Voicing Chords
  • Composers will often arrange the notes of a chord in numerous ways in order to vary its sound. This process is called voicing.
  • To demonstrate this, we will voice an F major triad in root position.
  • Notice that we can arrange the notes in any order as long as F, A, and C are used and F is the lowest note.
  • Play and listen to these examples.
  • Next, we will voice an F major triad in first inversion.
  • By definition, a chord is in first inversion when the third is the lowest note. Thus, we need to make sure that each of our voicings uses A for the bottom note.
  • Play and listen to these examples.
  • Finally, we will voice an F major triad in second inversion.
  • The process is the same; however, we must be certain that the fifth (C) is used as the lowest note.
  • Play and listen to the final examples.
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