4/3

Definition

The term 4/3 refers to a specific interval in music known as the perfect fourth. This interval is often seen in chord inversions and figured bass, as it describes the distance between the root note and the note that is four scale degrees above it. It plays a crucial role in establishing harmony and understanding how chords can be rearranged while retaining their essential qualities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The perfect fourth interval, represented by 4/3, consists of four scale degrees and spans two whole steps and one half step.
2. In chord inversions, when the lowest note is a fifth above the root, it often results in a 4/3 interval being formed with the next higher note.
3. In figured bass notation, a '4' under the bass note indicates that the player should include the fourth above that bass note, highlighting the harmonic structure.
4. The 4/3 interval can create tension when used in harmony, often resolving to a more stable interval like a major or minor third.
5. Recognizing and understanding the 4/3 interval is essential for analyzing and constructing harmonies in tonal music.

Review Questions

• How does the 4/3 interval function within a chord inversion?
  • In a chord inversion, the arrangement of notes can lead to the formation of a 4/3 interval between certain voices. For example, when a triad is inverted, the notes are rearranged so that the bass note may not be the root. This can create harmonic movement where the fourth above that bass note introduces new tensions and resolutions that contribute to overall musical progressions.
• Discuss how figured bass notation utilizes the concept of 4/3 to guide performers in chordal accompaniment.
  • Figured bass notation explicitly indicates intervals above the bass note, including the 4/3 interval. When a '4' appears beneath a bass note, it directs the performer to add a note that is a perfect fourth above that bass pitch. This provides essential guidance for creating harmonies that enrich the texture of the music while allowing for improvisation based on those foundational intervals.
• Evaluate the significance of recognizing 4/3 intervals in analyzing tonal music's harmonic structure and progression.
  • Recognizing 4/3 intervals is crucial for understanding tonal music's harmonic language. These intervals contribute to creating tension within progressions that often resolves into more consonant sounds, shaping how listeners perceive musical movement. By analyzing how 4/3 intervals function within various chord structures and progressions, musicians can gain deeper insights into compositional techniques and enhance their own creative practices.

Related terms

Chord Inversion: A rearrangement of the notes in a chord, where a note other than the root is placed in the bass position.

Figured Bass: A musical notation system that indicates intervals above a bass note, helping performers understand which chords to play.

Interval:

The distance between two pitches, which can be described by their scale degree relationship.