Roman Numeral Chord Inversions

[danika]

I understand how to interpret roman numeral chord inversions but the notation seems so unintuitive. The only way I know I 6 is a first inversion or I 6 4 a second inversion (can't write super scripts properly here) is to memorize it. Something like I/3 and I/5 would seem much more meaningfull. Where does this notation come from?

[manducator]

Take a look at this. The latest slide explains the notation:

http://classic.musictheory.net/44

[KBSoundSmith]

I understand how to interpret roman numeral chord inversions but the notation seems so unintuitive. The only way I know I 6 is a first inversion or I 6 4 a second inversion (can't write super scripts properly here) is to memorize it. Something like I/3 and I/5 would seem much more meaningfull. Where does this notation come from?

Remember how to invert intervals? For example, if you have an interval of a major third, when you invert it, then the interval becomes a minor sixth (if you have C on the bottom and E above, that's a major third; inverting puts E on the bottom and C on top, an interval of a minor sixth.)

When you invert chord members, the inversion number (the 6 in a I-6 chord) literally refers to an interval of a sixth above the bass.

If the bass note is E, and the chord symbol is I-6, then the note a 6th away is C.

[JumpingJackFlash]

I understand how to interpret roman numeral chord inversions but the notation seems so unintuitive. The only way I know I 6 is a first inversion or I 6 4 a second inversion (can't write super scripts properly here) is to memorize it. Something like I/3 and I/5 would seem much more meaningfull. Where does this notation come from?

The numbers refer to the intervals above the bass (the lowest note).

So, imagine a root position triad: C-E-G. C to E is a third, C to G is a fifth. We therefore figure it 5 3. In practice however, no figure is used for a root position triad as it assumed by default.

Next, a first inversion: E-G-C. E to G is a third, E to C is a sixth. We therefore figure it 6 3, which is usually shortened to just 6 (the third being implied).

A second inversion: G-C-E. G to C is a fourth, G to E is a sixth, therefore figured 6 4.

It comes from figured bass.
You do get used to it, although there are other systems that you might find easier (using a, b and c after the Roman Numeral for root position, first inversion and second inversion respectively; e.g. Ib, Vc, etc.) - but don't let me confuse you!

[tapper mike]

That's not roman that's arabic.
Arabic numerals are the ones we use every day as 1.2,3 etc and are expressed as literals up to the 13th
All you have to do is count the scale degrees C9
C is the 1 note of the chord. E is the 3rd G is the 5th Since C repeats an octave up making it the 8th note then a C9 is the D note above the second C



Roman numerals are I IV, V, VI, IX etc they are figurative
When a chord is expressed as a roman numeral inversions aren't part of the picture.

Notation is literal for piano The notes are spelled out on the staves.
Chord charts are figurative meaning it's up to you to figure out how the chord is formed or fake it.
A guitarist can play an F7 chord 13 different ways without adding any extensions. When you see a Chart You determine the choice of note order and grouping by experience and listening. If you have little experience then the best thing would be to start making experiences by trying things out so you get them under your fingers.

You can do this a number of ways.
Learning from what others have notated by performing it.
Creating songs based on your knowledge of chords.
Improvising harmony and rhythm for a selected work.

What will change your concepts of harmony and rhythm most significantly is playing with other musicians who are more proficent not the same or less proficent. Harmony is useless out the context of performance. It's when you are living the music through your performance. No chord is better or worse then another chord it's just that in certain situations some voicings are more appropriate.