Chord Roots:
The Root of any chord will be the note which corresponds to the letter name of the chord. For example, the root of a C-Major chord is C. If
a chord is in root position, the root will always be the lowest note
in that chord. The following chord is a C-Major chord in root
position, containing the notes C, E, and G:
Chord Inversion:
If the root of a chord is
not in the bass (the lowest note in a chord voicing) then that chord
is said to be an Inverted Chord. For example, starting form
lowest to highest, if you have the notes E, G and C, you have an
inverted C Major chord. It is inverted because the C, the root of the
chord, is not in the bass. It does not matter what in order the notes
are arranged, as long as the chord has the same notes as the root
position chord. For example, in the following chord we have the notes
E, G, and C:
This is an inversion of
the C-Major chord. It is still a C-Major chord, but just with the
notes rearranged. Any chord with the notes C, E, and G is a C-Major
chord, no matter what order the notes are arranged, because they all
contain the same three notes. The following example shows a C-Major chord
in root position and inversions:
If the root of the chord
is in the bass then the chord is in root position. If the third of a
chord is in the bass then the chord is in first inversion. If the
fifth of the chord is in the bass then the chord is in second
inversion.
The following example
shows differently spaced chords in root position or inversion. It
only matters what the lowest note is to make it in root position or
an inversion. The chord voicing (arrangement or spacing of the notes)
does not matter:
This principle of
inversion applies to all chords, and also to chords with sevenths or
other extended chords. The more notes a chord contains, the more
inversions are possible. For example, seventh chords can have also
have a third inversion, and ninth chords can have also have a third
and fourth inversion.
Other Examples of Inverted Chords:
