Journal

Highland Cathedral – Mass band, Breman 2008

https://youtu.be/oieFS785QPk

Root, 1st, and 2nd Inversions

Review

What is a triad? How do we construct triads? How can we identify the quality of a triad

(major or minor)?

Scale Degrees

I – Tonic

ii – Supertonic

iii – Mediant

IV – Subdominant

V – Dominant

vi – Submediant

vii – Leading tone

Inversions

An inversion describes the bass note in relation to the other notes in the triad.

A chords (triads) inversion is determined by which note is the bottom note in a chord (triad).

In an inverted chord, the root is not in the bass (is not the lowest note).

A triad may appear in one of 3 positions: root, 1st inversion, or 2nd inversion.

Root Position

A triad is in root position if the root of the triad is in the bass.

For example, in C major, C is the root. C is in the bass, followed by the 3rd (E), and 5th (G).

Root position examples

Construct the following triads in root position:

Eb + :

Eb, G, Bb

B - :

B, D, F#

F# + :

F#, C#, G#

1st Inversion

To create a triad in 1st inversion, simply move the bass note up an octave.

The bass note is now the 3rd of the chord.

For example, in C major, the 3rd of the chord (E) would now be the bass note, followed by the 5th (G), and the root (C).

Building 1st inversion triads

For example, to build a G major tonic triad in 1st inversion…

1. Discover the root of the triad. (G)

2. Discover the 3rd of the triad. (B)

3. Discover the 5th of the triad. (D)

4. Draw the triad in root position. (G, B, D)

5. Move the root/bass note (G) up an octave. The 3rd should now be the bass note. (B, D, G)

1st Inversion Examples

In the key of Bb +, construct the mediant triad in 1st inversion.

F (bass/3rd), A (5th), D (root up an octave)

In the key of G -, construct the subdominant triad in 1st inversion.

Eb (bass/3rd), G (5th), C (root up an octave)

2nd Inversion

To create a 2nd inversion triad, move the root up an octave. Then, move the 3rd up an octave.

The 5th is now the bass note.

For example, in C major, the 5th (G) would now be the bass note, followed by the root (C), then the 3rd (E).

Building 2nd inversion triads

For example, to build an A major tonic triad in 2nd position…

1. Discover the root of the triad. (A)

2. Discover the 3rd of the triad (C#)

3. Discover the 5th of the triad (E)

4. Draw the triad in root position (A, C#, E)

5. Move the root up an octave. (C#, E, A)

6. Move the current bass note (the 3rd of the triad) up an octave.

7. The 5th should now be the bass note (E, A, C#)

2nd inversion examples

In the key of Db +, construct the dominant triad in 2nd inversion.

Eb (5th), Ab, (root), C (3rd)

In the key of F# -, construct the leading tone triad in 2nd inversion.

B (5th), E (root), G# (3rd)