Building Chords: Chord Inversions - TWO MINUTE MUSIC THEORY #42

The fourth installment in our Building Chords Series. Today we look at what happens when the chord isn't stacked like it normally is. When notes aren't in their normal position, we call that an inversion.

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Hey, I'm Jesse, a composer and music theorist. I believe that Music Theory is a practical and valuable artform for all musicians throughout their lifetime. On this channel, I am making videos to help all musicians grow in their understanding of music theory and how it can make them a better musician.

[gregoryhaddock]

The snowman analogy was actually pretty good, imo 😁

[LorenzoGallo]

Best explanation I could find so far, thanks man!

[luisambriz]

You deserve many manyyy more peopleee, this format you do is amazing and so easy to understand, thank very much:)

[Lucatheclimber]

Thank you a lot. Now I finally understand this and in 2 minutes. Amazing;)

[kenmare]

Excellent lesson. Clearest video explanation of chord inversion I have seen on YouTube, And I've watched a few.

[TrevorJoren]

Thanks for the tips - simple and funny. I'll keep watching!

[joellleoj]

Hey, I appreciate your channel and like the long-format videos you've been making recently. I'm a noob to music theory, so your vids are very helpful. Regarding inversions: is there standard language to distinguish the different voicings of a chord with the same note in the lowest position? I've been trying to figure out for myself what the basic chords and their inversions are on a guitar tuned in perfect 5ths (CGDAEB) or a mandolin (with standard tuning in 5ths, GDAE). It turns out that, say, when trying to form a major triad on three strings like Cmaj = [CEG], it's actually easier to form [CGE] in "root" position. Similarly, rather than the simple "flip once" 1st inversion [EGC], the form [ECG] is easier to form. And rather than a simple "flip twice" 2nd inversion [GCE], the form [GEC] is simpler to form. I was thinking of maybe using some sort of figured bass notation. Say, if the standard Cmaj = [CEG] could be indicated as Cmaj (5 3), 1st inversion [EGC] as Cmaj (6 3) or Cmaj (6), and 2nd inversion [GCE] as Cmaj (6 4) -- then maybe [CGE] could be Cmaj (5 10), [ECG] = Cmaj (6 10), and [GEC] = Cmaj (6 11). I'd like a way to distinguish the voicings because I feel like I should keep track of whether the "C" note in Cmaj is the bottom, middle, or top pitch. Thanks.

[fon]

Very well explained, thanks for the vid

[PaperClipFlip]

IT FINALLY MAKES SENSE!!! Thank you so much for this, it was a lifesaver.

[AmandaKaymusic]

Great clip. How do inversions work on a guitar? Basic chords on chordal stringed instruments are in a different order of notes to start with yet I still hear people calling some chords inversions to be spelt correctly. I usually work off the bass note being the root to describe the chord though I have had fun working out some second inversion chords with a 9th and no 5th to listen to odd chord voicings to compose. It sounds pretty clumsy to call them that though.

[EmmiSharp]

I have an entrance exam tomorrow and this is saving my tail

[odusheba]

you're the God of analogies
top video. short but fully explains the topic
like and subscription from me

[ironfist]

Is 3R5 an inversion and if so is it still first inversion

[MADKOALA]

Awesome man, kinda technical tho, came here from your video on melodies =)

[hiimzackjones]

Okay. But I tend to play a major 7th like 1573. Putting the third on top. Is there a name for this inversion?

[Kryso_]

actually, the snowman analogy was pretty solid

[epicon]

I would have liked to see these visually on a piano keys too.

[joeh]

But why? Why would we want to invert chords?

[mariondierken]

ich bin dumm wie Sch**** und muss damit Musik lernen verstehe kein Wort