MUSIC THEORY

Mod 4

• Subject of the Day:  Writing First Inversions II
• Reading Assignment: None
• Written Assignment: Workbook, page 65
• Semester Schedule

• Diminished triads occur on vii^o in both major and minor keys and on ii^o in minor
• III in a minor key is a major triad, not augmented (no leading tone)
• In minor keys, the leading tone is used on V and vii^o and requires an accidental in the music
• Although they are possible, iii and vi (III and VI) are rarely used in first inversion

The vii^o6  chord is used most often in either of the following ways:

    1.    Between a I chord and its inversion (I  -  vii^o6  -   I⁶ or   I⁶  -   vii^o6 -   I )

    2.    As a substitute for a V in a IV  -  V  -  I  progression (IV  -  vii^o6  -  I)
 
 

In the progression IV - V we expect the upper voices to move in the opposite direction of the bass.  But if the soprano (or any other upper voice) moves up as in the example above, the result would be parallel fiths, octaves, or both.  To remedy this we can substitute the vii^o6 chord for the V.  Since both the vii^o and the V chords are first class chords, they both equally well complete the progression 2nd class, 1st class, tonic.

If you still have questions, contact Dr. Bartolotta at wbartolo@odu.edu.