Theory Lesson - Chord Inversions

It is now time to have some fun playing with our chords by using a technique known as chord inversions. Learning chord inversions will help you to play the piano by ear or to play the piano using fake books. In this piano lesson we will learn our chord inversions.

A block chord, or a chord played in root position, is built on the 1st, 3rd, and the 5th tone of a scale. In C major this would be C-E-G. To do an inversion you simply move the lowest note of your chord up an octave (octave=8 notes).

C-E-G = Root

E-G-C = 1st inversion

G-C-E = 2nd inversion

This can be done to any chord you know! In this piano lesson we are only dealing with major and minor triads (triad = 3 note chord) so they are only inverted three ways: root, first, and second.

If a chord has three notes then it can be played three ways. If a chord has four notes then it can be played four ways. The number of tones or notes in a chord equal how many ways you can play them. It's really that simple.