Did you know there are several ways to play the same chord using different bass notes? In this lesson, we are exploring how to play chord inversions on the guitar.
Using inversions will give you different ways of hearing a chord. They can also make your chords sound more interesting when you use them to connect to other chords.
In this lesson, we’ll cover the Major and minor chord inversion shapes starting on the 6th, and 5th strings and then cover some chord progression examples to start applying them in your playing!
Let’s first cover some important terms and break down the music theory to start learning your chord inversions!
What is a chord inversion?
A chord inversion is when you have a chord that uses a bass note that is different from the root note. The two inversions used for triads chords are the 1st inversion, meaning the 3rd of the chord is in the bass (lowest note of the chord). 2nd inversion means that the 5th of the chord is the bass note.
For example, for a C Major chord, we have:
- C Major chord (root position): C, E, G
- C Major chord 1st inversion: E, G, C
- C Major chord 2nd inversion: G, C, E
An important thing to note is that although the bass note changes according to the inversion, the other notes of the chord can be in varying orders. You can also drop the 2nd note to the bass to create spread triads (see lesson here).
As you’ll see in the charts ahead, a lot of times some of the notes in the chord get doubled in a given shape. That is normal as long you have the right bass note.
If needed, review this other lesson on triads to better understand these chord structures and how use them.
How inverted chords are written
Inversions are written as slash chords. C/E means a C Major chord with E (the 3rd) in the bass. When the 3rd is in the bass, this is called 1st inversion. When the 5th is in the bass (like C/G), it’s called 2nd inversion.
Same idea for minor chords: C min / Eb is a C minor chord with the b3 in the bass, also a 1st inversion.
Need a refresher on slash chord notation? See How to read slash chords on guitar.
Chord inversions on the 6th string
We’ll first cover some chord shapes you can use across the 6th string for Major chords and then for minor chords.
Keep in mind that there are occasions when you can add some open strings if the notes fit the chord structure but in general, you can simply use the shapes here for any chord.
In the following chord charts, the chord tones are written next to each string.
The lowest horizontal line is the thickest string (low E) and the highest horizontal line is your thinnest string (high E).
6th string, 1st inversion Major chord shape 1
6th string, 1st inversion Major chord shape 2
6th string, 1st inversion Major chord examples
As you can see we have the same chord F/A (F over A) but we have two different ways of playing this chord.
6th string, 2nd inversion Major chord shape 1
6th string, 2nd inversion Major chord shape 2
6th string 2nd inversion Major chord examples
6th string, 1st inversion minor chord shape
6th string, 1st inversion minor chord shape example
Chord inversions on the 5th string
5th string, 1st inversion Major chord (Shape 1)
5th string, 1st inversion Major chord (Shape 2)
5th string, 1st inversion Major chord examples
5th string, 1st inversion minor chord (Shape 2)
5th string, 1st inversion minor chord (Shape 2) example
Easily look up guitar chords with the Essential Guitar Chords Chart!
This chart covers how to play:
- Major chords
- Minor chords
- Major 7 chords
- Minor 7 chords
- Dominant chords
- Half diminished chords
- Diminished chords
- Chords starting on all (12) root notes
- Over 80+ chords!
Chord progression examples using inversions
For the progressions below, you will see a harmonic analysis above the chords to better understand how they relate to each other.
1. Using inversions to walk up the bass line
Instead of using a minor 3 chord to walk up the chords in a progression, you can use the 1 chord in 1st inversion instead. Like this:
2. Using inversions to walk down the bass line
This 8 measure example now walks down the diatonic chords in C Major with a few chord substitution using inverted chords in measures 2 and 6.
7th chord inversions
Just like triad chords, 7th chords also have inversions. Since 7th chords have four chord tones, this means that we would also use the 3rd inversion, meaning the 7th chord tone is in the bass.
For example, here are two examples of chords in 3rd inversion.
- C Maj7/B means a C Major 7 chord with a B in the bass.
- C7/Bb would mean a C7 chord with a Bb in the bass.
Check out this lesson to learn the essential 7th chords.
Wrapping up
We covered the 1st and 2nd inversions used for triads chords for Major and minor chords on both the 6th and 5th strings. We also looked at some examples of how to apply inversions in a chord progression to give you a better idea of how they work.
I suggest challenging yourself to go through these chords in various key signatures so that when you come across a song with an inversion, the less you have to think about how to play the chord. It’s always a good practice to try and apply new concepts in all 12 keys when possible.
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JG