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 Amaj7 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 Amaj7/G♯, which has the notes G♯-A-C♯-E

Explore the Am chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Am triad chord is A
• The third (♭3) in the Am triad chord is C
• The fifth (5) in the Am triad chord is E
• The seventh (♭7) in the Am7 triad chord is G

• The first inversion (♭3-5-1) is called Am/C, which has the notes C-E-A
• The second inversion (5-1-♭3) is called Am/E, which has the notes E-A-C
• The third inversion (♭7-1-♭3-5) is called Am7/G, which has the notes G-A-C-E

Explore the Aaug chord inversions

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

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

Explore the Adim chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Adim triad chord is A
• The third (♭3) in the Adim triad chord is C
• The fifth (♭5) in the Adim triad chord is E♭
• The seventh (7) in the Adim7 triad chord is G♯

• The first inversion (♭3-♭5-1) is called Adim/C, which has the notes C-E♭-A
• The second inversion (♭5-1-♭3) is called Adim/E♭, which has the notes E♭-A-C
• The third inversion (7-1-♭3-♭5) is called Adim7/G♯, which has the notes G♯-A-C-E♭