Dr. Sebastian Anthony Birch

 

 

 

Root Position Triads

  • All triads should contain a root a third and a fifth
  • The fifth sometimes is omitted
  • Double the root except in diminished chords, where you will usually double the third and in the VI chord of a V - VI progression where you will also double the third.

Guidelines

  • When possible leave common tones in the same voice.
    • When the bass moves by thirds or sixths there are two notes in common
    • When the bass moves by fourths or fifths there is one note in common
    • When the bass moves by seconds or sevenths there are no notes in common and all upper parts should move in contrary motion to the bass

Exceptions: In the V-vi or V-VI progression the third of the submediant chord is doubled for the leading tone to resolve to the tonic.

redo
tido
solmi
solla
Vvi
 
redo
tido
solme
solle
VVI
 

Voicing of V-I or V-i

remi
tido
solsol
soldo
VI
 
redo
tido
solmi
soldo
VI
 
redo
tisol
solmi
soldo
VI

Standard

 

No fifth

 

"frustrated leading tone"
the ti-sol part can't be in the soprano.

 
  
Email: sbirch@kent.edu