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 D chord inversions

• The root (1) in the D triad chord is D
• The third (3) in the D triad chord is F♯
• The fifth (5) in the D triad chord is A
• The seventh (7) in the Dmaj7 triad chord is C♯

• The first inversion (3-5-1) is called D/F♯, which has the notes F♯-A-D
• The second inversion (5-1-3) is called D/A, which has the notes A-D-F♯
• The third inversion (7-1-3-5) is called Dmaj7/C♯, which has the notes C♯-D-F♯-A

Explore the Dm chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Dm triad chord is D
• The third (♭3) in the Dm triad chord is F
• The fifth (5) in the Dm triad chord is A
• The seventh (♭7) in the Dm7 triad chord is C

• The first inversion (♭3-5-1) is called Dm/F, which has the notes F-A-D
• The second inversion (5-1-♭3) is called Dm/A, which has the notes A-D-F
• The third inversion (♭7-1-♭3-5) is called Dm7/C, which has the notes C-D-F-A

Explore the Daug chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Daug triad chord is D
• The third (3) in the Daug triad chord is F♯
• The fifth (♯5) in the Daug triad chord is A♯
• The seventh (7) in the Daug maj7 triad chord is C♯

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

Explore the Ddim chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Ddim triad chord is D
• The third (♭3) in the Ddim triad chord is F
• The fifth (♭5) in the Ddim triad chord is A♭
• The seventh (7) in the Ddim7 triad chord is C♯

• The first inversion (♭3-♭5-1) is called Ddim/F, which has the notes F-A♭-D
• The second inversion (♭5-1-♭3) is called Ddim/A♭, which has the notes A♭-D-F
• The third inversion (7-1-♭3-♭5) is called Ddim7/C♯, which has the notes C♯-D-F-A♭