[Smt-talk] French chord figuring [was: Re: Written record of Boulanger pedagogy?]

[Michele Ignelzi]

Dear Nicolas,

I agree with you that structure (a legitimate object of analysis, I'd  
say) and function of chords should remain distinct. But we have other  
means than (Hindu-Arabic numeral) figuring to express function...

By the way, do you or others on the list know who used that figuring  
first? I'm not aware of anyone before Dubois...

Best regards,
Michele


On Dec 19, 2010, at 3:48 PM, Nicolas Meeùs wrote:

> The problem with that figuring is that one tends to mistake label  
> (or form) for function. It all depends on how the figuring is  
> performed. If +6 becomes a label for any chord in the form of a  
> dominant 7th in second inversion, then the figuring loses any  
> analytical value, IMO. The + should be used exclusively to denote a  
> leading tone that resolves as a leading tone; but our students do  
> not restrict it to that particular case!
>
> Nicolas Meeùs
> Université Paris-Sorbonne

---------------------
Michele Ignelzi
m.ignelzi at tin.it
Florence State Conservatory, Italy