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Inversion
symbols (figured bass)
Figured bass
is a shorthand method of indicating the chords to be played above
a given bass melody. In the Baroque period (about 1600 to 1750),
keyboard players would improvise their parts from these "figures."
This method saved space on the paper as well as time for the composer.
These figured bass symbols are still used extensively in the analysis
of music in music theory, and we will use them to label inversions
of chords.
Here is a table reviewing the
type of inversions, which note of the triad is lowest for that inversion,
and the figured bass symbol used to label each.
|
Root
position (root is lowest pitch) |
(no
label) |
1st
inversion (3rd
is lowest pitch) |
6
|
2nd
inversion (5th
is lowest pitch) |
6
4 |
|
It may be helpful to keep in mind that the figures always indicate
the interval size above the bass tone (lowest-sounding pitch). Not
every interval is indicated by the figured bass. For example, a
bass tone without any figures indicates a triad in root position
(the 3rd and 5th above the bass is assumed). In the examples that
follow, the figures in parentheses are generally omitted from the
labeling of a chord. The last chord on each staff shows how these
chords would be labeled using both Roman numerals and figured bass
symbols. In the key of C major, this F chord would be the subdominant
(IV).



Notice (in the key of C major) how the subdominant
chord is labeled using Roman numerals and figured bass:

  
|