
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
10/12
Lead Sheet Symbols
We still use similar symbols and music-readingmethods as in the Baroque era
Jazz, Rock, Pop, and other twentieth-century
styles employ the use of lead sheet symbols All systems meant to provide the performer with
information/instructions on how to improvisewithin certain bounds
*Self-test 3-3
Checkpoint
*Self-test 3-4
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
11/12
7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3
12/12
Top Related