Chord Inversions and Figures: Introduction to Figured Bass
Samuel Baker
6 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers chord inversions (root position, 1st, and 2nd), figured bass (including symbols and alterations), basso continuo, and lead sheet symbols. It explains how to identify, write, and interpret these elements in musical notation. The guide also includes practical examples and tips for applying these concepts.
#Music Theory Study Guide: Chord Inversions, Figured Bass, and Lead Sheets
Welcome! This guide is designed to help you confidently navigate chord inversions, figured bass, and lead sheet symbols. Let's get started!
#Chord Inversions: Rearranging the Notes
Chord inversions involve rearranging the notes of a chord so that the bass note (the lowest note) is not the root.
- Root Position: The root of the chord is in the bass. Think of it as the 'home base' of the chord.
- Inversions: When a note other than the root is in the bass, we have an inversion.
- 1st Inversion: The third of the chord is in the bass.
- 2nd Inversion: The fifth of the chord is in the bass.
Caption: Visual representation of chord inversions. Note how the bass note changes in each inversion.
#Figured Bass: The Baroque Code
Figured bass is a shorthand notation used in the Baroque era to indicate chord inversions.
- It uses Arabic numerals below the bass line to represent intervals above the bass note.
- It was crucial for improvisation and understanding harmonies in the Baroque period.
#How Figured Bass Works
- The numbers indicate the intervals above the bass note in a **closed posi...
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