Skip to main content

How to Determine Chord Inversion Numbers

Chord inversion numbers confuse many music students. Remember that inversions are determined by counting the distance between the bass note and the upper notes. In an A6 chord, because the A is on top and the C is in the bass, there is a distance of a sixth between the two notes. This is why we identify an A6 as a first inversion chord. Counting the numbers between the bass note and all of the other notes gives you the total numbering scheme for the chord. Numbers will be left out if they are not necessary to distinguish them from other chords.

Triads


Step 1: Condense the chord into the smallest spacing without changing the bass note. The bass note determines what type of inversion you have. If you move the bass note, you can't tell what the inversion is.

Step 2: Determine whether the root of the chord is in the bass. The root is the note that defines the chord name. For instance, C major has a C as the root. If the root is in the bass, the chord is in root position and is considered a 5/3. Because it is in root position, however, the numbers are not used.

Step 3: Determine whether the 3rd of the chord is in the bass. If the 3rd is in the bass, you have a chord in first inversion. The first inversion numbering scheme is 6/3. However, it is labeled as a 6 because the 3 is unneeded information. Step 4 Determine whether the 5th of the chord is in the bass. If the 5th is in the bass, the chord is in second inversion. The numbers for a chord in second inversion are 6/4.

Seventh Chords


Step 1: Condense the chord into the smallest spacing possible while keeping the bass note in the same location.

Step 2: Determine whether the root of the chord is in the bass. If so, it is a root position seventh chord. The number for this chord is 7/5/3. However, it is spelled as a 7.

Step 3: Determine whether the 3rd of the chord is in the bass. If it is, then you have a first inversion seventh chord. The number system is 6/5/3; however, only 6/5 are used to identify the chord.

Step 4: Determine whether the 5th of the chord is in the bass. If it is, then you have a second inversion triad. The number system for second inversion triads is a 6/4/3. However, as this could be confused with the second inversion triad, only the numbers 4/3 are used to indicate this seventh chord.

Step 5: Determine whether the 7th of the chord is in the bass. This indicates there is a third inversion triad. The 7th in the bass is rare and is spelled 6/4/2. However, to avoid confusion with the second inversion triad, it is written as 4/2.

To put chords in their smallest spacing, arrange them so that no other chord tone could fit between any of the other pitches. Make sure to keep the bass note in the bass.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why Claude Debussy Never Cared About Music Theory

  Claude Debussy was born on August 22, 1862. So, I felt writing a blog post to celebrate would be appropriate. Debussy was a revolutionary composer who challenged the conventions of Western music. He was influenced by the impressionist painters, the exotic sounds of gamelan music, and the symbolist poets. He created a musical language that was expressive, colorful, and atmospheric. One of the most remarkable aspects of Debussy's music is his use of harmony. He did not follow the rules of tonality and functional harmony that dominated the music of his time. Instead, he used modes, scales, chords, and parallel movements that created a sense of ambiguity and fluidity. He also experimented with timbre, texture, rhythm, and form to create musical images that evoked moods and emotions. Debussy's music can inspire us to think outside the box and explore new possibilities in our own compositions. We can learn from his innovative techniques and his artistic vision. We can also apprecia...
Post a Comment
Read more

List of Musical Techniques and Their Meanings

Musical techniques are the building blocks of any basic music training. These techniques allow performers to improve their coordination and develop accuracy through repetitive daily exercises. Musical techniques progressively build upon previously learned techniques. Scales Scales form the basis for other musical techniques. Student may study major and minor scales as well as modern scales, such as the whole-tone and octatonic scales. A scale consists of patterns of half steps and whole steps. These whole steps and half-step arrangements will be different for each scale. Scales are musical techniques that can help a performer to play faster and more accurately, and make learning new pieces easier. Chords Chords require knowledge of major and minor scales. Chords come in several different forms that affect the sound. Triads consist of three notes spaced a third apart and classified as major, minor, augmented and diminished chords. Seventh chords build on triads and have an additional no...
Post a Comment
Read more

Similarities of Classical and Baroque Music

Music has evolved through the centuries and undergone drastic changes. One of the most significant transitions was from the Baroque to the Classical period of music. In this paragraph, I will compare and contrast some of the main features of these two styles, such as ensembles, instrumentation, and counterpoint study. The Baroque and Classical periods of music have many similarities. While the style of music changed drastically, certain key elements remained the same between the two styles. Composers in the Classical period sought to simplify music and create clearly audible musical lines. In contrast, composers from the Baroque period were interested in creating complex and highly ornamented musical lines. The Baroque period occurs from approximately 1600 to 1750, and the Classical period extends from 1750 to 1820. Ensembles Ensembles are groups of musicians that perform together. Both the Baroque and the Classical period had similar types of ensembles, such as operas, orchestras, str...
Post a Comment
Read more