Inversions are a fundamental concept in music theory that refer to the rearrangement of the notes in a chord. In a basic chord, the root note (the note that names the chord) is the lowest sounding note. However, in an inversion, one of the other notes in the chord is played as the lowest note. Inversions are used to create different voicings of the same chord, adding variety and depth to musical compositions. They can also smooth out chord progressions, making the transitions between chords sound more natural and fluid.

There are three main types of inversions for triads and four for seventh chords. There is also a third inversion, this is only applicable to seventh chords, where the seventh of the chord is the lowest note.

• Root Position: The root note is the lowest note. (1-3-5 for a triad, 1-3-5-7 for a seventh chord)
• First Inversion: The third is the lowest note. (3-5-1 for a triad, 3-5-7-1 for a seventh chord)
• Second Inversion: The fifth is the lowest note. (5-1-3 for a triad, 5-7-1-3 for a seventh chord)
• Third Inversion (only for seventh chords): The seventh is the lowest note. (7-1-3-5)

Explore the C chord inversions

• The root (1) in the C triad chord is C
• The third (3) in the C triad chord is E
• The fifth (5) in the C triad chord is G
• The seventh (7) in the Cmaj7 triad chord is B

• The first inversion (3-5-1) is called C/E, which has the notes E-G-C
• The second inversion (5-1-3) is called C/G, which has the notes G-C-E
• The third inversion (7-1-3-5) is called Cmaj7/B, which has the notes B-C-E-G

Explore the Cm chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Cm triad chord is C
• The third (♭3) in the Cm triad chord is E♭
• The fifth (5) in the Cm triad chord is G
• The seventh (♭7) in the Cm7 triad chord is B♭

• The first inversion (♭3-5-1) is called Cm/E♭, which has the notes E♭-G-C
• The second inversion (5-1-♭3) is called Cm/G, which has the notes G-C-E♭
• The third inversion (♭7-1-♭3-5) is called Cm7/B♭, which has the notes B♭-C-E♭-G

Explore the Caug chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Caug triad chord is C
• The third (3) in the Caug triad chord is E
• The fifth (♯5) in the Caug triad chord is G♯
• The seventh (7) in the Caug maj7 triad chord is B

• The first inversion (3-♯5-1) is called Caug/E, which has the notes E-G♯-C
• The second inversion (♯5-1-3) is called Caug/G♯, which has the notes G♯-C-E
• The third inversion (7-1-3-♯5) is called Caug maj7/B, which has the notes B-C-E-G♯

Explore the Cdim chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Cdim triad chord is C
• The third (♭3) in the Cdim triad chord is E♭
• The fifth (♭5) in the Cdim triad chord is G♭
• The seventh (7) in the Cdim7 triad chord is B

• The first inversion (♭3-♭5-1) is called Cdim/E♭, which has the notes E♭-G♭-C
• The second inversion (♭5-1-♭3) is called Cdim/G♭, which has the notes G♭-C-E♭
• The third inversion (7-1-♭3-♭5) is called Cdim7/B, which has the notes B-C-E♭-G♭