Chord Inversion Symbols
Root, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Inversions in Notation
Your first step in learning chord inversion symbols is to take a look at triads.
In this lesson, we will take a look at 7th chords in Root position and then 1st, 2nd, and 3rd inversions. The symobls use the same intervallic counting scheme, yet we end up with a new set of descriptors.
Again, be sure not to confuse this numbering system with other types chord numbering systems (e.g. chord symbols).
Quick review: this system utilizes numbers to demonstrate a type of interval from the bass note of a chord. When we 'count' intervals, we 'count' the bottom tone as one. Then, we 'count' up to each next line or space, to the next tone. We always start counting from the bottom tone (bottom tone to middle tone, then bottom tone to next, then bottom to top for 7ths).
For 7ths, we get 4 sets of numbers (7 - 6/5 - 4/3 - 2).
Download Chord Inversions pdf
7ths Chords
We begin with a root position chord. Root position = not inverted (the root of the chord) is in the bass. For root position, we get intervals 3, 5 , & 7 (how chords are built - in 3rds, every other tone). We shorten this to just a 7 (doesn't tell us what kind of 7 this - depends on the type of chord being built - Major 7, Dominant 7, or minor7, etc.).
First inversion means the 3rd is in the bass. When we move the root to the top, we create an intervallic scheme of 3, 5, 6 and shorten this to 6/5.
Second inversion means the 5th is in the bass. We move the 3rd to the top which creates the intervals 6, 4, 3, and shorten this to 4/3.
Third inversion means the 7th is in the bass. We move the 5th to the top, and we have intervals of 6, 4, 2, and shorten this to just 2 (or 4/2).
To finish this process off, we move the 7th to the top of the chord and this puts the chord back in root position an octave higher than where we started.
Chord Inversion Symbols Helper
This shows an easy way to remember the chord inversion symbols. You can see the descending intervallic scheme.
