Chord Inversion Calculator
A chord inversion calculator helps musicians determine different ways to play a chord by rearranging its notes.
Inversions maintain the same chord quality but change the bass note, creating variations in sound and voicing.
This tool is particularly useful for pianists, composers, and arrangers looking to add variety to their chord progressions.
For example, consider a C major triad (C-E-G). A chord inversion calculator would show:
- Root position: C-E-G
- First inversion: E-G-C
- Second inversion: G-C-E
Chord Inversion Calculation Chart
| Chord Type | Root Position | First Inversion | Second Inversion | Third Inversion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major Triad | 1 – 3 – 5 | 3 – 5 – 1 | 5 – 1 – 3 | N/A |
| Minor Triad | 1 – ♭3 – 5 | ♭3 – 5 – 1 | 5 – 1 – ♭3 | N/A |
| Dominant 7th | 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 | 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 1 | 5 – ♭7 – 1 – 3 | ♭7 – 1 – 3 – 5 |
Chord Inversion Formula
The chord inversion formula involves rearranging the notes of a chord so that a note other than the root is in the bass. For triads:
- Root position: 1 – 3 – 5
- First inversion: 3 – 5 – 1
- Second inversion: 5 – 1 – 3
Example using G major (G-B-D):
Root position: G-B-D
First inversion: B-D-G
Second inversion: D-G-B
What are chord inversion symbols?
Chord inversion symbols are shorthand notations used in music theory to indicate which note of a chord is in the bass. These symbols are typically written as superscript numbers after the chord name.
For triads:
- Root position: No symbol (or sometimes “5” for clarity)
- First inversion: “6”
- Second inversion: “6/4”
Example: C major triad inversions
C (root position): C
C first inversion: C6 or C/E
C second inversion: C6/4 or C/G
What is seventh chord inversion?
Seventh chord inversions involve rearranging the four notes of a seventh chord. Unlike triads, seventh chords have three inversions:
- Root position: 1 – 3 – 5 – 7
- First inversion: 3 – 5 – 7 – 1
- Second inversion: 5 – 7 – 1 – 3
- Third inversion: 7 – 1 – 3 – 5
Example using G7 (G-B-D-F):
- Root position: G-B-D-F
- First inversion: B-D-F-G
- Second inversion: D-F-G-B
- Third inversion: F-G-B-D
Seventh chord inversion symbols:
- Root position: “7”
- First inversion: “6/5”
- Second inversion: “4/3”
- Third inversion: “4/2”
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