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Trainers / Chords

Triad Inversions

Identify which chord member is in the bass.

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Listen, compare, then practise

Root position has the root in the bass. First inversion has the third, and second inversion has the fifth. The root identity stays fixed when notes are raised an octave.

A · Worked example

Root position

Sounding pitches: C#4 · F4 · G#4

Find the lowest sounding pitch, then relate it to the chord root. The bass can be the root, third, or fifth.

Root position: root C#4, bass C#4; sounding notes C#4, F4, G#4. The root stays the same when the voicing changes.

B · Compare the difference

First inversion

Sounding pitches: F4 · G#4 · C#5

The labeled voicings retain their chord identity while changing the lowest member. Follow the bass rather than the top note.

First inversion: root C#4, bass F4; sounding notes F4, G#4, C#5. The root stays the same when the voicing changes.

For aural examples, sounding pitch names are a listening reference. Written-note exercises preserve the displayed spelling.

Check the idea: Root, third, and fifth in the bass correspond to root position, first inversion, and second inversion.

1 · Guided practice

After choosing an inversion, read the root and bass in the explanation and name which chord member is lowest.

2 · Independent practice

Identify root position, first inversion, and second inversion across changing roots. The challenge level may use minor triads.

3 · New-question check

Use fresh voicings to check the root/bass relationship without memorizing one stack of pitches.

Each session starts with two guided questions, then your chosen practice set, followed by two new questions at a different tempo. First answers, same-question retries, and the final check have separate results.

Begin this lesson

Choose your practice

Beginner

90 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · With guidance

Root position, First inversion, Second inversion

Practice this level

Developing

95 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints

Root position, First inversion, Second inversion

Practice this level

Challenge

100 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints

Root position, First inversion, Second inversion

Practice this level

If this feels difficult

  • The bass is always called the root. Rebuild a triad from its root before rearranging it. Major or Minor Triad
  • The reference root is forgotten. Use the stated root and quality before hearing the target voicing. Inversions in Context

Practice on paper or with a teacher

The teacher pack includes 10 fixed questions, replay controls, a student sheet, and a separate answer key. The printed key and downloaded JSON use the same questions.

Open printable teacher packDownload teacher pack JSONCustomize a practice link

Download an audio example

Original synthesized audio · A4 = 440 Hz · mono, 48 kHz WAV.

Download example WAV

Related skills

Major or Minor TriadInversions in Context

Musical background

These references explain the underlying definitions. The examples and practice sequences here are generated for Earstep.