Figured Bass (Review)

The following figures were covered at ABRSM Grade 7. Here is a quick review:

7^th Chords

The figuring of added 7th chords was covered at grade 7, but here’s a quick reminder of the 4 inversions of 7th chords, and their figures. The four chords are all G7 (V7 in C major).

They are in root position (7), 1st inversion (6/5), 2nd inversion (4/3) and 3rd inversion (4/2).

4-3 Suspension

The figure 4-3 shows a suspension of a 4th within a root position chord. The 4^th then resolves downwards to the 3^rd.

When you are realising a figured bass, you need to remember that the suspension note (the 4^th) needs to be prepared in the previous chord. This means the same note needs to appear in the same part (unless this is impossible to do).

At grade 8, you also need to be able to write suspensions in 3-part harmony. In a 4-3 suspension, the “other” note which is in the chord above the figure 4 will normally need to be the 5^th of the triad. In this example, F is first prepared in an F major chord, then suspended into a C major chord. The bass is the root note C, and the other part has the 5^th, G. F then resolves to E.