LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Harmony analysis; how to annotate maj?

FransE -- 10/03/2006, 02:27:48 -- #30229

I'm trying to rewrite a standard into a generic harmony analysis. I can't come up with the right word for it, but it's when you don't write down the exact chords, but rather I(for tonic), V(dominant), and so on. What is this approach called in English? I had no look with wikipedia. Anyway, I'm looking for how to write a maj-chord in this function analysis. For example, In C the tonic(I) is C. But how is Cmaj7 annotated? Imaj7? Also, let say I want to annotate C/g(in key C, that's the tonic C-triad with tone g as the root/base) as function analysis. How's that done? I/5?

charlp88 -- 10/03/2006, 06:51:04 -- #30229

Dear fransE Im not sure if this is Exactly what you mean but,the Greek modes state the I=MAJ   ii =min  iii=min IV=MAJ V=dom  vi=min vii=minb5. this is based on the aeolian mode which is the Major scale we are all familiar with . the other thing is to treat it like a mathematical fraction with the root on the bottom and then stacking the other notes on top based on the intervals , then the melody on top; for a cmi chord in root position its 1 b3 5 b7   I hope I have helped Good Luck charlie

jazzwee -- 10/03/2006, 09:52:16 -- #30229

The term by the way is "Roman Numeral Analysis". Typical notation is to capitalize for Major and lowercase for minor, but if there is some other quality you want to express that is unique, you can append it to the roman numeral. For example vii is half diminished in normal form. If you want to turn it into a dominant then, change it to VII7.

7 -- 10/03/2006, 10:06:14 -- #30229

Also, let say I want to annotate C/g(in key C, that's the tonic C-triad with tone g as the root/base) as function analysis. How's that done? I/5? Correct: Generic Slash Bass Notation Generic "Slash Bass" Leadsheet Notation Codified. http://www.Beff-Brent.com/Lessons/SlashBass.html

charlp88 -- 10/03/2006, 10:57:31 -- #30229

HEY FRanse try this site   CHORD SYMBOL NOTATION BASICS

jazzwee -- 10/03/2006, 11:26:15 -- #30229

And not to confuse further but slashes are often used to indicate modulations. e.g. ii - V - I  - ii/iii - V/iii, etc. here indicating a tune previously with a tonic of I, but now with a tonic that is the iii of the original I.

CynBad -- 10/03/2006, 11:26:58 -- #30229

Look at Mehegan.  He's got it covered. Basically, the capital I refers to the major triad on 1. Lowercase numerals such as ii refer to a minor triad.

7 -- 10/04/2006, 08:42:10 -- #30229

There was a typo in the Url Generic Slash Bass Notation Generic "Slash Bass" Leadsheet Notation Codified. http://www.Jeff-Brent.com/Lessons/SlashBass.html

Mike -- 10/08/2006, 08:57:03 -- #30229

Actually.... if you are doing a harmonic analysis for other musicians and you want them to understand what you are talking about... you do it the way 7 illustrates.  But it a textbook situation ie, University situation you use figureed bass or you fail..  A first inversion is written with the number 6...  So the first inversion of C major in the key of C in Harmonic analysis is   I6.  This means there is an interval of a sixth from the bass to the root of the chord.  For first inversion for C major in the key of C you use  I6  this means the root                                                 4 is a fouth above the bass note and the other note a sixth above. and so on and so on.  There is an entire system you have to learn to correctly do harmonic analyses in a university setting.

Mike -- 10/08/2006, 08:58:20 -- #30229

oops it did not come out  I was trying to type 6 with a 4 below it for second inversion.

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