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We use figured bass notation to help indicate chords in inversion by establishing the interval between the bass note and the other notes of the chord. I have seen figured-bass symbols applied to major triads, resulting in the "five-three" chord (root position), the "six-three" (3rd in bass), the "six-four" (5th in bass), as well as to 7th chords, giving us the "seven", "six-five", "four-three", and "four-two chords". Forgive me if this explanation is too brief or if you prefer different nomenclature.

For analysis, I prefer using roman numeral notation instead of "slash" notation, in which the chords are named . . . by name. For example, a I63 chord in C major would be written as "C/E". Now, depending on the song, there may be chords that have neither non-chord tones nor the 7th of the chord in the bass, such as a C major chord with a D in the bass. In slash notation, this would be a "C/D". How would this be written in roman numeral/figured bass notation? Note: please treat this C/D example, along with any chord with scale degree 2, 4, or 6 in the bass, as an actual chord, rather than a chord with a counter-melody moving in the bass line--I am not thinking of the bass as a passing tone here.

Is there a procedure for naming chords with scale degrees 2, 4, or 6 in the bass? Please let me know.

Best,

286642

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The figures would still reflect the intervals above the bass, so X[7-4-2] or, possibly, X[9-7-4]. The Roman numeral would depend on the context. In common practice harmony C/D would be some kind of suspension, so X would be the chord of resolution. X cannot be determined from the information given in the OP. At minimum, we need to know the key and the next chord, if not additional chords before and after.

Roman numeral analysis is context dependent.

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  • As an example, we could look at "The Long and Winding Road", which I am trying to analyze the harmony of. The progression, in E-flat major, goes: Cm Gm Ab/Bb Eb Eb7/Db Ab Eb/G Cm7 . . . how would you draw that up in roman numeral analysis? I am trying to determine the function of the slash chords.
    – 286642
    Feb 22, 2021 at 2:55
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    @286642 Slash chords don't have a single function. They could be chord inversions, suspensions, pedal tones, part of an independent bass-line happening against a set of chords. Further, when a song is written using chord notation, it is often used as a practical shorthand rather than a formal, analytic interpretation. Finally, pop music doesn't attempt to adhere strictly to the functional ideas behind Roman numeral analysis. So, with all that said, I encourage you to re-post your comment as its own question. You've asked the general question here; now ask the specific one. Best of both worlds.
    – Aaron
    Feb 22, 2021 at 3:05
  • @286642 You might find this post helpful: What does the chord notation X/Y (“slash chord”) mean?.
    – Aaron
    Feb 22, 2021 at 3:11
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    @Tim - C/D can easily be a suspension - one that involves the bassline. For example, I'd treat the C/D in G7/D - C/D - C as a suspension.
    – Dekkadeci
    Feb 22, 2021 at 13:20
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    If the preceding chord were a garden-variety C major chord or even a C/E chord then the figures for the C/D chord could just be horizontal lines.
    – phoog
    Feb 23, 2021 at 1:54

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