Inversions Questions Long
In music theory, a seventh chord is a four-note chord consisting of a triad (a root, third, and fifth) with an added seventh interval above the root. The concept of inversion refers to rearranging the order of the notes within a chord, so that a different note becomes the lowest pitch or the bass note.
In the case of seventh chords, there are three possible inversions: root position, first inversion, and second inversion. However, the concept of third inversion is specific to seventh chords and occurs when the seventh interval becomes the lowest pitch in the chord.
To better understand third inversion, let's consider a C major seventh chord (Cmaj7) as an example. The notes in a Cmaj7 chord are C (root), E (third), G (fifth), and B (seventh). In root position, the Cmaj7 chord is arranged as C-E-G-B, with the root note C as the lowest pitch.
To create the first inversion of Cmaj7, we take the lowest note (C) and move it up an octave. This results in the notes E-G-B-C, with the third note E as the lowest pitch. This inversion is labeled as Cmaj7/E, indicating that E is the bass note.
The second inversion of Cmaj7 involves taking the lowest note (E) and moving it up an octave. This produces the notes G-B-C-E, with the fifth note G as the lowest pitch. This inversion is labeled as Cmaj7/G, indicating that G is the bass note.
Finally, the third inversion of Cmaj7 is achieved by taking the lowest note (G) and moving it up an octave. This yields the notes B-C-E-G, with the seventh note B as the lowest pitch. This inversion is labeled as Cmaj7/B, indicating that B is the bass note.
In summary, the concept of third inversion in relation to seventh chords occurs when the seventh interval becomes the lowest pitch in the chord. It is achieved by rearranging the order of the notes so that the seventh note serves as the bass note.