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.
| re |
do |
| ti |
do |
| sol |
mi |
| sol |
la |
| V |
vi |
|
|
| re |
do |
| ti |
do |
| sol |
me |
| sol |
le |
| V |
VI |
|
|
Voicing of V-I or V-i
| re |
mi |
| ti |
do |
| sol |
sol |
| sol |
do |
| V |
I |
|
|
| re |
do |
| ti |
do |
| sol |
mi |
| sol |
do |
| V |
I |
|
|
| re |
do |
| ti |
sol |
| sol |
mi |
| sol |
do |
| V |
I |
|
|
Standard |
|
No fifth |
|
"frustrated leading tone"
the ti-sol part can't be in the soprano. |
|
