Resolving the V7 and its Inversions
Let’s create a V7 chord by stacking 3rds on scale degree 5. SATB style, anyone? What is the quality of the intervals between the chord tones?
1. *A chordal seventh (almost) always resolves DOWN by step* 2. In a dominant to tonic cadence, scale degree 7 leads to scale degree one 3. When a root position V7 moves to a root position I, one chord must be incomplete.
Yes, to avoid those dreaded parallel 5ths! An incomplete chord is one that is lacking 5 th, which is considered the least essential interval. An incomplete I/i chord: Written with 3 roots and one third. An incomplete V7 chord: The root is usually doubled and the 5 th is left out.
V7 to I in G major Notice how the last chord is missing the 5th
Root position 1 st inversion (3 rd in bass) Bass must resolve up to tonic 2 nd inversion (5 th in bass) Bass usually resolves down a step to tonic 3 rd inversion (7 th in bass) Must resolve to a first inversion I chord.
Notice how the leading tone resolves upward
The tri-tone between scale degrees 7 and 4 resolves inward
Scale degree 4 in the bass resolves downward the leading tone resolves upward to G
Just remember: The chordal 7 th (scale degree 4) resolves DOWN to scale degree 3 The leading tone (scale degree 7) resolves UPWARD to scale degree 1 (tonic)