Chord Inversion Calculator
Calculate chord inversions with slash chord and figured bass notation
Calculate Chord Inversion
Select the root note of the chord
Choose the chord quality
Select which note goes in the bass
Chord Inversion Results
Chord Notes
Bass note highlighted in purple
Chord Notations
Original Chord: C Major
Root Position Notes: C - E - G
Inversion: Root Position
Bass Note: C
Inversion Analysis
Example Chord Inversions
C Major Triad
Root Position: C - E - G
Notation: C
First Inversion: E - G - C
Notation: C/E
Second Inversion: G - C - E
Notation: C/G
G Dominant 7th
Root: G - B - D - F
Notation: G7
1st Inv: B - D - F - G
Notation: G7/B
2nd Inv: D - F - G - B
Notation: G7/D
3rd Inv: F - G - B - D
Notation: G7/F
Notation Guide
Slash Chords
C/E: C major with E in bass
Am7/G: A minor 7th with G in bass
Dm/F: D minor with F in bass
Figured Bass
6: First inversion (6th above bass)
6/4: Second inversion
7: Seventh chord, root position
6/5: Seventh chord, first inversion
Inversion Tips
Root position is most stable
First inversion creates smooth bass movement
Second inversion often needs resolution
Inversions help voice leading
Use inversions to avoid parallel motion
Understanding Chord Inversions
What is a Chord Inversion?
A chord inversion describes which note of a chord is written as the lowest (bass note). Instead of the root note being in the bass, any chord tone can serve as the bass note, creating different harmonic colors and voice leading possibilities.
Types of Inversions
- •Root Position: Root note in bass (original form)
- •First Inversion: Third of the chord in bass
- •Second Inversion: Fifth of the chord in bass
- •Third Inversion: Seventh of the chord in bass (7th chords only)
Why Use Inversions?
- •Create smoother bass lines
- •Improve voice leading between chords
- •Add harmonic interest and color
- •Avoid parallel motion in part writing
- •Create different degrees of stability
Tip: Second inversions (6/4 chords) are often unstable and typically resolve to more stable positions in classical harmony.
Notation Systems
Slash Chord Notation
Modern notation that shows the chord name followed by a slash and the bass note.
- C/E = C major with E in bass
- Am7/C = A minor 7th with C in bass
- F/A = F major with A in bass
Figured Bass Notation
Classical notation using numbers to indicate intervals above the bass note.
- 6 = First inversion triad
- 6/4 = Second inversion triad
- 7 = Seventh chord, root position
- 6/5 = Seventh chord, first inversion