Recognising Inversions
Listen to the chord and identify its position: root, 1st inversion, 2nd inversion or 3rd inversion.
Develop the ability to recognise which note in the chord is the bass note.
Guide to Inversions
Root Position
The fundamental note is in the bass. The sound is steady and well-defined.
Example: C-E-G (C major root)
1st Inversion
The third one is the bass. It has a more open, less stable sound.
Example: E-G-C (C major, 1st inversion)
2nd Inversion
The fifth is in the bass. The sound is unstable and needs to be resolved.
Example: G-C-E (C major, 2nd inversion)
3rd Inversion
For seventh chords only. The seventh is in the bass.
Example: B-C-E-G (Cmaj7, inversion of the 3rd)