Chord Questions

**diggida** · Jul-16-2021, 2:51pm

I think in terms of pure theory semantics the inversion only applies to which tone is in the bass. The rest of the voicing isn't really part of whether/how its inverted or not, if that makes sense. Normally we'd say root position, 1st inversion if the 3rd is in the bass, 2nd inversion if the 5th is in the bass, and 3rd inversion if the 7th is in the bass. The ordering of the notes above doesn't really matter in the usage of the term.

**lowtone2** · Jul-16-2021, 3:39pm

Originally Posted by diggida

I think in terms of pure theory semantics the inversion only applies to which tone is in the bass. The rest of the voicing isn't really part of whether/how its inverted or not, if that makes sense. Normally we'd say root position, 1st inversion if the 3rd is in the bass, 2nd inversion if the 5th is in the bass, and 3rd inversion if the 7th is in the bass. The ordering of the notes above doesn't really matter in the usage of the term.

Although those are the "named" inversions, any order other than 135 (7 9 11 13) is an inversion.

**diggida** · Jul-16-2021, 4:06pm

In my experience thats not how people use that word, but it's just semantics and nomenclature that largely doesn't matter, haha.

**Nevin** · Jul-16-2021, 9:27pm

Not to cloud the issue further but a lot of what we work with are chord voicings, not just inversions. Much of music theory assumes a piano (or an orchestra). On mandolin we have to use what we can.

**ajh** · Jul-17-2021, 3:10am

Yes!!! And then take this thread and filter it through trying to convert everything to tenor tuning while maintaining the original key. CGDA. That'll larn ya. Am in the middle of relearning Greisers (thank you sir) version of "The New Five Cents" after about 10 years. Inversions are just "different" fingerings.

Make it your own.

Then teach somebody else your version. Andonandon.

**Jim Bevan** · Jul-17-2021, 5:06am

Originally Posted by lowtone2

Although those are the "named" inversions, any order other than 135 (7 9 11 13) is an inversion.

I'm not so sure that that's how it is. Is not 1–5–3 (or 10, if you prefer) still considered root position?

I don't believe that close vs open position changes things as far as inversions go.

**Nevin** · Jul-17-2021, 8:42am

Originally Posted by Jim Bevan

I'm not so sure that that's how it is. Is not 1–5–3 (or 10, if you prefer) still considered root position?

I don't believe that close vs open position changes things as far as inversions go.

My understanding is the inversion depends on the lowest note and the other variations are voiceings.

**diggida** · Jul-17-2021, 9:23am

Yeah, that’s generally how people refer to what an inversion is. It’s the bass note that matters. The rest of it is how it’s voiced.

In the context of low note challenged instruments like mandolin, banjo, ukulele, tenor guitar it may not be practical or even effective to play these bass notes on the bottom, but those notes usually indicate an interesting melodic line or voice leading that could be useful. I’ll put the slash notes on top or in the middle of chord voicings sometimes to pull out the intended motion in a series of chords.