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 B chord inversions

• The root (1) in the B triad chord is B
• The third (3) in the B triad chord is D♯
• The fifth (5) in the B triad chord is F♯
• The seventh (7) in the Bmaj7 triad chord is A♯

• The first inversion (3-5-1) is called B/D♯, which has the notes D♯-F♯-B
• The second inversion (5-1-3) is called B/F♯, which has the notes F♯-B-D♯
• The third inversion (7-1-3-5) is called Bmaj7/A♯, which has the notes A♯-B-D♯-F♯

Explore the Bm chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Bm triad chord is B
• The third (♭3) in the Bm triad chord is D
• The fifth (5) in the Bm triad chord is F♯
• The seventh (♭7) in the Bm7 triad chord is A

• The first inversion (♭3-5-1) is called Bm/D, which has the notes D-F♯-B
• The second inversion (5-1-♭3) is called Bm/F♯, which has the notes F♯-B-D
• The third inversion (♭7-1-♭3-5) is called Bm7/A, which has the notes A-B-D-F♯

Explore the Baug chord inversions

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

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

Explore the Bdim chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Bdim triad chord is B
• The third (♭3) in the Bdim triad chord is D
• The fifth (♭5) in the Bdim triad chord is F
• The seventh (7) in the Bdim7 triad chord is A♯

• The first inversion (♭3-♭5-1) is called Bdim/D, which has the notes D-F-B
• The second inversion (♭5-1-♭3) is called Bdim/F, which has the notes F-B-D
• The third inversion (7-1-♭3-♭5) is called Bdim7/A♯, which has the notes A♯-B-D-F