Triads (Inversions)

The highest pitch of a triad

The lowest voice on the staff

The lowest pitch of a triad when the chord is spelled in thirds

The middle note of a triad

F and F

A and F

C and F

F and C

Look for the interval of the 4th.

The upper note of the fourth is the root.

The bass note is always the root.

The lowest note is always the root.

The bass note is always the lowest note, while the root is the highest.

The root is not the bass note in an inversion. The bass is the lowest note.

The bass note is not the root in an inversion. The root is the lowest note.

The bass note is always the root in an inversion.

The 3rd of the triad is in the bass.

The 5th of the triad is in the bass.

The root of the triad is in the bass.

The 7th of the triad is in the bass.

F Major, D Major, A Major

C Major, G Major, E Major

F Minor, D Minor, A Minor

B Major, E Major, A Major

C4, E4, G4

C4, D4, G4

C4, F4, G4

C4, E4, F4

Root

Third

Fifth

Seventh

Root

Third

Fifth

Seventh

Drop the root down an octave

Drop the 5th down an octave

Keep the root and third in the same position

Move the third up an octave

Root

Third

Fifth

Seventh