Chords
Chord inversion
A chord inversion is a chord whose lowest note is not the root: the third in the bass (first inversion), the fifth (second inversion) or the seventh (third inversion).
What is a chord inversion?
An inversion is defined only by the lowest note. Take a C major triad, C E G:
| Position | Bass | Notes (low to high) | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | C (1) | C E G | C |
| 1st inversion | E (3) | E G C | C/E |
| 2nd inversion | G (5) | G C E | C/G |
A seventh chord has one more: with the seventh in the bass, G7 becomes G7/F (3rd inversion). The order of the notes above the bass does not change the name of the inversion. The slash notation is the same one used for slash chords.
C major inversions on the top three strings
On the G, B and high E strings, the same triad shows up three times as you move up the neck:
- Root position: frets 5-5-3 (C on the G string, E on the B string, G on the high E).
- 1st inversion: frets 9-8-8 (E, G, C).
- 2nd inversion: frets 12-13-12 (G, C, E), or open at the nut: 0-1-0.
Remember where the root sits in each shape: G string in root position, high E in 1st inversion, B string in 2nd inversion. That landmark is what lets you move each shape to any key.
Exercise: C, F and G without leaving the position
Instead of jumping from one chord shape to another, pick the closest inversions. Around the 5th fret, on the top three strings:
- C, root position: 5-5-3 (C E G)
- F, 2nd inversion: 5-6-5 (C F A)
- G, 1st inversion: 4-3-3 (B D G)
- C, root position: 5-5-3
The C on the G string stays put from C to F, and no note moves more than three frets. That is the core of voice leading: inversions let you connect chords by the shortest path.
Why use inversions?
- To build a bass line: C, G/B, Am walks the bass down C, B, A instead of jumping.
- To set up a resolution: G7/F (xx3433) resolves naturally to C/E (xx2010), with the seventh F falling to E.
- To leave room: in a band, high inversions stay out of the bass player's way.
- To change the colour: 2nd inversion sounds less stable, 1st inversion lighter than root position.
Key takeaways
- The inversion depends only on the lowest note.
- Triads have 3 positions, seventh chords have 4.
- On G-B-E, C major = 5-5-3, 9-8-8, 12-13-12.
- To cover every string set, the guitar triads tool shows each inversion on each group of strings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an inversion and a voicing?
An inversion only tells you the lowest note. A voicing describes the whole layout: octaves, note order, doubled notes, omitted notes. Two different voicings can share the same inversion.
How are inversions written on a chord chart?
In pop and jazz, with a slash: C/E for the first inversion of C, C/G for the second. In classical harmony, figured bass numbers are used instead (6 for first inversion, 6/4 for second).
Can a song end on a second inversion chord?
Rarely. With the fifth in the bass, the chord sounds suspended, like a step on the way. You mostly hear it right before a dominant (C/G, then G7, then C) or as a passing chord.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.