Bass Arpeggiation- The bass moves down
so that the notes outline a chord. A I6/4
chord will be needed to achieve the
arpeggiated bass.
 Melodic Bass- If the bass line takes on a
more melodic role with the upper voices
providing the harmony, then a I 6/4
chord may be used.

Used at the end of the of a piece to
extend the Final Cadence Sound
 Extends the Dominant or V chord sound
in the bass
 The I 6/4 occurs on the strong beat in a
measure: i.e. 1 or 3 in 4/4/; 1 in ¾
 Typical Cadential Progression: I6/4-V-I
 Voice Leading: The upper voice move
into and out of the I 6/4 chord smoothly

The passing Six-Four is used to harmonize
the middle note of a three-note scalar
figure in the bass.
 Although any triad may be used as a
passing six-four chord, the following are the
most commonly used and are found in both
major and minor.

› I- V6/4-I6
› IV6-I6/4-ii6

Voice Leading: The upper voice should
move in contrary motion to the bass line
Used as an Elaboration of a static root
position triad
 The Bass and doubled note are held
while the other two voices move up and
down by step
 Common Pedal Progression Chords:

› I-(IV6/4)-I
› V-(I6/4)-V

6/4 chord must occur on a weak beat
and must be analyzed in parentheses.
The Bass (5th of the Chord) should be
doubled.
 The other voices move as smoothly as
possible-often by step-both into and out
of the six four chord.
