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 G chord inversions

• The root (1) in the G triad chord is G
• The third (3) in the G triad chord is B
• The fifth (5) in the G triad chord is D
• The seventh (7) in the Gmaj7 triad chord is F♯

• The first inversion (3-5-1) is called G/B, which has the notes B-D-G
• The second inversion (5-1-3) is called G/D, which has the notes D-G-B
• The third inversion (7-1-3-5) is called Gmaj7/F♯, which has the notes F♯-G-B-D

Explore the Gm chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Gm triad chord is G
• The third (♭3) in the Gm triad chord is B♭
• The fifth (5) in the Gm triad chord is D
• The seventh (♭7) in the Gm7 triad chord is F

• The first inversion (♭3-5-1) is called Gm/B♭, which has the notes B♭-D-G
• The second inversion (5-1-♭3) is called Gm/D, which has the notes D-G-B♭
• The third inversion (♭7-1-♭3-5) is called Gm7/F, which has the notes F-G-B♭-D

Explore the Gaug chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Gaug triad chord is G
• The third (3) in the Gaug triad chord is B
• The fifth (♯5) in the Gaug triad chord is D♯
• The seventh (7) in the Gaug maj7 triad chord is F♯

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

Explore the Gdim chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Gdim triad chord is G
• The third (♭3) in the Gdim triad chord is B♭
• The fifth (♭5) in the Gdim triad chord is D♭
• The seventh (7) in the Gdim7 triad chord is F♯

• The first inversion (♭3-♭5-1) is called Gdim/B♭, which has the notes B♭-D♭-G
• The second inversion (♭5-1-♭3) is called Gdim/D♭, which has the notes D♭-G-B♭
• The third inversion (7-1-♭3-♭5) is called Gdim7/F♯, which has the notes F♯-G-B♭-D♭