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Let's look at an example.
There are some new figures here. The first '6' has a slash through it. This means the note which is a 6th above the given 'A' needs to be raised by a semitone. This is chord [VIIb in G minor] which has an F# in it; the F# is not in the key signature and needs to be shown in the figures when required.
Slash notation is the older way of writing figures but it crops up a great deal in music of the period. These days the slash 6 is usually written #6. [Annoyingly the Associated Board Grade 6 workbook uses the convention 6#. It means the same.]
When an accidental occurs by itself it always refers to the 3rd of the chord.
In bar 2 above, the # is short for the figures shown on the left here.
The 5 is taken for granted as we discovered earlier.In the final bar the natural also refers to the 3rd of the chord. Here a B natural produces a Tierce de Picardie.
A flat can also appear on its own; again would refer to the 3rd of the chord.
Here is the passage again, realised, and without the slash notation. LISTEN TO IT.
Accidentals can also occur next to other figures but we will meet these when we deal with seventh chords. Have a look at the Grade 6 workbook page 6 if you want to see some examples.
EXERCISE 2
Download the PDF file and write the chords required.
HERE is the answer sheet as a PDF.
This page was last edited on 22/07/2008
