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 E chord inversions

• The root (1) in the E triad chord is E
• The third (3) in the E triad chord is G♯
• The fifth (5) in the E triad chord is B
• The seventh (7) in the Emaj7 triad chord is D♯

• The first inversion (3-5-1) is called E/G♯, which has the notes G♯-B-E
• The second inversion (5-1-3) is called E/B, which has the notes B-E-G♯
• The third inversion (7-1-3-5) is called Emaj7/D♯, which has the notes D♯-E-G♯-B

Explore the Em chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Em triad chord is E
• The third (♭3) in the Em triad chord is G
• The fifth (5) in the Em triad chord is B
• The seventh (♭7) in the Em7 triad chord is D

• The first inversion (♭3-5-1) is called Em/G, which has the notes G-B-E
• The second inversion (5-1-♭3) is called Em/B, which has the notes B-E-G
• The third inversion (♭7-1-♭3-5) is called Em7/D, which has the notes D-E-G-B

Explore the Eaug chord inversions

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

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

Explore the Edim chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Edim triad chord is E
• The third (♭3) in the Edim triad chord is G
• The fifth (♭5) in the Edim triad chord is B♭
• The seventh (7) in the Edim7 triad chord is D♯

• The first inversion (♭3-♭5-1) is called Edim/G, which has the notes G-B♭-E
• The second inversion (♭5-1-♭3) is called Edim/B♭, which has the notes B♭-E-G
• The third inversion (7-1-♭3-♭5) is called Edim7/D♯, which has the notes D♯-E-G-B♭