Inversions on the keys

A chord does not have to start on its root. Playing the SAME three notes in a different vertical order is called an INVERSION.

1ST INVERSION: the 3rd is the lowest note (the bass). A major is A–C♯–E; its 1st inversion is C♯–E–A. This is written as a SLASH CHORD: A/C♯ means "A major with C♯ in the bass".

2ND INVERSION: the 5th is in the bass. A major becomes E–A–C♯, written A/E. The root is now the middle note — train your eye to still spot it, because the chord is still called A.

Why inversions matter: they let your hand move to the nearest shape instead of jumping around, and they give the bass line a smooth path. In this app: always play the BASS note first, then go up.

1st inversion = 3rd in the bass · 2nd = 5th in the bass

A/C#: the notes of A major, with the 3rd (C#) at the bottom.

Practise this in the trainer — it opens with this lesson the first time the concept comes up.