Getting started
The Inversion Method
What are chords?
Chords come from scales by playing the first three odd numbered notes of the scale simultaneously. We call these notes "Chord Tones".
In this example, we use the "A" major scale to make the A chord.
- 1 A Root
- 2 B
- 3 C♯ 3rd
- 4 D
- 5 E 5th
- 6 F♯
- 7 G♯
Inversions
The chord tones can be re-arranged by moving the lowest sounding chord tone to the top of the chord. These re-arranged chords are called "Inversions".
| Lowest note | Then | Highest note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | A | C♯ | E |
| 1st inversion | C♯ | E | A |
| 2nd inversion | E | A | C♯ |
Your first chords
2nd inversion: the lowest note is E
The first chords you are going to learn are "2nd Inversion" chords. In the 2nd inversion A chord, the lowest fretted note is E, the 5th of the scale.