The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #120692 Message #2633603
Posted By: Lox
16-May-09 - 08:18 PM
Thread Name: Basso continuo for classical guitar
Subject: RE: Basso continuo for classical guitar
Basically,
In short,
Figured bass represents inversions of chords.
If C is in the bass and there is no figure, then we assume a chord of C major or minor in root position, depending on the key signature.
(If the key is C major, then we know that a root position chord with C in the bass is also C major.
If the key is Bflat Major, with two flats (B and E), then a chord in root position with C in the bass will be C minor, as the note a third above C will be Eflat and the note a fifth above C will be G - C,Eflat,G = C minor.)
Anyway, no figure = root position.
6 = first inversion
6/4 = second inversion.
So a figure of 6 underneath a chord with C in the bass = either A minor or Aflat major in first inversion
and a figure of 6/4 under a chord with C in the bass = F minor or F major in second inversion.
or another way of seeing it is like this.
chord iib = chord ii6
chord iic = chord ii6/4
there is no point including root position here as it would have looked like this.
Chord ii = chord ii
So root position is assumed unless otherwise specified.
This would have made perfect sence at the time as the ear, when given a bass note, naturally wants to create a root position triad unless specifically instructed to listen for an alteration to that.
The question of minor harmony is another matter that should really be considered seperately.