Since seventh chords contain more than three notes, their inversion system must differ from that used with triads.
To locate an inversion of a seventh chord, first count up seven notes in its key and lower each note by one semitone to create the inversion.
Inversion Numbers
Inversion numbers represent the order of tones within a chord’s closed position. For instance, in root position a seventh chord would consist of G-B-D-F; with its first inversion inverted it will contain figures 7/5/3 while subsequent ones could include 6/4/3 etc.
Similar to figured bass symbols used in baroque practice for indicating which harmonies would need to appear above a bass line, these Roman numerals indicate which chord types need to appear above it in modern music theory courses.
The slash symbol is used to denote diatonic triads and, depending on your theorist, chordal seventh chords as well. Musicians using this system can quickly identify what type of chord is present and how it functions within a piece without resorting to accidentals; writing chord progressions faster; as well as composers realizing what chords will complete their piece quickly.
Root Note
Root notes of chords are the lowest-pitched notes, while all other notes of the chord are stacked above this note – for instance, in root position of a G dominant seventh chord, this would consist of G as the bass note with C, E and A above it.
Each 7th chord has a distinct note interval quality that can be determined from its base triad chord qualities; for instance, G dominant seventh chord contains intervals from third to fifth (known as perfect fifth).
When it comes to recognizing inversions of 7th chords, using your ears and practicing is the ideal approach. Unfortunately, recognizing inversions by ear can be tricky since you need the ability to hear differences between note intervals; to create 2nd inversion of G dominant seventh chord you simply take its lowest pitch note (the lowest note) and move it up an octave (12 notes), this forms second inversion of chord.
Intervals
Intervals are musical distances between notes. The most essential intervals include those that share a major scale with the bottom note of the chord, such as unisons, fourths, fifths and octaves. Once familiar with these, any other size interval can be identified by counting its lines and spaces between notes and asking whether its top note belongs to that scale’s major scale; if so, that interval will be considered “perfect”. Otherwise, it may be major or minor or augmented or diminished depending on its size and timing.
Learn to recognize intervals by ear is one of the key skills necessary to studying music theory. Intervals form the building blocks necessary for chord assembly, progression mapping and melodies creation – you should devote some time learning about them before progressing further with music theory studies.
Rearrangement
A seventh chord’s number of inversions depends on its root note and intervals that comprise its notes. Unlike triads, which allow an infinite combination of note order combinations within their chord, only four proper inversions exist within seventh chords.
A seventh chord’s bass note always matches its inversion as indicated by Roman numeral figures; however, its upper notes can be arranged in any manner desired – for instance in first inversion of G major seventh chord it could include G as its bass note with B D# E stacked above it.
Chords may also differ when voiced as triads instead of seventh chords. Triads feature doubled bass notes while seventh chord leading tones remain undoubled; therefore it’s essential that when creating these chords that you check for correct notes and accidentals before proceeding further.