Quick Songwriting Tip – Inversions

What is the root note of a C major chord?

C, of course!

What bass note should you use for a C chord?

C!… or E…. Or G?

Come again?

You get a choice. Often you’ll hear C in the bass of a C chord, but that isn’t the only option. An inversion or ’slash’ chord is where you change the bass note. So a C chord could be in…

• The root inversion – C in the bass
• The first inversion – the 3rd, E in the bass
• The second inversion – the 5th, G in the bass
• The third inversion – The 7th, B (or possibly Bb) in the bass.

Here are some other good posts about chord inversions:

• www.guitarator.com
• www.guitar.about.com
• www.musiced.about.com