AboutDr Colin Expertise I can answer questions from students of "classical" composing, arranging, notation problems and music theory, writing for instruments and voice and writing music for education. I can answer questions about orchestration but I do not cover questions about pop or rock music, pop song writing or electronic music.
I taught for many years in UK up to "A" level theory and composition. I have spent many years in music education, initially (like everyone else) as a teacher. Then I moved on to advisory work (teaching teachers!) and also lectured, giving many workshops for teachers in developing music education skills and techniques. For a time I worked as a teacher-lecturer at London University's Institute of Education and eventually worked full-time as a Music Education Adviser to schools in part of London, offering advice on music education and curriculum development.
Experience I started composing music at the age 14 (it was mostly rubbish, since you asked) and now have a large number of compositions to credit as well as many publications, especially for instrumental music and choral music. I have also written several acclaimed works for large orchestra and choir. My work has been published particularly in the UK (under different names)(notably by Boosey & Hawkes, Novello, and Schott) but also in the USA and the Netherlands.
My music for elementary players (several publications) has been performed and broadcast worldwide. I am now retired from my previous job as Music Education Adviser. These days I spend most of my time composing and arranging. I am currently working on instrumental arrangements of world national anthems for my National Anthems website and also completing a suite of very easy piano solos and duets for elementary players. For many years I have used the music program "Finale" for all my music writing activities.
Organizations International Society for Music Education;
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Publications "The Times" Educational Supplement; "Hi-Fi News and Record Review". For several years, I used to write for many of the state music education periodicals in the US and I also wrote several influential articles on instrumental music teaching for "Music Teacher" magazine in the UK. (UK).
Question Hi. Any idea how I name a suspended 4th chord using roman numerals?
Thanks, Paulo.
Answer Hi Paulo,
Thanks for contacting me. The Roman numerals sometimes shown under chords are more of teaching aid than anything else and widely used in theory books. Outside this, they have little practical value in the world of modern music.
Complex chords cannot be expressed very easily by using Roman numerals. A suspension cannot be shown using Roman numerals entirely. You normally have to use Western numerals too. I guess you are referring to a what's often called a 4-3 suspension.
If the chord is a 4-3 suspension over a dominant, you could write the "V" (or V7) sign for dominant (or dominant seventh) and then write the 4-3 above it. But be careful, if you write the 4-3 beside the "V" is signifies a second inversion!
In this sense, Roman numerals share a few conventions with 17th century figured bass.
I hope this helps you.
I wish you well with your studies. If you feel I can be of help some other time, feel free to make contact again.
