Piano Chord Inversions Explained: 6 Things to Know
An inversion sounds like a new chord shape, but it isn't a new chord. Here are the six ideas that make inversions click, each with a keyboard diagram you can open and play.
An inversion changes the bass note, not the chord
Chord identity comes from its notes (root, third, fifth). Inversion is about which of those notes is lowest, the bass. C–E–G, E–G–C and G–C–E are all C major.
Next step: Open C major in the chord finder and play the three versions one after another.
Triads have three positions
Root position: root in the bass. First inversion: the third in the bass. Second inversion: the fifth in the bass. For C major:
Next step: pick any chord in the chord finder. The Inversions section lists all three with diagrams.
Seventh chords add a third inversion
A seventh chord has four notes, so there are four positions. Third inversion puts the seventh in the bass. G7 (G–B–D–F) in third inversion is F–G–B–D:
Next step: Open G7 in the chord finder and step through all four positions.
Slash chord names show the bass
Lead sheets write an inversion as chord/bass: C/E is C major with E in the bass (first inversion), and C/G is second inversion. The letter after the slash is always the lowest note.
Next step: look for slash names under each inversion in the chord finder (for example Am/C).
Inversions keep your hand in one place
Moving from C (C–E–G) to F in root position (F–A–C) means shifting your whole hand. Use second-inversion F instead, C–F–A: the C stays, E moves up a half step to F, and G moves up a whole step to A. Next, G in first inversion is B–D–G: C moves down to B, F down to D, and A down to G, so no note moves more than three half steps. C – F/C – G/B – C fits under one hand position.
Next step: try C, then F/C, then G/B in the chord finder (choose the inversion card and press Play).
Figured bass numbers name inversions too
In classical theory, inversions are often labeled with figured-bass numbers. Triads: root position is 5/3 (usually left blank), first inversion is 6 (or 6/3), second inversion is 6/4. Seventh chords: 7, 6/5, 4/3 and 4/2 for root position through third inversion.
Next step: print the chord chart and practise naming the inversion of each chord you play.
Sources
- “Inversion and Figured Bass,” Open Music Theory 2e (Gotham et al.), LibreTexts
- Chelsey Hamm, “Triads,” Open Music Theory (VIVA Pressbooks)
- “Seventh Chords,” Open Music Theory (VIVA Pressbooks)
- “Figured Bass,” Open Music Theory (VIVA Pressbooks)
- “Standard 5: Triads,” Open Music Theory × CUNY (lead-sheet and slash symbols)