Chord Inversion

1^st Inversion

The 3^rd note of a chord is the bass note.

Notation

2^nd Inversion

The 5^th note of a chord is the bass note.

Notation

Notation

The small numbers attached just after a chord name means intervals between the bottom note and other chord tone. For example, In C6, 6 means the interval between the bass note E and the second note C in a basic voicing (from the bottom: E, G, C), but even the voicing order is not the basic way, the notation is same. It means X6 (or X6/3) always means a 1st inversion.

Function

• Passing: It makes smooth bass line.
• Stationary: It is a kind of pedal point.
• Cadential: It behaves like dominant(V).