First Inversion Chords

A First Inversion Triad has the third of the chord in the bass rather than the root.  It is notated with a letter e.g. Ib (Ia being root position) or with figured bass style numbers indicating the intervals above the bass that complete the First Inversion Chord e.g. I6 - this indicates that the third of the chord is in the bass, the root is a sixth above the base and (it is implied that) the remaining note (the fifth) is a third above the bass.  First inversion chords can also be called Chord of the Sixth or 6-3 chords too.  When harmonizing for four voices SATB one of the voices must be doubled.  In the exercises that follow, you should adopt the following rules for your use of First Inversion Chords:

1. You can double the root of the Chord

2. You can also double the fifth (but doubling of the third is generally to be avoided - we will loosen this rule later)

3. Keep the Soprano moving where possible and keep the common tone in an inner voice - this helps shape your melody line

4. If you repeat the Soprano note then change the inversion if you are not changing to a new chord

5. Using some or all chords in Open Position (top 3 voices span more than an octave) will give a better sounding arrangement

6. When going from IV to V or vice versa, if either is an inversion then contrary motion is not required between the bass and the other voices

The examples below show examples of how these rules are applied

You practice these examples until you can play each one fluently (e.g. up to 120 bpm).  Then try and transpose the examples into other keys - e.g. F, G, Bb, D etc.  

Below are a selection of exercises to try with figured bass, roman numerals and a few with no figuration where you are free to choose the chords within the rules above.