music theory chp 3

7/31/2019 Music Theory Chp 3

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Music Theory

Chapter 3 : Introduction to Triads and

Seventh Chords


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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


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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


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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


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Inversions of Chords

*Aural Skills Exercise


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Inversion Symbols and Figured Bass

Derived from Baroque system offigured bass

or thoroughbass


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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


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In context


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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.


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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


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music theory chp 3

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