What is the relationship between inversions and chord extensions?

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What is the relationship between inversions and chord extensions?

The relationship between inversions and chord extensions is that inversions refer to the rearrangement of the notes within a chord, while chord extensions refer to adding additional notes beyond the basic triad.

Inversions involve changing the order of the notes within a chord, so that a different note becomes the lowest or bass note. This results in a different voicing or sound of the chord, but the basic structure and quality of the chord remains the same. For example, in a C major triad (C-E-G), the first inversion would be E-G-C, and the second inversion would be G-C-E.

On the other hand, chord extensions involve adding extra notes to the basic triad to create a richer and more complex sound. These additional notes are usually numbered in relation to the basic triad. For example, a Cmaj7 chord includes the basic triad (C-E-G) along with the 7th note (B). Similarly, a C9 chord includes the basic triad along with the 7th (B) and the 9th (D).

In summary, inversions deal with rearranging the notes within a chord, while chord extensions involve adding extra notes to the basic triad. Both techniques contribute to creating different voicings and harmonies in music.