In our last music theory series post we talked about simple triads as both a chord and as a broken chord also known as an arpeggio. Today we are going to look at those simple triad chords and their inversions.
First lets look at a C Major triad in root position on the treble staff. Bottom note is C, the middle note is E and the upper note is G. Also known as the first, the third, the fifth degree of the scale. First as a broken chord and then as a stacked chord…
Now on the piano keyboard…
Now as first inversion on the treble staff…
Now on the piano keyboard…
As you can see in first inversion, the note E is in the bottom, the G is in the same position but the C is in the top of the triad.
Now let’s take a look at second inversion…
As you can see, second inversion has the note G on the bottom followed by C then E.
By following these patterns you can find inversions of all the triads up and down the keyboard in every key within the circle of fifths.
Until next time practice turning basic triads into their first and second inversions!