Post on 06-Nov-2015
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Triads and InversionsTransforming Root Position Triads into Inverted Triads
The TriadThe Triad is a specific type of chord involving three notes that are stacked in thirds.
The three notes, notated on the staff within a single octave, are found in line, line, line or space, space, space combinations.
Members of the TriadThe members of triads, from the lowest to highest note (when notated within an octave like this), are named:
The RootThe ThirdandThe Fifth
FifthThirdRoot
Members of the TriadThe root is the note upon which the triad is built and for which it is named. For instance, we can say that this triad, C major, is built upon the root C.
Root
Members of the TriadThe third and fifth refer to the interval, or distance, from the root when the triad is presented within an octave like this.
3rd5thFifthThird
InversionsJust as a gymnast inverts himself/herself when performing a somersault, triads and chords may also be inverted.
InversionsA triad can be inverted by rearranging the order of its three members.
Triads may be arranged in three unique forms:
root positionfirst inversionsecond inversion
Root Position
First InversionSecond InversionRoot Position
InversionsIf you want to invert a triad in an ascending fashion, you can raise the bottom note of the chord up an octave so that it becomes the top note, creating a new type of inversion each time.
Root PositionFirst InversionSecond InversionRoot Position
InversionsIf you want to invert a triad in a descending fashion, you can lower the top note of the chord down an octave so that it becomes the bottom note, creating a new type of inversion each time.
Root Position
First InversionSecond InversionRoot Position
Root PositionA chord is in root position when the root is the lowest note.
The lowest note of a chord is referred to as the bass.
In root position, the root is also the bass because it is the lowest note of the chord.
Root
Bass
Root Position
First InversionA chord is in first inversion when the chordal third is found in the bass.
Root PositionFirst InversionFifthThirdRoot
RootFifthThird
Bass
Second InversionA chord is in second inversion when the chordal fifth is found in the bass.
FifthThirdRootRoot
FifthThird
ThirdRoot
FifthBassRoot Position
First InversionSecond Inversion
Inversions with seventh chordsSeventh chords can also be inverted.
Notice how a third inversion is now possible.
Root Position
First Inversion
Second InversionThird InversionRoot Position