Piano Lession #5: Chord Inversions Chord inversions are rearranged chords.

So far, we have been building and playing chords in root position, which means that the root of the chord is the lowest note played. First Inversion moves the root to the top, or higher end, of the chord, so the Third is the lowest note played. Second Inversion continues by moving the third above the root, so the Fifth is the lowest note played. Inversions are helpful because they allow you to play more uidly. It rarely matters, especially if the keyboard is part of a band, which inversion of a chord is played, since they all use the same notes. Mixing different inversions to play with as little hand movement as possible makes playing easier, and allows for more creativity. This is illustrated below, right. E Major Chord in Three Positions Root Position C Major, Root Position G Major, First Inversion F Major, Second Inversion Common Chords in the Key of C Inverted to Maintain Hand Position

G#

First Inversion

G#

Second Inversion

G#