Hi,

Anyone can help here for Question 4(a) of bar 30.
ABRSM Model Answer is Vb9. But my teacher marked as V9 correct.

Fyi. key signature in score shows Bflat.

The notes are G, Bnatural, D, F and A flat for the chord * in bar 30.
Key: C minor.

Should it be Vb9 or V9?

Those notes , if from bottom up , form a root position diminished 7th chord in the key of C. But its so long since I did theory Ive forgotten how to write that in the notation required !

I had a look at this chord early this morning before breakfast (not a good idea!) and it took a minute for me to click that the chord is in C minor. Some of these questions are so ambiguous it is hard not to panic at first sight of the question.

fsharpminor - if the G root was missing it would be a diminished 7th from B natural - so B D F Ab would make viio7 in C minor. However, the G root is there so it is definitely a V9 in root position. I think the flat sign has to be shown against the V because the A flat itself is not in the key signature. So on that basis I think the model answer is correct.

I'll check with my teacher next week.

What is the note at the bass of the chord? If it's the G then it's a V9 in C minor. and your teacher is correct. To be a Vb7 the B natural needs to be at the bottom of the chord.


Edit: I've just found the model answers and looked at it again - the answer given is Vb9a, where the b indicates a flat - I took it to mean the b indicated a first inversion. Wish the forums allowed us to write superscript!

Hi, it is V9 in root position in C minor key. However, A flat is not in key signature of the music score.
ABRSM model answer is Vb9a, Key: Cminor. I also have the same answer as model answer booklet.
But my teacher marked me wrong and said my foundation is weak.
If only by looking V9 in C minor, we know the notes are G Bnatural D F Aflat. She is right in certain sense.
But shouldn't we need to look at the score, Aflat is not in the score. We should indicate Aflat.
So shouldn't be Vb9a?
I though the roman notation is similar to figure bass? Figure bass also has to indicate a flat if change of key.
Kind of confusing for minor key. If it is a major key, it will be so straight forward.
G B D F A is V9 in C major.
G B D F Aflat is Vb9 in C major. (b9 to indicate flatten 9th).
But this is in the Cminor. Aflat is in the C minor scale.
But not in the key signature of the give music score.
I still strongly believe ABRSM model answer is right. Vb9a in C minor.

Could any1 check with your teacher too?

I agree with that. The flat sign is necessary; if there is no inversion letter, root position is assumed in the notational system with which I am familar, so the "a" would not be essential.

Because of the possible confusion with the inversion letter, we need another symbol for the flat sign. Some computer-friendly notations use the minus sign, "-", for that.