Chords

Chords

root, first and second inversion

Root Position Chord

We know this is a root position chord as the C is on the bottom and it is a C major chord. It also looks like a snowman (see next slide).

Sorry for the bad drawing. You get the idea.

Here is an example of a first inversion chord. We know it is F major however the F is not on the bottom and it doesn't look like a snowman. The second note of the root position chord is A, which is the lowest note on this picture. This is why it is a first inversion chord (think of it like hotel floors - you have ground floor then 1st floor. )

Now we have Second Inversion. The root chord of A minor is A, C + E. In this picture... you can see E is at the bottom of the chord however if it was in root position, it would be the highest note. As it is at the bottom, this makes it second inversion. (It also doesn't look like a snowman)

Let's Practise!

Multiple Choice

What is position of this C major chord?

• Root Position

• 1st Inversion

• 2nd Inversion

Multiple Choice

What is the position of this A minor chord?

• Root Position

• 1st Inversion

• 2nd Inversion

Multiple Choice

What is the position of this D minor chord?

• Root Position

• 1st Inversion

• 2nd Inversion

4 Note Chord + Positions

When you add a note into the bass clef, you use that to determine the position of the chord. The note in the bass clef are all C, this makes each of the chord root position C major.

Here we have a D minor chord with F in the bass. F is the 2nd note in the root position which makes this chord a 1st inversion.

Again, as you can see the note in the bass clef is D, which is the 3rd note of the root position chord, G major. As it is the 3rd note, this makes the chord 2nd Inversion.

Multiple Choice

Practise Q1

What is the position of this A minor chord?

• Root Position

• 1st Inversion

• 2nd Inversion

Multiple Choice

Practise Q2

What is the position of this G major chord?

• Root Position

• 1st Inversion

• 2nd Inversion

Multiple Choice

Practise Q3

What is the position of this C major chord?

• Root Position

• 1st Inversion

• 2nd Inversion

Writing Chords

• When writing chords - you must work out what the chord is using Roman numerals. For example - A G major chord in the key of C major would be the 5th chord (C - 1 , D - 2, E - 3, F - 4, G - 5). This would be written as chord V.

• For root position, you would write only the chord. e.g - Chord V

• For 1st Inversion, you would write the chord with the letter 'b'. e.g - Chord Vb

• For 2nd Inversion, you would use the letter 'c'. e.g - Chord Vc