Inversions (Shuffling the Deck)

Up until now, we have stacked chords like snowmen: Root on the bottom, Third in the middle, Fifth on top. But music doesn’t always have to stay in that order.

17.1 Changing the Bass

An Inversion is when you play the notes of a chord, but put a different note in the bass (the bottom).

1. Root Position: C – E – G. (C is on the bottom).
   • Symbol: C
2. 1st Inversion: E – G – C. (The 3rd is on the bottom).
   • Symbol: C/E (Pronounced “C over E”).
   • Sound: Sweeter, less heavy.
3. 2nd Inversion: G – C – E. (The 5th is on the bottom).
   • Symbol: C/G.
   • Sound: Unstable. It sounds like it wants to move.

17.2 Why use Inversions? (Voice Leading)

Inversions allow your hands to move smoothly.

• Without Inversions: To go from C Major to F Major, your hand has to jump a huge distance.
• With Inversions: You can play C (C-E-G) and then move to F in 2nd inversion (C-F-A). You keep the “C” common, and just move your other fingers slightly. This is called Smooth Voice Leading.