How professionals use inversions as well as root position chords
There are three different ways to play every major and minor chord. Many pianists only learn the first way called root position. This is missing the mark. Learn how to use all three versions of each chord. Plus, how to keep the melody of your song on the top of the chord. And use a practice technique that will solidify each chord in your muscle memory in under two weeks. Let’s go!
Three versions of every chord
A typical chord is made of three notes. The root note, the third, and the fifth notes of the scale. Most of us learn the root position each time we learn a new chord. For instance, the C chord is made of C+E+G. We also call this a block chord. It’s the most fundamental way to play the chord.
However, the notes do not always need to land 1+3+5 (or C+E+G in the case of the C chord). There are two other ways to achieve the same chord by rearranging the notes. It’s called playing inversions. The better you are at playing inversions the higher quality your sound will be.
First inversion takes the tonic, root note (1), and moves it from the bottom of the chord to the top. The right hand now plays 3+5+1.
Second inversion moves the third note (3) to the top. It reads 5+1+3. This inversion is especially rich-sounding because the third note of the scale is important. It defines whether a chord is major or minor. You’ll hear the distinction when you play.
You may notice that playing inversions mean you’ll be missing the root note at the bottom of the chord stabilizing the sound. Add that note in using the left hand. In fact, playing the root note as octaves spreading your left pinky and thumb finger out to play the same low and high note solidifies the chord. It also frees up the ability to play whatever you’d like in the right hand without losing the stability of the fundamental note.
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Keep the melody on top as much as possible
Now that you know some inversions, when should you play them? The answer is simple. As often as possible.
The key concept is to keep your right hand within the same set of five or six notes. Also, keep the melody note on top of the chord whenever possible. This means if your melody is a C note and you’re using the C chord, the first inversion places a C at the top of the chord. When moving to the next chord keep the melody on top or only allow yourself a five or six-note box to fit in. If moving to G, for instance, then you could use the second inversion of G. This keeps the most notes close to the original starting point of your C chord in the first inversion. The F chord in second inversion would work well next. Try several chord versions to see how little piano real estate you need to travel. The less travel the better.
Practice develops muscle memory
Make a plan to practice for five minutes every day. Muscle memory will develop over the next fifteen to twenty-one days. You’ve got to be consistent. Five minutes each day is far more effective than ten minutes every other day. Our brains retain information better this way. In fact, while you sleep your brain will catalog what you’ve practiced and it will be more readily available to you tomorrow. Practice every day. Set a timer. Stop after five minutes if you’d like but prioritize practice. This is true even if feel like you’ve been playing forever. I’m more than twenty years into my playing journey and I still practice intentionally for at least five minutes each day. These minutes keep me sharp and help me to be more creative.
Summary & Action Steps
Get started! Practice at least five minutes each day. If you’d like a book to help you, Piano Chords One lays out each chord beautifully. Use code: Inversions for 25% off a signed copy sent to you. Have a comment that can help others be successful? We’d love to hear! Comment below and be a part of the discussion.
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