Chord Inversions Theory
Any chord can be played in a number of different positions.
The sound of an inverted chord
When we "invert" a chord, the resultant sound is usually lighter and less definite than a chord in it's root position.
An Inverted Chord Notated
In popular music, inverted chords are written with the bass letter name after the chord. For example, C/E is C chord, with E in the bass. In classical or serious music, figured basses are used to notate inversions.
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C/E notated
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Theory - how to work out chord inversions.
Any chord can be play in one of three positions:-
C major chord in root position
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Root Position
When it's in it's "root" position, the bottom note of the chord is the same as the name of the chord. For example, with C major in root position, the chord would be played with C at the bottom, like this = C - E - G.
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C major chord in first inversion
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First Inversion
However, we can also play the same notes in a different place by moving the C to the top of the chord, so that now C is played E - G - C. When "E" is in the bass in a C major chord, we call this "C major 1st inversion", and write it "C/E". |
C major chord in second inversion
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Second Inversion
If we take C/E, and move the E to the top of the chord, we have created the second inversion of C major. Here the notes would be G - C - E, and we write this C/G.
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We can apply this technique to any chord (major, minor, diminished or augmented) and create inversions. Just move the bottom note to the top of the chord to work through the positions.
Here's another example:-
G (in root position) = G - B - D
G/B (Ist inversion) = B - D - G
G/D (2nd inversion) = D - G - B
A common misunderstanding
People frequently think that if they see the symbol G/B it means play either G or B! Remember that the first letter refers to the chord that it is to be played, the second letter refers to the bass note (what the bass player might play, or what might be played in the left hand by the piano player).
The third inversion
After
the second inversion, if we move the bass note to the top of the chord again (e.g. with C/G, the notes being G - C - E) we get back to where we started (e.g. with C, the notes now being C - E - G). This is true for all triad chords.
However, some chords contain four or more notes, such as seventh chords. Here, it is possible to have a third inversion, before we are back to root position again. For instance, C7:-
C7 (root position) = C - E - G - Bb
C7/E = E - G - Bb - C
C7/G = G - Bb - C - E
C7/Bb = Bb - C - E - G
This theory can be applied to any four note chord.
TOP TIP:
Here's a great way of practising inversions on the piano - a four chord progression based on Am.
First, play the chords Am, G, F and E. Once you're fairly confident with this, play Am in it's root position (A - C - E), then it's first inversion (C - A - E), then it's second inversion (E - A - C), anf finally back to the first inversion. Then move to the next chord (G), and do a similar thing, then repeat this with F and E chords. Hold the sustaining pedal through each chord, only change it when you move to the next one (e.g. from Am to G etc.)
You can vary this by playing the same thing as broken chords. E.g. play each note of Am one by one - A, then C then E. Do this with the first inversion, and then the second. Then, play the second inversion once more, this time playing the notes from the top down (C, A, then E). Now play the first inversion from the top down, and finally play the root position in the same way. Once this is done, see if you can move to the next chord in the sequence (G) and do the same thing, and follow this with F and finally E chords.
Another chord sequence that works well with this is one based on Em. Here the chords are Em, D, C and B.
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