when the notes of a chord are reordered so that the root is not the lowest note

a standard 3-note chord, with notes a third apart

the bottom note in a triad, and the note the chord is named after (e.g. the note in a G chord)

a chord in which the root note is the lowest note

when the notes of a chord are not all played at the same time (in contrast to a block chord)

F major chord

British English CC

It consists of three notes

First inversion

Second inversion

All three inversions

Root position only

Some inversions

Root position chords: video

Inversions: video

Using chord inversions: video

Task A feedback

What's the difference? Ex.1

What's the difference? Ex.2

Block chords

Broken chords

C chord in first inversion

Ascending pattern using quavers

Descending pattern with semiquavers

This example starts with a block chord

The broken chord pattern should be the same for each chord: clip 1

The broken chord pattern should be the same for each chord: clip 2

Creating broken chords: video 1

Creating broken chords: video 2

Task B feedback

Developing a chord sequence

Music

Melodic fundamentals

Developing a melody

Composing a chord sequence

Combining melody and harmony

This unit explores fundamental components of composition. It embeds and develops pupils' understanding of writing melodies, including idiomatic features and making a melody sound 'melodic'. It also explores effective writing of chord sequences, and how these intertwine with melodic writing.

Fundamentals of composition

Starting and finishing with a __________ position chord can help to reinforce the key.

The bottom note of a triad chord is called the __________ note.

If the root note is the lowest note in a chord, it is in root __________.

A chord __________ is where the root note is not the lowest note in the chord.

A __________ chord is where the notes of a chord are not all played at the same time.

Which two chords create a perfect cadence?

An __________ cadence finishes on chord V and feels unfinished.

Half of the chords should be secondary chords.

A few of the chords should be secondary chords.

None of the chords should be secondary chords.

How should secondary chords be used in a chord sequence?

Which chord creates a feeling of completeness at the end of a chord sequence?

Starter Quiz

Which of these is the tonic chord?