Quote:
Originally Posted by santucci218  Hey guys when you have a key..say C maj.
and the chord progression has symbols that look like this, what do they mean? what would the arrangement of notes be? (4 part writing for voice)
II 6 4
or
II 6
or IV 7 |
This is what's known as "figured bass" and is more common in classical nomenclature. The numbers indicate the intervals above the bass note, with the added complication that thirds and fifths are usually ommitted. You're expected to know when to add them.
6 4 refers to a chord in its second inversion. It means that you play the fourth and sixth above the bass note. (In their inversion, major thirds become minor sixths and perfect fifths become perfect fourths, for example)
6 is a first inversion chord. It means you play the third and sixth above the bass note (you're only inverting the third to a sixth)
7 is just as it is in popular nomenclature, it means you play the third, fifth and seventh above the bass note.
You use the intervals that would normally appear in key, unless they have a flat or sharp in front of them. A sharp or flat by itself refers to the third.
