Inversions on the
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)
Here are some common examples of chord inversions, and how to play them on a bass guitar.
Explore the Bâ™ chord inversions
The root position of the Bâ™ triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Bâ™ triad chord is Bâ™
- The third (3) in the Bâ™ triad chord is D
- The fifth (5) in the Bâ™ triad chord is F
- The seventh (7) in the Bâ™maj7 triad chord is A
- The first inversion (3-5-1) is called Bâ™/D, which has the notes D-F-Bâ™
- The second inversion (5-1-3) is called Bâ™/F, which has the notes F-Bâ™-D
- The third inversion (7-1-3-5) is called Bâ™maj7/A, which has the notes A-Bâ™-D-F
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Explore the Bâ™m chord inversions
The root position of the Bâ™m triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Bâ™m triad chord is Bâ™
- The third (â™3) in the Bâ™m triad chord is Dâ™
- The fifth (5) in the Bâ™m triad chord is F
- The seventh (â™7) in the Bâ™m7 triad chord is Aâ™
- The first inversion (â™3-5-1) is called Bâ™m/Dâ™, which has the notes Dâ™-F-Bâ™
- The second inversion (5-1-â™3) is called Bâ™m/F, which has the notes F-Bâ™-Dâ™
- The third inversion (â™7-1-â™3-5) is called Bâ™m7/Aâ™, which has the notes Aâ™-Bâ™-Dâ™-F
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Explore the Bâ™aug chord inversions
The root position of the Bâ™aug triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Bâ™aug triad chord is Bâ™
- The third (3) in the Bâ™aug triad chord is D
- The fifth (♯5) in the Bâ™aug triad chord is F♯
- The seventh (7) in the Bâ™aug maj7 triad chord is A
- The first inversion (3-♯5-1) is called Bâ™aug/D, which has the notes D-F♯-Bâ™
- The second inversion (♯5-1-3) is called Bâ™aug/F♯, which has the notes F♯-Bâ™-D
- The third inversion (7-1-3-♯5) is called Bâ™aug maj7/A, which has the notes A-Bâ™-D-F♯
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Explore the Bâ™dim chord inversions
The root position of the Bâ™dim triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Bâ™dim triad chord is Bâ™
- The third (â™3) in the Bâ™dim triad chord is Dâ™
- The fifth (â™5) in the Bâ™dim triad chord is Fâ™
- The seventh (7) in the Bâ™dim7 triad chord is A
- The first inversion (â™3-â™5-1) is called Bâ™dim/Dâ™, which has the notes Dâ™-Fâ™-Bâ™
- The second inversion (â™5-1-â™3) is called Bâ™dim/Fâ™, which has the notes Fâ™-Bâ™-Dâ™
- The third inversion (7-1-â™3-â™5) is called Bâ™dim7/A, which has the notes A-Bâ™-Dâ™-Fâ™
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