Figured Bass, Grade 6 theory Options

[jennthesaxplayer]

Back to the theory....


I passed my Grade 6 in April, so I hope to help you out here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It isn't too bad at all.


These are the TOP 3 Figured bass chords in Grade 6 theory:

*5/3 chord

*6/3 (6) chord = 1st inversion

*6/4 chord = 2nd inversion

1)The number below the given note on the stave, is asking you to effectively to COUNT UP from the given note.
2)You always start from the bottom number: eg 6/3... (usually written as 6). So, you would count 3 NOTES ABOVE the given note on the stave, to give you the second note in the chord.
3)Then you count 6 up, from the GIVEN NOTE which is on the stave.

........ and there shall be your chord..........


On the other topic, I would like to make a point in saying, that all because a particular person has degree/diploma/grades underneath their belt, that alone does not make that somebody a good teacher. It shows that the person has knowledge and an understanding of the subject, but if the teaching standards are poor, then the degrees are worthless in themselves. Plus, all because someone hasn't got the highest qualification going, it therefore does not mean that someone is not knowledgeable either. I'm pretty sure we can all learn from each other here. Even the most well educated ones amoung us, would more than likely agree with me when I say that you never stop learning in music. Listening to others and therefore learning from others, is music in my eyes.

[Carl]

Did I miss something? Is Carl's teacher unqualified? Or did Carl simply understand what he was shown in his lesson then have a sleep & now needs a friendly voice on here to go over it again rather then wait till his next lesson?

My teacher is highly qualified. Sometimes you come away and just need to go over it again or like Alicia says you wake up a day or 2 later and its gone and you just need to be told again before the next lesson. I thought the point of the forums was to be able to draw on other peoples experiences

[kat the cobbler]

I think I've finally got it.

Let me check I've got this right.

If you had a c in the bass with 5/3 the notes would be C/E/G (basic primary triad)

If you had a c in the bass with 6/3 the notes would be C/E/A (which is A minor 1st inversion)

If you had a c in the bass with 6/4 the notes would be C/F/A

Is that right?

I would like to teach which is why I'm trying to work through my theory grades and get my pratical grade 8 so that when I finish my degree I feel more equipped to teach music (rather than just having a music degree which I think for the next two years we don't do a lot of theory anyway and we haven't done that much this year).

[sbhoa]

I think I've finally got it.

Let me check I've got this right.

If you had a c in the bass with 5/3 the notes would be C/E/G (basic primary triad)

If you had a c in the bass with 6/3 the notes would be C/E/A (which is A minor 1st inversion)

If you had a c in the bass with 6/4 the notes would be C/F/A

Is that right?

yes, you appear to have got it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[JulieCSM]

The thing to stress is that only three figures are needed to be known for grade 6.

I'm afraid this isn't true (assuming it's AB theory). I have a pupil for Grade 6 theory right now and she has to know the three you gave (for the basic triad chord) and also the figurings for the seventh chords too, which are (in full):

7 6 6 6
5 5 4 4
3 3 3 2

These are, respectively, the root, 1st inv, 2nd inv and 3rd inv of the seventh chord.

The abbreviations, which also have to be known, are;

7 6 4 4
.. 5 3 2

[Alicia Ocean]

The thing to stress is that only three figures are needed to be known for grade 6.

I'm afraid this isn't true (assuming it's AB theory). I have a pupil for Grade 6 theory right now and she has to know the three you gave (for the basic triad chord) and also the figurings for the seventh chords too,

I was going on what it says in the ABRSM publication "Theory Workbook 6" (known as Big 6), page 24 paragraph 2 "The bass figures will be limited to 5/5, 6/3, and 6/4, and if in a minor key, the question may include accidentals and altered chords," Also, I haven't come across any figured bass sevenths at all in past papers.

[JulieCSM]

Hmm - well it was in the ABRSM Grade 6 workbook which my pupil brought that said they have to know the figuring for the sevenths too. Maybe we have different versions. Unfortunately I can't quote you page and paragraph as my pupil has the book. However I will find out on Monday.

The online syllabus says: The harmonic vocabulary will include: the use of 5/3, 6/3 and 6/4 chords on any degree of the major or minor scale; the recognition of the dominant seventh chord in root position, first, second and third inversions, and the supertonic seventh chord in root position and first inversion in any major or minor key; and the figuring for all these chords.

http://www.abrsm.org/resources/theory06Gr6.pdf