Ever wondered how rearranging notes can transform a chord’s character? Welcome to the world of inverted chords! These musical chameleons can turn a simple progression into something extraordinary.
In this article, we will explore how chord inversions can add depth and variety to your music. Let’s begin!
What is a Chord Inversion?
An inverted chord is a chord where the lowest note isn’t the root. This rearrangement creates a new sound while still maintaining the chord’s identity.
Here’s how it works:
- The root note moves to a higher position
- Another chord tone takes its place in the bass
- This change impacts the chord’s character and function
This simple change can make your music sound smoother and more interesting. Think of it as giving your music a little extra pizazz!
Types of Chord Inversions
Chord inversions add depth and variety to your music. Let’s explore the three types of chord inversions:
- 1st inversion chords: The third of the chord is in the bass.
- 2nd inversion chords: The fifth of the chord is in the bass.
- 3rd inversion chords: The seventh of the chord is in the bass (only applies to seventh chords).
Listen to each chord below:
How Inverted Chords are Notated
Inverted chords are simple in theory, but their notation can be a bit tricky. Plus, various musical traditions have developed their own systems for notating inverted chords.
Let’s break down each method to help you understand and recognize them in sheet music and chord charts.
Figured Bass
Classical musicians use a system called “figured bass” to notate chord inversions.
- 1st inversion: Write ⁶ beside the Roman numeral (e.g., I⁶)
- 2nd inversion: Write ⁶₄ (e.g., I⁶₄)
- 3rd inversion: Write ⁴₂ (e.g., I⁴₂) — remember, this only applies to seventh chords.
Examples and pronunciations:
- I⁶ (“one six”)
- V⁶₄ (“five six four”)
- V⁴₂ (“five four two”)
To learn more about figured bass notation, check out this detailed article.
Slash Chords
Slash chords are another way to notate inverted chords, often used by jazz musicians. They’re written like this: Chord Name / Bass Note
For a C major chord:
- Root position: C (C E G)
- First inversion: C/E (E C G)
- Second inversion: C/G (G C E)
For seventh chords, we can have a third inversion:
- C⁷/B (B C E G)
We pronounce these as “C,” “C over E,” “C over G,” and “C seven over B,” respectively.
Tip: In slash chord notation, the note after the slash is always the lowest note (bass) in the chord. This helps you quickly identify the inversion being used.
Roman Numerals
A less common system uses lowercase letters next to Roman numerals or chord letters to indicate inversions:
- 1st inversions: “Vb” or “V(b)“
- 2nd inversions: “Vc” or “V(c)“
- 3rd inversions: “iiid” or “iii(d)“
However, this system is less favored than figured bass and slash chord notation since the “b” for first inversion can be confused with the ♭ symbol for flats.
How and Why Should I Use Inverted Chords?
Chord inversions are a powerful tool in a composer’s toolkit. Here’s why songwriters love to use them:
- To add tension or forward motion to a chord progression
- To craft smooth bass lines and harmonies
Let’s explore how these inversions can transform your music.
Create Tension with Inverted Chords
Chord inversions have a less stable sound compared to root-position chords. This is because they lack the highly stable interval of a fifth between the bass and the other notes of the triad. As a result, inverted chords create a sense of restlessness, as if the music is about to shift to a new place.
Inverted Chords in “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
This feeling of movement (or tension) can add freshness to a chord that’s been playing for a while. Let’s look at an example from the song “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran.
The chord progression is I→I⁶→IV→V.
Notice how the I⁶ creates a subtle shift, as if we’re taking a small step towards another chord? This effect comes from both the unstable intervals above the bass and the movement of the bass itself from the root to the third.
Inverted Chords in “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John
Chord inversions can also create a unique sense of movement in a progression. Take a listen to the intro of “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John:
The chord progression of this intro is I → IV⁶₄
Elton John creates a unique sonic effect by maintaining the same bass note throughout these chords. This approach introduces a subtle sense of unease or anticipation, as our ears expect the bass to move, but it remains stationary. The result is a captivating musical tension that engages the listener more deeply.
Craft Smooth Bass Lines and Harmonies with Inverted Chords
Chord inversions also enable smooth bass line movement, creating a more pleasing sound than constant jumps.
Let’s revisit the “Thinking Out Loud” example from above. Here, the notes of the bass line progress from D → F♯ → G → A. This smooth movement mirrors the song’s romantic sentiment.
However, smooth bass lines aren’t exclusive to romantic songs. They’re prevalent across various genres because they’re generally more satisfying than constantly jumping bass lines.
Inverted Chords in “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin
A prime example is the intro of “Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin.
The chord progression is i → ♭III+maj⁷(⁶₄) → ♭III⁶ → IV⁶ → VImaj⁷
The intro’s bass line descends chromatically: A → G♯ → G → F♯ → F. This creates a satisfying bass melody that complements the beautiful arpeggios and upper melody.
Inverted Chords in “Something” by The Beatles
Another excellent example of chord inversions creating a well-crafted bass line is in the last three chords of the chorus (plus the first chord of the verse) of “Something” by The Beatles.
The chord progression here is IV → ♭III → V⁶₄ → I
While George Harrison wrote the song, Paul McCartney crafted the bass line. His choice to create a descending bass line leading into the verse’s first chord is particularly noteworthy. This approach not only enhances the musical texture but also cleverly integrates the unexpected E♭ chord within the Key of C Major.
The smooth descent from F to E♭ to D in the bass makes the turnaround feel natural and fluid, despite the E♭ chord being outside the key. This seamless integration demonstrates how well-crafted inversions and thoughtful bass line composition can create cohesive and pleasing chord progressions, even when incorporating non-diatonic chords.
Classic Chord Inversions in Popular Music
While all chords can be inverted, some inversions have been used more frequently throughout music history. Two notable examples are the I⁶₄ in major keys and the iv⁶ in minor keys. These inversions are popular due to the smooth voice leading they provide in cadences.
The Cadential 64
The I⁶₄ is often used in a cadential movement called the “cadential 64.” This progression follows the pattern: I⁶₄ → V → I
This cadence is effective because the I⁶₄ and V share the same bass note. When moving from the former to the latter, it creates the effect of a two-note suspension resolving to the V chord.
The cadential 6-4 has been widely used in both classical and pop music. A great example can be found in Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love”:
The Phrygian Half-Cadence
Another famous cadence utilizing an inverted chord is the “Phrygian half-cadence.” This progression is common in minor keys and follows the pattern: iv⁶ → V
It’s called a “half-cadence” because it ends on the V chord instead of resolving to I. The “Phrygian” name comes from the characteristic half-step movement in the bass, similar to the half-step between the first and second scale degrees in the Phrygian mode. (Note that this cadence isn’t strictly Phrygian and can be used in any minor mode containing a lowered sixth scale degree)
A contemporary example of this cadence can be found in the pre-chorus of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” by Lin-Manuel Miranda from the movie Encanto:
The chord progression here is: i → iv⁶ → V
The lowered 6th scale degree in the bass creates tension as it’s just a semitone above the stable 5th scale degree. When we finally get the resolution in the bass, it provides a satisfying sense of relief.
Conclusion
Chord inversions are a powerful tool in a musician’s toolkit. They offer a way to add nuance and depth to compositions, creating movement and interest without changing the fundamental chord structure. By altering the bass note, composers can subtly shift the emotional tone of a piece, creating tension or resolution as needed.
Ready to learn more about chord inversions? Try using Hookpad to experiment with chord inversions in your own compositions. For inspiration, explore the TheoryTab database to see how different genres and artists use inversions to create their unique sounds. Happy songwriting!
