From the course: Theory for the Contemporary Guitarist

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Inverting triads

Inverting triads

From the course: Theory for the Contemporary Guitarist

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Inverting triads

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- The triads we just looked at, were all in root position, meaning the lowest note in the chord was the root. Like intervals, each of the four types of triads we've gone, over major, minor, diminished, and augmented, can be inverted. The lowest note of an inverted triad is a degree of the chord other than the root. Because there are three notes in a triad, there are only three basic ways to voice or arrange a triad. If we take a look at the C major triad in root position, C is the lowest note in the chord voicing. (guitar music) If we take those same notes, but make E the lowest note, we say that this is a first inversion C major chord because the third of the chord is the lowest note. (guitar music) Now if we take the same notes and put G in the base, we have a second inversion C major triad, because the fifth of the chord G is the lowest note in the voicing. (guitar music)

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