When writing triads in first inversion, ensure that all three chord
members are present. Do not leave out the root or the fifth.
Virtually any chord member may be doubled with the glaring exception of
the Leading Tone. Never double the leading tone.
Although any doubling is acceptable (with the exception of the aforementioned)
there have been, through the years, certain doublings which tend to occur
with more frequency than others. In first inversion chords the following
doublings are found in music in a frequency from most common to least common.
To practice building root position and first inversion
triads, click on http://www.emusictheory.com/drillChords.html.
Be sure to use the options utility to restrict your questions to major,
minor, diminished, and augmented triads in root position and first inversion
only.
When writing in 3 voices, we should usually have all three chord tones present. Occasionally, an incomplete triad will occur. In such instance the fifth is the omitted note and either the root or the third is doubled, providing it is not the leading tone.
If you still have questions, contact Dr. Bartolotta
at wbartolo@odu.edu.