Other than inversion nomenclature

[BertKoor]

I use the notation with slash for odd bass notes. Could only think of this example fragment from Queen - One Vision

Code: Select all

| D        A/C# | D         G/B | C        |

[msf sadib]

The standard depiction of inversions figures the bass like so:
Root position is 5/3 (self-explanatory); 1st inversion is 6/3, eg., F A D, 3rd and 6th from bass F; 2nd inversion is 6/4, eg., G C E, 4th and 6th from bass G. Then we can figure chord of the seventh: 1st inversion is called the 6/5 chord, abbreviated from 6/5/3, eg., F A C D; 2nd inversion is called the 4/3 chord, abbreviated from 6/4/3, eg., G B C E; 3rd inversion is called 4/2 or the 2 chord, abbreviated from 6/4/2, eg., F G B D.

2nd inversion is called the 4/3 chord, abbreviated from 6/4/3, eg., G B C E;

why isn't it abbreviated as 6/4?is there any particular rules to name inversions in certain order?

[jancivil]

Because the triad in 2nd inversion is 6/4 (insufficient for the 7th chord*); the 3 in the 2nd inversion 7th chord, - eg., G B C E (C^7/G) - shows the 7th, *ie., it’s the ‘business end’ of the figure..

[msf sadib]

Because the triad in 2nd inversion is 6/4; the 3 in the 2nd inversion 7th chord, - eg., G B C E (C^7/G) - shows the 7th, ie., it’s the ‘business end’ of the figure.

if I had written G E B C would it still be abbriviated as 4/3?

[jancivil]

Yes. The 4 & the 3 are still the 4 & the 3 essentially. IE., the octave higher 4 (11, 18, ad infin) you don’t figure. Inessential to the meaning.

[excuse me please]

So in triads there's root position (1-3-5) 1st inversion (3-5-1) & 2nd inversion (5-1-3).But what if I arrange it like (5-3-1) or (1-5-3) or (3-1-5); what that be called voicing or something like that? Or maybe there's other naming system for that which I'm not aware of.Let me know!

Example:

1-3-5=C1-E1-G1 basic
3-5-1=E1-G1-C2 inv 1
5-1-3=G1-C2-E2 inv 2

There are no more variations as it comes to their notation; logically 5-3-1 could mean G1-E1-C1 or G1-E1-C2 or G1-E2-C2, so it makes no sense etc.

The distance between the notes is addressed by only two inversions.
So you have a standard range between the notes, depending on the basic chord, which is in this case C1-E2. That's all there is to know afaiac.

[excuse me please]

PS Question: what are the inversions of C2-E2-G2?

[msf sadib]

So in triads there's root position (1-3-5) 1st inversion (3-5-1) & 2nd inversion (5-1-3).But what if I arrange it like (5-3-1) or (1-5-3) or (3-1-5); what that be called voicing or something like that? Or maybe there's other naming system for that which I'm not aware of.Let me know!

Example:

1-3-5=C1-E1-G1 basic
3-5-1=E1-G1-C2 inv 1
5-1-3=G1-C2-E2 inv 2

There are no more variations as it comes to their notation; logically 5-3-1 could mean G1-E1-C1 or G1-E1-C2 or G1-E2-C2, so it makes no sense etc.

The distance between the notes is addressed by only two inversions.
So you have a standard range between the notes, depending on the basic chord, which is in this case C1-E2. That's all there is to know afaiac.

I know it doesn't make sense.But it is possible to make that variation.so even if I write that 5-3-1.it would still be considered 2nd inversion anyway right?

[msf sadib]

Yes. The 4 & the 3 are still the 4 & the 3 essentially. IE., the octave higher 4 (11, 18, ad infin) you don’t figure. Inessential to the meaning.

But jan how do I know this? Suppose if it's written 4/3 how do I know if the E(in this example) is above or below provided that I'm not informed about the position of that E

[msf sadib]

I use the notation with slash for odd bass notes. Could only think of this example fragment from Queen - One Vision

Code: Select all

| D        A/C# | D         G/B | C        |

In these first inversion examples I'm thinking that they're written in traditional 3-5-1.but if it were something other like 3-1-5 would I still write A/C# or G/B or something other?

[jancivil]

OK, something broke quotes (and emphasis, maybe all BBB) here.

“I know it doesn't make sense.But it is possible to make that variation.so even if I write that 5-3-1.it would still be considered 2nd inversion anyway right?”

Pay no attention to excuse, he is 100% wasting your time. Pointless verbiage, perhaps showing off that he can count.
What I showed you makes perfect sense.

No: 2nd inversion triad IS a sixth and a fourth above the bass.
G C E: there is no 5, there is no 3 in this construction.
C E G, there is your 5 & 3.

[jancivil]

I use the notation with slash for odd bass notes. Could only think of this example fragment from Queen - One Vision

Code: Select all

| D        A/C# | D         G/B | C        |

In these first inversion examples I'm thinking that they're written in traditional 3-5-1.but if it were something other like 3-1-5 would I still write A/C# or G/B or something other?

All you need to understand is the chord is A, and the bass is C#.
Pop songs sheet music, lead sheets, fake book for jazzers, use that convention. It doesn’t tell you anything more than those two things.
Figured bass, as I offered, can tell you about the musical thought, reveal voice-leading...

[jancivil]

You’re getting bogged down by position. Position changes nothing of the construction.

[excuse me please]

@msf sadib
I hadn't thought about it, but basically yes

[jancivil]

Yes. The 4 & the 3 are still the 4 & the 3 essentially. IE., the octave higher 4 (11, 18, ad infin) you don’t figure. Inessential to the meaning.

But jan how do I know this? Suppose if it's written 4/3 how do I know if the E(in this example) is above or below provided that I'm not informed about the position of that E

It figures the bass. Any numbers, therefore, are above the bass.
It does not indicate octave position. That would be unwieldy pretty quickly.