Chord Inversions… The Basics!

In other lessons we studied “major and minor chords.”

These three-toned chords are what we call – “Triads.”

Principle: The # of tones (notes played) equals the # of ways the chord can be played.

The above statement describes what we call “inversions.”

3-toned = Triads
4-toned = Seventh
5-toned = ninth
6-toned = eleventh
7-toned = thirteenth

For example, the (C13 chord) has 7 tones so it can be played literally 7 different ways.

In this lesson ,we will study the inversions of a “triad.”

Since a triad is three-toned, it can be played three different ways: the “root position”, the “first inversion”, or the “second inversion.”

#1: If the Root (chord name) is the lowest tone of the chord, the chord is said to be played in “root” or “fundamental position.”

#2 If the Third (3) of the chord is the lowest tone played, it is said to be in its “first inversion.”

#3 If the Fifth (5) of the chord is the lowest tone played, it is said to be in its “second inversion.”

For example, in (C major), the root position of a (C major) chord is:

(C) – (E) – (G) — C (or the root) is played on the bottom

First Inversion: (E) – (G) – (C) — (E), the (3) degree of (C major) is played on the bottom.

Second Inversion: (G) – (C) – (E) — (G), the (5) degree of (C major) is played on the bottom.

Try learning the 3 inversions of all 12 major chords!

—- In our 300-pg workbook, the inversions of seventh, ninth, eleventh, diminished, dominant, and thirteenth chords are also studied. Read more about the 300-pg course by visiting:

http://www.hearandplay.com/course

Thank you for your time and I’ll be back tomorrow!

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