GRADE 2

Semester 1: Piano Lessons

CHORD INVERSIONS
Forms of Chord Inversions
What we will cover:
As previously discussed, we already have three
- Chords recap forms of Chord Inversions
- Forms Of inversion
They are:
So far we have looked at the basic introduction to
chords where we looked at Chord Qualities 1. Root position
2. First Inversion
Just to do a quick refresher, remember we have 4 3. Second Inversion
types of chords based on chord quality, namely:
Root Position
1. Major Chords
2. Minor Chords Usually root position is not considered as a form of
3. Augmented Chords inversion but you just take it for what it is
4. Diminished Chords Root position is when the tonic of the chord is the
Before we delve into chord Quantity, let me cover a lowest note within your chord
brief subtopic on Chord Inversions Remember when we create a chord we do a 1 - 3 - 5
At this point, this chord is said to be at its root
Before we go ahead to start defining what Inversions position,
and the available types that are there, there’s some I know you are almost complaining that, “I don’t get
basic refresher that we have to do again the difference though”
In the process of chord construction, there are Just hang in there a second, you will be able to note
specific notes that are designated in forming any a very serious difference.
chord
As a matter of fact, let me illustrate for you what a
A chord will always be formed by a root, some form root position looks like
of third,(whether Major third or minor third), and
some form of fifth, (again does not matter whether Below is C Major Chord – root position
it’s perfect 5th or diminished 5th)
When dealing with chord inversions, all we are
altering is the position of the root or better known as
the tonic.
Another keen thing to note is that the number of
notes in a chord gives birth to the possible number of
chord inversions that can be performed on the
chord
So based on the triads we formed previously (you
can go back to Grade 1 notes and check the meaning
of triads), you realize that basically we have basic
forms of chord inversion

1
 First Inversion
In first inversion, the tonic note is shifted to the next Other formats of Inversions
octave (of course by now you know the meaning of
As a matter of facts, you have noticed that the
octave)
inversions that I have illustrated in the graphics above
So instead of the chord assuming the conventional 1 are only displayed within one octave. Or rather, the
– 3 – 5 the chord will now have the 3 – 5 – 1 format illustrations assume that the piano is played only with
one hand when essentially that is not the case
So to ensure that the normal conventional way is
I guess with this knowledge in mind, you are now
illustrated look at the following graphics;
able to appreciate root position chord inversion
As a matter of fact, let me illustrate for you below
what a First Inversion is; All the illustrations below are still in Root Position

Second Inversion
In Second Inversion, both the tonic and the 3rd are
moved to the next octave respectively
That then makes the chord format to be
Below illustrations are still considered as First Inversion
5–3–1
Look at the illustration below

2
 Below illustrations are still considered as Second Melody is also or mostly referred to as solo.
Inversion
Solo is the musical notes that form the lead of a piece or
a song. We will discuss much about solo and melody lines
in depths even as we continue to undertake this musical
journey

So sometimes the melody of a song is at the tonic note.

At that juncture, you mostly might be required to play in
first inversion at that short interim moment. Though this
is very contextual and might not apply 100% of the time

Chord Inversions is the basic form of Chord Voicings

which we will discuss at great lengths in the course of the
journey too

As you can see, it really does not matter what type of That marks the end of the topic Chord inversions.
inversion you are playing on your right hand
Chord Inversion purely depends on the lowest note
that you are playing
In essence, the bass note which is mostly played with your
pinky left hand pretty much defines the type or form of
Chord Inversion you play.

The need of Chord Inversion

Before we start discussing the essentiality of
Chord inversion, we need to understand some two
very important fingers – both your pinky fingers
Your left pinky finger will always be playing the bass
note

So, the left pinkie finger plays the bass note but the right
pinkie finger plays the melody.