Exercise 8
Return to Exercise 6 on page 350 (“Folk Song”) and draw the bass staff triads in close position. Below, identify
the root, quality, and inversion of each triad. The first measure is done for you.
Exercise 9—Class Exercise
Robert Schumann’s “Ein Choral” is a hymn composed of triads written in open position. Label the root, quality,
and inversion of the underscored triads. Most of the triads have duplicated notes; two triads are incomplete.
All notes that do not belong to the triad have been circled.
Ein Choral (R. Schumann)
GRt. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ____Figured Bass Symbols
Figured bass symbolsare interval numbers written below the bass staff to indicate triad quality and inversion,
and were first used in published music starting around 1600. Musicians continue to use them today.
The following is an example of the use of figured bass symbols from Corelli’s “Trio Sonata.” Notice the
numbers and naturals written below the bass clef of the “organo” (keyboard) part. Using these symbols, the
performer would improvise the right hand above.
351
INVERSIONS OF TRIADSExample 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.Dm 1st