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 guitar.
Explore the Gâ™ chord inversions
The root position of the Gâ™ triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Gâ™ triad chord is Gâ™
- The third (3) in the Gâ™ triad chord is Bâ™
- The fifth (5) in the Gâ™ triad chord is Dâ™
- The seventh (7) in the Gâ™maj7 triad chord is F
- The first inversion (3-5-1) is called Gâ™/Bâ™, which has the notes Bâ™-Dâ™-Gâ™
- The second inversion (5-1-3) is called Gâ™/Dâ™, which has the notes Dâ™-Gâ™-Bâ™
- The third inversion (7-1-3-5) is called Gâ™maj7/F, which has the notes F-Gâ™-Bâ™-Dâ™
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Explore the Gâ™m chord inversions
The root position of the Gâ™m triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Gâ™m triad chord is Gâ™
- The third (â™3) in the Gâ™m triad chord is Bâ™â™
- The fifth (5) in the Gâ™m triad chord is Dâ™
- The seventh (â™7) in the Gâ™m7 triad chord is Fâ™
- The first inversion (â™3-5-1) is called Gâ™m/Bâ™â™, which has the notes Bâ™â™-Dâ™-Gâ™
- The second inversion (5-1-â™3) is called Gâ™m/Dâ™, which has the notes Dâ™-Gâ™-Bâ™â™
- The third inversion (â™7-1-â™3-5) is called Gâ™m7/Fâ™, which has the notes Fâ™-Gâ™-Bâ™â™-Dâ™
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Explore the Gâ™aug chord inversions
The root position of the Gâ™aug triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Gâ™aug triad chord is Gâ™
- The third (3) in the Gâ™aug triad chord is Bâ™
- The fifth (♯5) in the Gâ™aug triad chord is D
- The seventh (7) in the Gâ™aug maj7 triad chord is F
- The first inversion (3-♯5-1) is called Gâ™aug/Bâ™, which has the notes Bâ™-D-Gâ™
- The second inversion (♯5-1-3) is called Gâ™aug/D, which has the notes D-Gâ™-Bâ™
- The third inversion (7-1-3-♯5) is called Gâ™aug maj7/F, which has the notes F-Gâ™-Bâ™-D
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Explore the Gâ™dim chord inversions
The root position of the Gâ™dim triad chord in major scale:- The root (1) in the Gâ™dim triad chord is Gâ™
- The third (â™3) in the Gâ™dim triad chord is Bâ™â™
- The fifth (â™5) in the Gâ™dim triad chord is Dâ™â™
- The seventh (7) in the Gâ™dim7 triad chord is F
- The first inversion (â™3-â™5-1) is called Gâ™dim/Bâ™â™, which has the notes Bâ™â™-Dâ™â™-Gâ™
- The second inversion (â™5-1-â™3) is called Gâ™dim/Dâ™â™, which has the notes Dâ™â™-Gâ™-Bâ™â™
- The third inversion (7-1-â™3-â™5) is called Gâ™dim7/F, which has the notes F-Gâ™-Bâ™â™-Dâ™â™
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