Chords
What would we call this chord?
From bottom to top, we have;
D G B
D to G is a P4
G to B is a maj 3
This is actually a G major triad. but we’ve started it from its 5th -- D. This is an INVERSION. When you start a chord from its root, we call it ROOT POSITION. When a chord starts from the 3rd, we call it FIRST INVERSION. Starting from the 5th is SECOND INVERSION, and in cases with seventh chords, starting from the 7th is THIRD INVERSION.
Root position
Gmaj; G B D
1st inversion
Gmaj/B; B D G
2nd inversion
Gmaj/D; D G B
Root position
G7; G B D F
1st inversion
G7/B;
B D F G
2nd inversion
G7/D;
D F G B
3rd inversion
G7/F;
F G B D
Inversions allow us the play around with VOICINGS - the way we arrange the notes of a chord. They are mostly used for either alternative chord sounds or active bass movement.
5
1
3
1
3
5
3
5
b7
3
5
b7
1
5
b7
b7
1
5
3
3
