Music: Music Theory: Intervals and Chord Inversions
Identifying intervals, triads, seventh chords, and inversions
Music: Music Theory: Intervals and Chord Inversions
Identifying intervals, triads, seventh chords, and inversions
Music - Grade 9-12
- 1
Identify the interval from C up to G. Give both the number and quality of the interval.
Count C as 1, then count up by letter names to G.
The interval from C up to G is a perfect fifth because C to G spans five letter names and matches the perfect fifth in the C major scale. - 2
Identify the interval from E up to C. Give both the number and quality of the interval.
The interval from E up to C is a minor sixth because E to C spans six letter names, and C natural is one half step smaller than the major sixth above E, which is C sharp. - 3
Identify the interval from F up to B. Give both the number and quality of the interval.
Compare the interval to F up to B flat, which is a perfect fourth.
The interval from F up to B is an augmented fourth because F to B spans four letter names and is one half step larger than a perfect fourth. - 4
Identify the interval from A up to C sharp. Give both the number and quality of the interval.
The interval from A up to C sharp is a major third because A to C spans three letter names and C sharp is the third scale degree in A major. - 5
A triad has the notes G, B, and D, with G as the lowest sounding note. Identify the chord quality and inversion.
First stack the notes in thirds, then decide which chord member is in the bass.
The chord is a G major triad in root position because G is the root, B is the major third, D is the perfect fifth, and the root is in the bass. - 6
A triad has the notes E, G, and C, with E as the lowest sounding note. Identify the chord quality and inversion.
The chord is a C major triad in first inversion because the notes rearrange to C, E, and G, and the third of the chord, E, is in the bass. - 7
A triad has the notes A, D, and F sharp, with A as the lowest sounding note. Identify the chord quality and inversion.
A triad in second inversion has the fifth of the chord as the lowest note.
The chord is a D major triad in second inversion because the notes rearrange to D, F sharp, and A, and the fifth of the chord, A, is in the bass. - 8
A triad has the notes B, D, and F, with B as the lowest sounding note. Identify the chord quality and inversion.
The chord is a B diminished triad in root position because B is the root, D is a minor third above B, F is a diminished fifth above B, and the root is in the bass. - 9
Write the notes of an A minor triad in root position. Then write the same triad in first inversion.
A minor uses A as the root, C as the minor third, and E as the perfect fifth.
An A minor triad in root position is A, C, and E. In first inversion, the notes are C, E, and A because the third of the chord is placed in the bass. - 10
A seventh chord has the notes F, A, C, and E flat, with C as the lowest sounding note. Identify the chord quality and inversion.
The chord is an F dominant seventh chord in second inversion because the notes stack as F, A, C, and E flat, and the fifth of the chord, C, is in the bass. - 11
Match each figured bass symbol to the correct triad inversion: 6, 6/4, and no symbol or 5/3.
Figured bass numbers describe intervals above the bass note.
The symbol 6 means first inversion, the symbol 6/4 means second inversion, and no symbol or 5/3 means root position. - 12
Analyze the chord progression: C major in root position, G major in first inversion, A minor in root position, F major in second inversion. Write the Roman numerals with inversion figures in the key of C major.
In C major, the diatonic triads are I C major, ii D minor, iii E minor, IV F major, V G major, vi A minor, and vii diminished B diminished.
The Roman numeral analysis is I, V6, vi, and IV6/4. C major is I, G major in first inversion is V6, A minor is vi, and F major in second inversion is IV6/4 in the key of C major.