Now on 4, 3, 2, run through the major triads in four more keys. Play the following triads for two beats each.Ģ. Taking the keys of C, F, Bb, and Eb, practice playing all of the inversions of the major triad. On the top string set 3, 2, 1, root position is playable in third position, first inversion in eighth position, and second inversion in twelfth position. A triad with the 5th of the chord in the bass is called a triad in second inversion. To get a second inversion triad, move the E up an octave, giving you G C E. A major triad with the 3rd in the bottom is called a triad in first inversion. Moving the C (the bottom note) up an octave yields E G C. A root-position C triad is spelled C E G. To invert a chord, move the bottom note up an octave.
Up and down the fretboard refers to moving voicings from the lower-numbered frets to the higher-numbered frets (where the higher pitches are).Īcross refers to taking the inversions from the higher-pitched strings to the lower-pitched strings.
We will look at two ways to work on chord inversions on the guitar: up and down the fretboard and across the fretboard. The following approach should help us to get to more possibilities in the most effective way possible. Up the Fretboard and Across the Fretboardįirst, a clarification of terms is in order.
