How to Use a Chord Inversion Calculator

An G major chord in root position can be played differently by shifting its notes from low to high; such inversions are known as inversions.

This calculator employs chord inversions to find out which notes comprise a given kind and root chord. It accepts various forms of input and strives to interpret them accurately.

First Inversion

Seventh chords differ from triads in that their bass notes can be inverted by shifting them up an octave, effectively becoming the new chord’s tonic note. However, this can be challenging for beginners as its bass notes may resemble its root position chord notes. One way to practice identifying this phenomenon is to begin with root position seventh chords before gradually progressing to more intricate inversions.

Inverted seventh chords are written using figured bass notation, with each bass note having its own column and each interval producing the chord being written down in another. Each note interval quality creates its own chord – these include diminished, minor, major, perfect and augmented chords – each being represented by its bottom number which indicates how close to first note the bass note is when creating each chord, middle number which indicates distance to third note of chord and finally top number representing distance to highest note in chord.

Second Inversion

Contrary to triads, seventh chords may contain any number of inversions; what matters most is which note sits in the bass while upper voice notes may be ordered any way desired.

As shown below, this figure bass displays a C dominant 7th chord in root position with chord symbol 43; thus C is its lowest note in the bass. To identify its root note (C), say all letter names three thirds up from C without adding flats or sharps yet.

Once you’ve identified the root, use the table above to calculate intervals for all other notes in an inversion of a chord inversion. For instance, in the second inversion of a C dominant 7th chord this would be 6/5/3 whereby “1” sits sixth above “5” while “7” lies five fifths below “1”. When completed you can start practicing chord inversions which can come in handy when transitioning from one chord to another.

Third Inversion

Chords made up of more than three notes are slightly different to triads in that there are additional chord inversions; however, this doesn’t make things too complex – just like with triads, as many inversions exist as there are chord tones within an individual chord.

For a three-note chord (a triad), that means three inversions can exist for its root note: first, second and third inversions. For four-note chords (quadratics), that number increases to four possible inversions of its root note.

Inversions are great way to avoid large leaps between notes while adding depth and interest to chord progressions. Practice inverting chords regularly for best results – that way your music will be more interesting for audiences while less tiring for yourself! Good luck with that endeavor! Ricci Adams owns all rights in her compositions. All rights are reserved by Ricci Adams.

Fourth Inversion

Chord inversions allow you to switch around the order of notes within a chord to make it simpler or more engaging to play, making them an essential resource for songwriters, composers and performers who wish to keep their music sounding fresh and lively.

Root of a seventh chord

Just like triads, seventh chords can also be inverted by altering the position of their lowest note (bass). To do this, move it up an octave; this process is known as fourth inversion. When written with a slash (/) and an outlier bass note other than its root note it is called suspended fourth inversion.