NCVPS AP Music Theory Presentation by Dr. Tom Moncrief Inversions of Triads

Inversion of Triads When first learning to identify and spell chords we spell them in block form. Block form (or snowman stacked form) is when all of the 3 rd are in order, stacked on top of one another. Remember, Tertian Harmony is based on the element of this interval of the 3 rd. When the Root of the chord is in the lowest voice (Bass), the chord is in Root Position. Not every chord has the Root as the lowest note and to account for that we identify the inversion that a chord is in.

Inversion of Triads Let’s take a basic triad. Below is the Triad in Root Position and also in 1 st Inversion. Notice that in both chords the notes are (A, C#, E). We use these notes to identify the Quality and Scale Degree Function of the chord. So, this chord has a Quality of Major and the Root of both of the chords is “A”. A Major in Root Position A Major Chord in 1 st Inversion

Inversion of Triads These two chords do have the same pitches, however they do not sound the same. The sonority of the chord will sound different because of the part of the chord that is in the lowest sounding voice. Our ear will hear that chord in 1 st inversion as not being as complete or sonorous than the Root Position chord. A Major in Root Position A Major Chord in 1 st Inversion

Inversion of Triads Let’s discuss how we notate that a chord is in an inversion. We use Arabic Figures to notate inversions. Arabic Numbers are the numbers that we use in money transactions (1, 2, 3) as compared to Roman Numerals (I, II, III). A triad that is in first inversion will use the Arabic Number (6) to identify that the triad is in first inversion. 6

Inversion of Triads Notice that the Root Position triad does not have any figures underneath it. Because Tertian Harmony is based on 3rds and the Root is the lowest voice, there is no need for figures to further identify the Root Position triad. 6

Inversion of Triads The (6) in the first inversion, is notating that there is a 6 th above the lowest note (Bass), from “C#” to A” and a 3 rd above from “C#” to “E”. The Arabic Numbers could show this a (6) and (3), however these figures are short hand and the 3 rd is assumed in a first inversion triad. 6 3

Inversion of Triads Let’s take a look at a 1 st inversion chord and figure out how to identify it. First, we must identify all of the notes that are sounded (G, Bb, Eb). Then we must ask if these notes are in Stacked form (in direct 3rds of one another). No, this chord is not. Second, we must rearrange these notes so that they are in direct 3rds or stacked form. The stacked form would be (Eb, G, Bb).

Inversion of Triads Knowing that the stacked form is (Eb, G, Bb) we can identify the chord and its quality. The Root of the chord is Eb and the quality of the triad is Major. This is a Eb Major triad, however the Root is not the lowest sounding voice (in the Bass). Because the 3 rd of the triad (“G”) is the lowest sounding voice, this chord is in first inversion. We can identify it as an Eb Major Triad in 1 st Inversion.

Inversion of Triads A Triad has three pitches (Root, 3 rd and 5 th ). If the Root is in the lowest voice (Bass), the triad is in Root Position. Root Position does not require any figures. If the 3 rd is in the lowest voice (Bass), the triad is in 1 st Inversion. First Inversion uses the Arabic Number (6) to delineate that it is in 1 st inversion. If the 5 th is in the lowest voice (Bass), the triad is in 2 nd inversion and that is what we need to discuss next. Root PositionFirst Inversion Second Inversion

Inversion of Triads Second Inversion Chords have the 5 th of the stacked chord as the lowest sounding pitch (in the Bass). The triad below has the following pitches (E, A, and C#). These pitches are not in order by thirds (because “E” to “A” is a fourth not a third). In order to identify the triad and its quality we must first put them in order by thirds (A, C#, E). This is an A Major Chord, however “A” is not the lowest sounding voice and we must account for that with an inversion figure……

Inversion of Triads The inversion figure for the A Major Triad is (6, 4). We must use both of the Arabic Numbers here because if we only used the (6) we would be using the same figure as a 1 st inversion triad. The (6) represents an interval of a 6 th above the lowest voice (Bass) and (4) represents an interval of a 4 th above the lowest voice (Bass). In this chord the interval of the 6 th is between the “E” and the “C#” and the 4 th is between the “E” and the “A”. 6 4

Let’s Practice! What is the Root of this Triad? What is the Quality of the Triad? What inversion is this Triad in?

The Answer What is the Root of this Triad? The notes are (Ab, C, and F) and they form a stacked (F, Ab, C) so the Root is “F”. What is the Quality of the Triad? Minor, (F, Ab, C) is a minor triad. What inversion is this Triad in? 1 st Inversion, the 3 rd “Ab” is in the lowest sounding voice.

Let’s Practice! What is the Root of this Triad? What is the Quality of the Triad? What inversion is this Triad in?

The Answer What is the Root of this Triad? The notes are (G#, B, and E) and they form a stacked (E, G#, B) so the Root is “E”. What is the Quality of the Triad? Major, (E, G#, B) is a Major triad. What inversion is this Triad in? 1 st Inversion, the 3 rd, “G#” is the lowest sounding voice.

Let’s Practice! What is the Root of this Triad? What is the Quality of the Triad? What inversion is this Triad in?

The Answer What is the Root of this Triad? The notes are (A, D, and F) and they form a stacked (D, F, A) so the Root is “D”. What is the Quality of the Triad? Minor, (D, F, A) is a minor triad. What inversion is this Triad in? 2 nd Inversion, the 5 th “A” is in the lowest sounding voice.

Let’s Practice! What is the Root of this Triad? What is the Quality of the Triad? What inversion is this Triad in?

The Answer What is the Root of this Triad? The notes are (F#, A# and C#) and they are already in stacked form so the Root is “F#”. What is the Quality of the Triad? Major, (F#, A#, C#) is a Major triad. What inversion is this Triad in? Root Position as the Root is in the lowest sounding voice.

Inversion of Triads Inversions of Triads can be identified by the part of the triad that is the lowest sounding voice (Bass). A Root Position triad has the Root as the lowest sounding voice. The 1 st Inversion Triad has the 3 rd as the lowest sounding voice. The 2 nd Inversion Triad has the 5 th as the lowest sounding voice. Root PositionFirst Inversion Second Inversion