Root position
C · E · G
Bass note: C
Open exact state
Harmony reference
Piano Chord Inversions
Compare root position and every inversion with bass notes, diagrams and sound.
Inversion identifies which chord tone is lowest. A voicing may also change spacing, octave and duplication without changing inversion.
Piano Chord Inversions
An inversion moves a chord tone into the bass. The pitch-class content remains the same while bass identity and ordering change.
C–E–G is root position; E–G–C is first inversion; G–C–E is second inversion.
Read the result
The text answer, formula and labelled visual are equivalent views of the selected state. Inversion identifies the bass chord tone. Voicing also describes spacing and duplication, so the two terms are related but not identical.
Connected theory
Follow the selected root or tonic into its hub, then into the relevant key, interval or inversion reference. Contextual links use the active subject rather than the same generic list on every page.
Try a controlled comparison
Change one selector at a time and describe what changed in the notes, degrees, bass or signature. Generated audio is optional and user initiated.
- Keep the root fixed and change quality.
- Keep the structure fixed and transpose.
- Compare the visible text with the keyboard.
Keep exploring
Use the related links to compare the answer with another tool or read the musical idea in more detail.