• Chord Inversions… The Basics!

    in Chords & Progressions,Theory

    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:

    https://www.hearandplay.com/course

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

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    Hi, I'm Jermaine Griggs, founder of this site. We teach people how to express themselves through the language of music. Just as you talk and listen freely, music can be enjoyed and played in the same way... if you know the rules of the "language!" I started this site at 17 years old in August 2000 and more than a decade later, we've helped literally millions of musicians along the way. Enjoy!




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