Ok here we go. I showed you how to form a chord using the formulas e.g. Major = 1 3 5 and minor = 1 b3 5. I'll use C Major as an example. So basically you just play the 1st 3rd and 5th notes of the Key of C to make a C major chord. But what about the order? What if you played the 3rd note first, then the 1st and 5th? Will this make a difference? Yes it does, it is still a C major chord but it sounds different. This is known as an Inversion. Lets look at the typical C major chord that is played.
The first note played is the C note. So this is known as the Root position. (C is the root note in the C major chord) But what if you played this chord instead?
Now the E is the first note played. This is known as the 1st Inversion. 1st Inversion is when the 3rd is played first(when it is the bass note). This may be written as a C/E chord. What about this chord?
Now the G is the first note. This is known as 2nd Inversion because the 5th note is in the bass position. This may be written as C/G chord. There you go! Now you know what Inversions are. So if someone asked you to play a C/E chord you know that it is just an Inversion of the C major chord. Its just a C major chord with an E as the bass note.
Comments:
01
07.26.2007 ![]() wow! you just made a whole lot of sense...ive been trying to figure these things out forever...unfortunatly...these inversions i already know...could show me some more complicated ones like....dominant 7th inversions?
02
07.30.2007 ![]() The dominant 7th inversions work in the same fashion. Just switch up the base notes and you have an inversion.
03
08.05.2007
04
12.13.2007
05
12.14.2007 ![]() Yeah I didnt mention the order. First inversion is the third in the base, second is the fifth and tird is the 7th.
06
02.19.2009 ![]() Yea, great job on explaining this lessons and your other ones. I just recently found this site and it's really a great tool for a guitarist. I noticed that some of these postings are pretty old and it looks like bodom isn't doing new lessons anymore. But, if you still check this site out I hope you do more lessons in the future. You really make it very simple and clear to understand.
07
02.19.2009 |