Inversions on the
Eā Inversions on the guitar
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)
Here are some common examples of chord inversions, and how to play them on a guitar.
Explore the Eā chord inversions
The root position of the Eā triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Eā triad chord is Eā
- The third (3) in the Eā triad chord is G
- The fifth (5) in the Eā triad chord is Bā
- The first inversion (3-5-1) is called Eā/G, which has the notes G-Bā-Eā
- The second inversion (5-1-3) is called Eā/Bā, which has the notes Bā-Eā-G
- The third inversion (7-1-3-5) is called Eāmaj7/D, which has the notes D-Eā-G-Bā
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Explore the Eām chord inversions
The root position of the Eām triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Eām triad chord is Eā
- The third (ā3) in the Eām triad chord is Gā
- The fifth (5) in the Eām triad chord is Bā
- The first inversion (ā3-5-1) is called Eām/Gā, which has the notes Gā-Bā-Eā
- The second inversion (5-1-ā3) is called Eām/Bā, which has the notes Bā-Eā-Gā
- The third inversion (ā7-1-ā3-5) is called Eām7/Dā, which has the notes Dā-Eā-Gā-Bā
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Explore the Eāaug chord inversions
The root position of the Eāaug triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Eāaug triad chord is Eā
- The third (3) in the Eāaug triad chord is G
- The fifth (āÆ5) in the Eāaug triad chord is B
- The first inversion (3-āÆ5-1) is called Eāaug/G, which has the notes G-B-Eā
- The second inversion (āÆ5-1-3) is called Eāaug/B, which has the notes B-Eā-G
- The third inversion (7-1-3-āÆ5) is called Eāaug maj7/D, which has the notes D-Eā-G-B
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Explore the Eādim chord inversions
The root position of the Eādim triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Eādim triad chord is Eā
- The third (ā3) in the Eādim triad chord is Gā
- The fifth (ā5) in the Eādim triad chord is Bāā
- The first inversion (ā3-ā5-1) is called Eādim/Gā, which has the notes Gā-Bāā-Eā
- The second inversion (ā5-1-ā3) is called Eādim/Bāā, which has the notes Bāā-Eā-Gā
- The third inversion (7-1-ā3-ā5) is called Eādim7/D, which has the notes D-Eā-Gā-Bāā
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