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 A♭ chord inversions

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

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

Explore the A♭m chord inversions

• The root (1) in the A♭m triad chord is A♭
• The third (♭3) in the A♭m triad chord is C♭
• The fifth (5) in the A♭m triad chord is E♭
• The seventh (♭7) in the A♭m7 triad chord is G♭

• The first inversion (♭3-5-1) is called A♭m/C♭, which has the notes C♭-E♭-A♭
• The second inversion (5-1-♭3) is called A♭m/E♭, which has the notes E♭-A♭-C♭
• The third inversion (♭7-1-♭3-5) is called A♭m7/G♭, which has the notes G♭-A♭-C♭-E♭

Explore the A♭aug chord inversions

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

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

Explore the A♭dim chord inversions

• The root (1) in the A♭dim triad chord is A♭
• The third (♭3) in the A♭dim triad chord is C♭
• The fifth (♭5) in the A♭dim triad chord is E♭♭
• The seventh (7) in the A♭dim7 triad chord is G

• The first inversion (♭3-♭5-1) is called A♭dim/C♭, which has the notes C♭-E♭♭-A♭
• The second inversion (♭5-1-♭3) is called A♭dim/E♭♭, which has the notes E♭♭-A♭-C♭
• The third inversion (7-1-♭3-♭5) is called A♭dim7/G, which has the notes G-A♭-C♭-E♭♭