First and Second Inversions

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Any other chord that has the same-named notes as a root position chord is considered to be essentially the same chord in a different position. In other words, all chords that have only D naturals, F sharps, and A naturals, are considered D major chords.

If the third of the chord is the lowest note, the chord is in first inversion. If the fifth of the chord is the lowest note, the chord is in secondinversion. A chord in second inversion may also be called a six-four chord, because the intervals (Section 4.5) in it are a sixth and a fourth.

Figure 5.3 Three C major chords

It does not matter how far the higher notes are from the lowest note, or how many of each note there are (at different octaves or on different instruments); all that matters is which note is lowest. (In fact, one of the notes may not even be written, only implied by the context of the chord in a piece of music. A practiced ear will tell you what the missing note is; we won't worry about that here.) To decide what position a chord is in, move the notes to make a stack of thirds and identify the root.

Example

Figure 5.4 Notes are G, D, and B. Rewrite as thirds

Example

Figure 5.5 Notes are a G, 2 C's, and an E

Exercise 5.2:

Rewrite each chord in root position, and name the original position of the chord.

Figure 5.6 Exercise 5.2