A chordal seventh refers to adding a seventh note above a triad, creating a four-note chord. This type of seventh can be major or minor depending on its distance from the root note.
Imagine a triad as a three-legged stool, stable but missing something. Adding a chordal seventh is like adding the fourth leg to make it more complete and balanced.
Root Position: In root position, the root note of the chord is in the bass or lowest voice.
First Inversion: In first inversion, the third of the chord is in the bass, creating a different sound and harmonic function.
Second Inversion: In second inversion, the fifth of the chord is in the bass, resulting in another unique sound and harmonic function.
AP Music Theory - Unit 4 Overview: Harmony and Voice Leading I (Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase)
AP Music Theory - 6.4 Embellishing Tones: Identifying and Writing Suspensions; Identifying Retardations
AP Music Theory - 7.4 Part Writing of Secondary Leading Tone Chords
AP Music Theory - 7.3 Tonicization through Secondary Leading Tone Chords
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