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 F chord inversions

• The root (1) in the F triad chord is F
• The third (3) in the F triad chord is A
• The fifth (5) in the F triad chord is C
• The seventh (7) in the Fmaj7 triad chord is E

• The first inversion (3-5-1) is called F/A, which has the notes A-C-F
• The second inversion (5-1-3) is called F/C, which has the notes C-F-A
• The third inversion (7-1-3-5) is called Fmaj7/E, which has the notes E-F-A-C

Explore the Fm chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Fm triad chord is F
• The third (♭3) in the Fm triad chord is A♭
• The fifth (5) in the Fm triad chord is C
• The seventh (♭7) in the Fm7 triad chord is E♭

• The first inversion (♭3-5-1) is called Fm/A♭, which has the notes A♭-C-F
• The second inversion (5-1-♭3) is called Fm/C, which has the notes C-F-A♭
• The third inversion (♭7-1-♭3-5) is called Fm7/E♭, which has the notes E♭-F-A♭-C

Explore the Faug chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Faug triad chord is F
• The third (3) in the Faug triad chord is A
• The fifth (♯5) in the Faug triad chord is C♯
• The seventh (7) in the Faug maj7 triad chord is E

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

Explore the Fdim chord inversions

• The root (1) in the Fdim triad chord is F
• The third (♭3) in the Fdim triad chord is A♭
• The fifth (♭5) in the Fdim triad chord is C♭
• The seventh (7) in the Fdim7 triad chord is E

• The first inversion (♭3-♭5-1) is called Fdim/A♭, which has the notes A♭-C♭-F
• The second inversion (♭5-1-♭3) is called Fdim/C♭, which has the notes C♭-F-A♭
• The third inversion (7-1-♭3-♭5) is called Fdim7/E, which has the notes E-F-A♭-C♭