Mandolin Theory – Understanding Chords Inversions

Chords can be inverted by moving the lowest note up an octave. The lowest note after the inversion, i.e. the bass note, determines the name of the inversion.

Take for example the C major chord. As you can read in my detailed article for Chords Theory, the C chord consists of the following triad: C-E-G, thus C is the root, E is the third and G is the fifth.

• If the chord lowest or bass note is the root note, i.e. C, then the chord is in root position.
• If we now move C up an octave, the lowest note becomes E. We call this first inversion and you will see the chord written as C/E, i.e. this is a C chord with E bass note.
• If we additionally move E up an octave, then the lowest note becomes G. We call this second inversion and you will see the chord written C/G, i.e. C chord with G bass note.

Read on, to see this process in detail.

We continue with our example of the C chord (triad), that consists of C-E-G. Remember, the lowest note, called the bass note, determines the name of the inversion.

You can see a C chord written below. How can we tell if this in root position?

Can you see which the lowest note (bass)?

The lowest note in our case is C. See it below:

 

• You notice that in this C chord, the lowest note is C.
• As this is the C chord, you know that the root is C.
• So, the lowest note is the root note! This chord is in root position!

Can you identify the third and fifth?

Now, let’s invert the chord.

Can you see which note is the bass?

It is now E, the chords third. That is why the chord is now called first inversion.

See it below:

Let’s invert the C chord again.

Can you see which note is now the lowest note of the chord?

It is now G, the chords fifth. That is why the chord is now called second inversion.

Let’s invert the C chord once again.

Can you see which note is now the lowest note of the chord?

It is now C, the chords root. That means that the chord is now at root position, but one octave higher.

Use this chart for reference to chords (triads) inversion.

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