In this music lesson you will learn what chord inversions are and why you should use them.
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What are Chord Inversions
Chords are the harmonious components of all songs. They evoke emotion and provide the basis for creating melodies. To know how to build chords and it is essential to understand how they interact with each other as they learn basic theory of music.
Chord inversions they are changes of the same chord. The more notes a chord has, the more inversions possible. Create an inversion by transposing notes into chords into different octaves. Also, the lowest bass note will set the investment.
Chord inversions promote variety, excitement, and smoother transitions between chords in progress.
The inversions also open up new possibilities for progression and catchy chord melodies.
Understand what is a triad it is fundamental to all chord theory. Triads are three-note chords that include the root, third, and fifth notes on a scale.
For example, a Minor triad It has the notes:
- A – The root note
- C – The third note in the minor scale A above the root note
- E – The fifth note in the A scale above the root note
Triads are also the basis for more complex chords. For example, placing a third note on top of a triad creates the seventh chord. Continue to add notes in the interval of a third to build the ninth, eleventh and thirteenth chords.
Triads Inversions
Once you are familiar with the different chords, the next step in music theory is the chord inversions that can be learned.
Triad chords have three possible positions and these positions can be called chord inversions. The lowest note, the bass, will play a decisive role in naming the chord or inversion.
Root Position
Chord in the root position where the lowest note is its root note (root, third, fifth).
The base of the note of any chord is the note corresponding to the name of the chord. For example, the root of the minor chord A is A.
Thus, a minor chord A is in the root position if A. is the lowest note.
Written: Am
First Inversion
The first inversion intersects the octave root note upwards. The third is now the bass note of the chord. For example, a minor chord A is a first inversion with the notes C, E, A (third, fifth, root).
Written: Am/C
Second Inversion
The second inversion takes the first inversion and translates the note from a bass of eight upwards.
The fifth is now the lowest note of the chord. For example, the second inversion contains a minor chord A with the notes E, A, C (fifth, root, third).
Written: Am/E
Tetrads Inversions
Third Inversion
The third inversion occurs when the seventh of the chord is in the bass. For this the chord has to be of 4 notes, like the tetrad chords.
G, A, C, E (seventh, fifth, root, third).Written: Am7/G
Hybrid Chords – Inverted Extension Chords
There are no more inversions beyond the third inversion of the tetrad chord.
This is because when the bass occupies a note that is not part of the chord, (such as extensions like the ninth, 11, 13) the sound of the chord changes completely because a new chord is generated.
These types of chords are called hybrid chords. The bass is occupying a tension of the chord not a note of the chord.
How to use chord inversions?
Chord inversions minimize the movement from one chord to another. Rearranging the order of the notes into a chord creates smoother transitions.
It makes it easier to play chord progressions on piano or keyboard if you move shorter distances.
Also, playing progress using only chords in the root position becomes complicated and disconnected.
Reorganizing the order of the notes does not affect whether a chord is large or small. Instead, inversions create harmonic variations of the same chord.
Also, chord inversions improve quality of chord progression. For example, chord inversions add interest, excitement and complexity that is nice.
They also evoke a feeling of excitement, tension and relaxation that keeps listeners engaged.
Leading Voices
Now that you know the different chord inversions, apply them to advance the voices in different chord progression.
Leading voices is the linear movement between melodic lines or chords to create one musical idea. The concept also allows musicians and speakers to take advantage of harmonic relationships between notes.
In addition, voice conduction focuses on the smooth movement of notes from one chord to the next using common pitches.
The concept minimizes the vertical and horizontal transition between notes in a chord or melody progression. It sounds more natural, smoother and more enjoyable than moving shorter distances.
They also make it easy to play chord progressions on piano or keyboard. Melodic lines or voices that jump across wide intervals are sound or uncomfortable.
Without chord inversions, the music would not be as strong and vibrant. Cord inversions add a new dimension to basic and elongated chords.
They also keep the music fresh and interesting.