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Triads and InversionsTransforming Root Position Triads into Inverted Triads

The TriadThe Triad is a specific type of chord involving three notes that are stacked in thirds.

The three notes, notated on the staff within a single octave, are found in line, line, line or space, space, space combinations.

Members of the TriadThe members of triads, from the lowest to highest note (when notated within an octave like this), are named:

The RootThe ThirdandThe Fifth

FifthThirdRoot

Members of the TriadThe root is the note upon which the triad is built and for which it is named. For instance, we can say that this triad, C major, is built upon the root C.

Root

Members of the TriadThe third and fifth refer to the interval, or distance, from the root when the triad is presented within an octave like this.

3rd5thFifthThird

InversionsJust as a gymnast inverts himself/herself when performing a somersault, triads and chords may also be inverted.

InversionsA triad can be inverted by rearranging the order of its three members.

Triads may be arranged in three unique forms:

root positionfirst inversionsecond inversion

Root Position

First InversionSecond InversionRoot Position

InversionsIf you want to invert a triad in an ascending fashion, you can raise the bottom note of the chord up an octave so that it becomes the top note, creating a new type of inversion each time.

Root PositionFirst InversionSecond InversionRoot Position

InversionsIf you want to invert a triad in a descending fashion, you can lower the top note of the chord down an octave so that it becomes the bottom note, creating a new type of inversion each time.

Root Position

First InversionSecond InversionRoot Position

Root PositionA chord is in root position when the root is the lowest note.

The lowest note of a chord is referred to as the bass.

In root position, the root is also the bass because it is the lowest note of the chord.

Root

Bass

Root Position

First InversionA chord is in first inversion when the chordal third is found in the bass.

Root PositionFirst InversionFifthThirdRoot

RootFifthThird

Bass

Second InversionA chord is in second inversion when the chordal fifth is found in the bass.

FifthThirdRootRoot

FifthThird

ThirdRoot

FifthBassRoot Position

First InversionSecond Inversion

Inversions with seventh chordsSeventh chords can also be inverted.

Notice how a third inversion is now possible.

Root Position

First Inversion

Second InversionThird InversionRoot Position