Functional Chord Symbols Question

[pianoplayer1224]

Hi,

When I first learned harmony,I was taught to use only uppercase roman numerals for both major and minor chords. For a theory placement test  that I will be writing soon at a different school I  am going to be switching to using upper case for major chords and lower case for minor chords, as that is the system they use there.

But I have a question...
If you are using mixture, for example when in the key of C major you use an F minor chord the roman numeral would be iv. Would you have to specify beyond the use of lower case that the third is flat (by for example stating below that it is "borrowed")?
Would this be right?  Root Position ivb, 1st inv. iv6b1, 2nd inv. ivb64

I know if using the all upper case system the alteration is indicated in the arabic numerals, but do you have to do that when using lower case.

I hope my question makes sense.   

[yale_music]

Good question...

The simple answer is no. You don't have to specify anything beyond the lower-case Roman numeral. Just write iv for an F minor chord in the key of C major.

The entire point of upper-case versus lower-case notation (which can be discarded once you're past the beginner stage) is to distinguish between major and minor chords. A note of caution: the notation you proposed in its place (e.g., iv6b1) does not say what you think it does, so don't use it.

Also, remember that in the system you use, diminished chords are lower-case with a naught (e.g., vii^o) and augmented chords are upper case with a plus sign (e.g., III⁺).

Good luck!

[pianoplayer1224]

Thanks. That's exactly what I wanted to make sure of.