Add something spicy to your chords and basslines

A typical chord in most popular music consists of 3 notes, the root, 3rd and 5th of the scale. For example, in the key of C a chord or triad would consist of the notes C, E and G. It is important to keep in mind the lowest note (bass note) is the reference note when referring to an inversion. Inversions are a magical way to add some spice, character and tension to typical chords used in music composition.

Below is a list of the possible inversion chords used in music:

• Root position – as explained above this is the default chord of the 1, 3, 5 notes (C, E, G)

• 1st inversion – the 3rd note in the triad becomes the bass note, these chords are useful in descending or ascending sequences. In the Key of C the notes would be 3, 5, 1 (E, G, C).

• 2nd inversion - the 5th note in the triad becomes the bass note, these are less common and have a "loose and unstable” feeling to them. In the Key of C the notes would be 5, 1, 3 (G, C, E).

• There can be 3rd inversions if there are 4 notes in the chord such as a dominant 7th chord, because of their very unstable sound they are usually used as passing notes.

Inversions are sometimes called slash chords, and no they don’t refer to the Guns and Roses guitar player, it’s for how they are sometimes noted in music charts. For example, a C chord 1st inversion would be labelled as such C/E.

Typically, inversions are not played on the guitar as they are difficult to play and don’t sound that good – as a replacement usually the bass guitar in a band will play the inverted bass note.

The one instrument where inversions are easily played and are very effective is the piano. Sometimes piano players even use inversions and voicings with their right hand to make there playing more efficient. Just like on a guitar, a player may choose certain chords over others for specific songs.

Inversions are very powerful compositional tools when creating descending or ascending sequences and musical harmony for a song. They also allow songwriters to extend chord changes and turnarounds as the inverted chord brings a new element and harmony to the song.

Some song examples where inversions are used in songs are “Uptown Girl by Billy Joel where he uses E F#m E/G# A B. The Beach Boys in “God Only knows” uses a few inversions and complex harmony by using D/A Bm F#m F#m7 B E/B Cdim7.

Using inversions in songwriting allows writers to bend the ears of listeners by voice leading and creating tension and resolve in the music they create that ultimately is a recipe for so many of the timeless songs we hear today.

Stay in tune and stay in touch

Kent