Inversions

In every triad there are three different ways they can be structured. This means that the note in the base of the triad will be different depending on the inversion.

Root: 1st (root), 3rd then 5th note of the triad.
1st inversion: 3rd, 5th then 1st (root) note of the triad.
2nd inversion: 5th, 1st (root) then 3rd note of the triad.

If we look at the picture below, the first triad contains notes C, E and G. This is the triad of C major. The root position triad of C major will have C in the base (bottom note), the 1st inversion will have E in the base and the 2nd inversion will have G in the base. The first triad has an E in the base so it is C major 1st inversion.

If we look at the fourth triad in the picture, it has notes C, E and G again so it is also C major but the note in the base is G, so this triad is C major 2nd inversion.

C major triad in root: C E G
C major triad in 1st inversion: E G C
C major triad in 2nd inversion: G C E



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All triads are worked out in the same way:

F major triad in root: F A C
F major triad in 1st inversion: A C F
F major triad in 2nd inversion: C F A

The minor triads are the same:

G minor triad in root: G Bb D
G minor triad in 1st inversion: Bb D G
G minor triad in 2nd inversion: D G Bb


Baxter, Harry and Michael Baxter. The Right Way To Read Music. Tadworth: Right Way, 1993. Print, pp. 66.