I am studying figured bass. I see some chords might be incomplete, for example 8/3 chords. Would those chords get Roman numerals assigned to them, or must all 3 notes of a triad be present to be able to assign a Roman numeral to a chord?
0
Add a comment
|
3 Answers
No, not all three notes of a triad must be present for it to be given a Roman numeral.
Common practice requires at least two pitches to be present to recognize it as a triad: the root, so that we know what the root of the chord actually is (!), and the third, so that we know the quality (typically major or minor). This means that the chordal fifth is typically the chord tone that is omitted.
The same logic, by the way, applies to seventh chords: the root, third, and seventh are necessary, but the fifth can be omitted.
Standard voice-leading procedures, however, suggest that incomplete chords should only occur in root position. If a chord is inverted, all chord tones should be present.
-
“If a chord is inverted, all chord tones should be present.” In figured bass or ≥3-part harmony/counterpoint, yes. But in two-part counterpoint (e.g. any Bach duets, two-part inventions, etc) there are, for obvious reasons, lots of inverted chords with just two notes present. In isolation, a G–E major 6th can’t be unambiguously assigned to a chord; but in context, if it’s followed by G–D and then C–E, it’s unambiguously a Ic–V–I cadence.– PLLCommented Jun 13, 2021 at 12:45
-
@PLL Fair enough. I assumed four-part voice leading in the question. But I'd also argue that Bach's two-part writing fleshes out more than just two voices.– RichardCommented Jun 13, 2021 at 12:53
-
I guess a V7 chord with no 5th is not considered incomplete?– user50691Commented Jun 14, 2021 at 12:46
-
@ggcg Not sure who you're writing to, but: "The same logic, by the way, applies to seventh chords: the root, third, and seventh are necessary, but the fifth can be omitted."– RichardCommented Jun 14, 2021 at 12:51
I would add the Roman numeral if there is an implied harmony. The 5th is such a strong fundamental (acoustically speaking) that it is still perceived by the listener even if it is not written in the score.
Figured bass and Roman numeral analysis are two separate things.
In figured bass, each interval above the given bass is specified. A chord that features an octave and a third above the bass would be figured 8/3. This is especially important if it's the composer's specific intention to have an incomplete chord. Figured bass does not employ Roman numerals.
In harmonic analysis, each harmony (as opposed to each chord) receives a Roman numeral. As long as a set of notes comprises a new harmony, regardless the number of pitches present, then a Roman numeral is assigned. Harmonic analysis does employ figures in order to clarify inversions and ornamentations.
