Part II

First inversion I, IV, and V: I6 IV6 and V6

ii7-examples

First inversion triads are usually identified in roman numeral analyis by appending a "6" to the chord symbol.

Inversions are used to create a more melodic bass line. The chord function remains the same as root position chords. Both V and V6 move to a I chord, for example.

Beginners often make the mistake of using inversions for their own sake. For those who are writing R.C.M. exams, my recommendation is to use inversions at first only when asked to do so, then as expansions of root position chords. Practice with writing the patterns below can help develop facility in recognizing and writing common patterns that use inversions.

Doublings for I6 IV6, and V6 are the same: double the root or the fifth of the chord.

The choice, as always, is for smooth voice leading. We can, however, observe that the best doubling is often what is in the soprano.

When generating the pitches for your chord, you may wish to write the triad's pitches in order, add the doubling, then underline or circle the bass note, the third of the chord. This will help reduce doubling errors.

For example, in C major, the I6 chord has two spellings:

  • double the root: C E G C, or:
  • double the fifth: C E G G

In C+: 


          OR
       G      G
       C      G
       C      C 
----- ---    ---
Bass:  E      E
C+:   I6      I6



          OR
       C      C
       F      C
       F      F 
----- ---    ---
Bass:  A      A
C+:   IV6    IV6



          OR
       D      D
       G      D
       G      G 
----- ---    ---
Bass:  B      B
C+:    V6     V6