All Flashcards
What does '6' signify in figured bass?
1st inversion; interval of a 6th above the bass.
What does '6/4' signify in figured bass?
2nd inversion; intervals of a 6th and 4th above the bass.
What does a slash (/) or plus sign (+) indicate in figured bass?
Raise the pitch denoted by that figure a half step.
What do accidentals (♭, ♯, ♮) to the left of a figure mean?
Alter the corresponding note; alone, they alter the third above the bass.
What is a chord inversion?
Rearranging chord notes so the bass note is not the root.
Define 'root position'.
The root of the chord is in the bass.
What is figured bass?
Shorthand notation using Arabic numerals to indicate chord inversions.
What does 'realizing a figured bass' mean?
Filling in the upper voices of the basso continuo.
What are lead sheet symbols?
Letter names and abbreviations to denote chords.
What is basso continuo?
A bass line that uses figured bass, played by a bass instrument and keyboard.
What does a slash (/) in figured bass indicate?
The pitch denoted by that figure should be raised a half step.
What does an accidental to the left of a figure in figured bass mean?
It alters the corresponding note. If alone, it alters the third above the bass.
Define '1st inversion'.
The third of the chord is in the bass.
Define '2nd inversion'.
The fifth of the chord is in the bass.
What does '6' in figured bass typically indicate?
1st inversion.
What does '6/4' in figured bass typically indicate?
2nd inversion.
In lead sheet notation, what does 'm' after a letter name indicate?
A minor chord.
In lead sheet notation, what does '+' after a letter name indicate?
An augmented chord.
In lead sheet notation, what does '°' after a letter name indicate?
A diminished chord.
What does a '♭' to the left of a figure in figured bass mean?
Lower the note a half step.
What does a '♯' to the left of a figure in figured bass mean?
Raise the note a half step.
What does a '♮' to the left of a figure in figured bass mean?
Natural the note.
What does 'I' by itself usually indicate in figured bass?
Root position.
What does 'I6' indicate in figured bass?
I chord in first inversion.