Chord Inversions

Different bass notes, voice leading

20 min

What is an Inversion?

A chord inversion puts a note other than the root in the bass. A C major chord has three notes: C, E, G.

Root position: C in the bass (C-E-G) — the standard version
First inversion: E in the bass (E-G-C) — written C/E
Second inversion: G in the bass (G-C-E) — written C/G

The slash notation (C/E) means "C chord with E in the bass." The chord is still C major — just with a different lowest note.

Why Use Inversions?

Inversions enable smooth bass lines. Instead of the bass jumping around between root notes, inversions let you create stepwise movement:

C → C/E → F → F/A → G

The bass line walks: C → E → F → A → G — much smoother than C → F → G.

This is called voice leading — keeping individual voices (especially the bass) moving by small steps rather than big jumps. It makes chord progressions sound more sophisticated and connected.

Tab Examples

C (root):   C/E (1st):  C/G (2nd):
e|--0--|   e|--0--|   e|--0--|
B|--1--|   B|--1--|   B|--1--|
G|--0--|   G|--0--|   G|--0--|
D|--2--|   D|--2--|   D|--2--|
A|--3--|   A|-----|   A|-----|
E|-----|   E|--0--|   E|--3--|

Same chord, different bass note. Listen to how the character shifts.

Tips

Slash chords (like C/G) mean "chord/bass note"

Use inversions to create smooth bass lines between chords

Walking bass lines using inversions sound professional and polished

You don't need to learn new shapes — just change which string is lowest

Practice Exercises

Play C, C/E, and C/G — hear how the same chord changes character

Create a walking bass line: C → C/E → F → F/A → G

Find inversions of G, D, and Am

Play a familiar progression using inversions to create a smooth bass line

What is an Inversion?

Why Use Inversions?

Tab Examples

C and its inversions

Tips

Practice Exercises

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