When a chord has its root note in the bass (as its lowest note) it is in root position. When a chord is voiced with any note other than its root note in the bass, it is called an inversion.
This post will define the three possible inversions for seventh chords, and provide examples for each type of chord.
It will also provide common fingerings for the inverted chords, along with instruction on how to play them on a guitar with any root note.
Chord Inversions
By way of review:
- When a chord has its third scale degree in the bass, it is in first inversion.
- When a chord has its fifth scale degree in the bass, it is in second inversion.
Seventh chords contain a seventh scale degree and when it’s in the bass of a chord, the chord is in third inversion.
Root Position and Inverted Seventh Chord: Theory
Root Position Seventh Chords
When a chord has its root note in the bass it is in root position.
The seventh chords in fig.1 and fig.2 are in root position. Each note has its root note in the bass.
Fig.1
Fig.2
First Inversion Seventh Chords
When a chord is voiced with its third scale degree in the bass, it is in first inversion.
The seventh chords in fig.3 and fig.4 are in first inversion. Each chord has its third scale degree in the bass.
Fig.3
Fig.4
Second Inversion Seventh Chords
When a chord is voiced with its fifth scale degree in the bass, it is in second inversion.
The seventh chords in fig.5 and fig.6 are in second inversion. Each chord has its fifth scale degree in the bass.
Fig.5
Fig.6
Third Inversion Seventh Chords
When a chord is voiced with its seventh scale degree in the bass, it is in third inversion.
The seventh chords in fig.7 and fig.8 are in third inversion. Each chord has its seventh scale degree in the bass.
Third inversion seventh chords are commonly written with the basic triad to the left of the slash and the chord’s seventh scale degree (which is not part of the basic triad) to the right of it (fig.7).
For example, a third inversion Cmaj7 chord is commonly written C/B. The chord consists of a C major triad (C, E and G) plus the seventh scale degree (B).
Fig.7
Fig.8
Root Position and Inverted Seventh Chords: On a Guitar
The seventh chord examples below include all of the basic seventh chords from Chord Set A, with the notes being played on the second, third, fourth and sixth strings. The first and fifth strings are deadened.
Root Position Seventh Chords
Major Seventh Chords
Fig.9 shows a common fingering for a major seventh chord in root position.
Fig.9
This fingering will allow you to play a major seventh chord — in root position — with any root note:
- To play a Cmaj7, place your first finger on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.10a).
- To play a Dmaj7, place your first finger on the D on the sixth string, 10th fret (fig.10b).
The upper notes in a chord don’t have to be in any particular order. It’s the chord’s lowest note that determines the inversion.
Fig.10
Dominant Seventh Chords
Fig.11 shows a common fingering for a dominant seventh chord in root position.
Fig.11
This fingering will allow you to play a dominant seventh chord — in root position — with any root note:
- To play a C7, place your first finger on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig12a).
- To play a D7, place your first finger on the D on the sixth string, 10th fret (fig.12b).
Fig.12
Minor Seventh Chords
Fig.13 shows a common fingering for a minor seventh chord in root position.
Fig.13
This fingering will allow you to play a minor seventh chord — in root position — with any root note:
- To play a Cm7, place your second finger on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.14a).
- To play a Dm7, place your second finger on the D on the sixth string, 10th fret (fig.14b).
Fig.14
Minor Seventh, Flat Five Chords
Fig.15 shows a common fingering for a minor seventh, flat five chord in root position.
Fig.15
This fingering will allow you to play a minor seventh, flat five chord — in root position — with any root note:
- To play a Cm7(b5), place your second finger on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.16a).
- To play a Dm7(b5), place your second finger on the D on the sixth string, 10th fret (fig.16b).
Fig.16
First Inversion Seventh Chords
Major Seventh Chords
Fig.17 shows a common fingering for a major seventh chord in first inversion.
Fig.17
This fingering will allow you to play a major seventh chord — in first inversion — with any root note:
- To play a Cmaj7/E, place your first finger on the C on the fourth string, 10th fret (fig.18a).
- To play a Dmaj7/F#, place your first finger on the D on the fourth string, 12th fret (fig.18b).
Fig.18
Dominant Seventh Chords
Fig.19 shows a common fingering for a dominant seventh chord in first inversion.
Fig.19
This fingering will allow you to play a dominant seventh chord — in first inversion — with any root note:
- To play a C7/E, place your first finger on the C on the fourth string, 10th fret (fig.20a).
- To play a D7/F#, place your first finger on the D on the fourth string, 12th fret (fig.20b).
Fig.20
Minor Seventh Chords
Fig.21 shows a common fingering for a minor seventh chord in first inversion.
Fig.21
This fingering will allow you to play a minor seventh chord — in first inversion — with any root note:
- To play a Cm7/Eb, place your first finger on the C on the fourth string, 10th fret (fig.22a).
- To play a Dm7/F, place your first finger on the D on the fourth string, 12th fret (fig.22b).
Fig.22
Minor Seventh, Flat Five Chords
Fig.23 shows a common fingering for a minor seventh, flat five chord in first inversion.
Fig.23
This fingering will allow you to play a minor seventh, flat five chord — in first inversion — with any root note:
- To play a Cm7(b5)/Eb, place your first finger on the C on the fourth string, 10th fret (fig.24a).
- To play a Dm7(b5)/F, place your first finger on the D on the fourth string, 12th fret (fig.24).
Fig.24
Second Inversion Seventh Chords
Major Seventh Chords
Fig.25 shows a common fingering for a major seventh chord in second inversion.
Fig.25
This fingering will allow you to play a major seventh chord — in second inversion — with any root note:
- To play a Cmaj7/G, place your first finger on the C on the second string, first fret (fig.26a).
- To play a Dmaj7/A, place your first finger on the D on the second string, third fret (fig.26b).
Fig.26
Dominant Seventh Chords
Fig.27 shows a common fingering for a dominant seventh chord in second inversion.
Fig.27
This fingering will allow you to play a dominant seventh chord — in second inversion — with any root note:
- To play a C7/G, place your first finger on the C on the second string, first fret (fig.28b).
- To play a D7/A, place your first finger on the D on the second string, third fret (fig.28b).
Fig.28
Minor Seventh Chords
Fig.29 shows a common fingering for a minor seventh chord in second inversion.
Fig.29
This fingering will allow you to play a minor seventh chord — in second inversion — with any root note:
- To play a Cm7/G, place the barre on the first fret (fig.30a).
- To play a Dm7/A, place the barre on the third fret (fig.30b).
Fig.30
Minor Seventh, Flat Five Chords
Fig.31 shows a common fingering for a minor seventh, flat five chord in second inversion.
Fig.31
This fingering will allow you to play a minor seventh, flat five chord — in second inversion — with any root note:
- To play a Cm7(b5)/Gb, place the barre on the first fret (fig.32a).
- To play a Dm7(b5)/Ab, place the barre on the third fret (fig.32b).
Fig.32
Third Inversion Seventh Chords
Major Seventh Chords
Fig.33 shows a common fingering for a major seventh chord in third inversion.
Fig.33
This fingering will allow you to play a major seventh chord — in third inversion — with any root note:
- To play a C/B, place the barre on the fifth fret (fig.34a).
- To play a D/C#, place the barre on the seventh fret (fig.34b).
Fig.34
Dominant Seventh Chords
Fig.35 shows a common fingering for a dominant seventh chord in third inversion.
Fig.35
This fingering will allow you to play a dominant seventh chord — in third inversion — with any root note:
- To play a C/Bb, place the barre on the fifth fret (fig.36a).
- To play a D/C, place the barre on the seventh fret (fig.36b).
Fig.36
Minor Seventh Chords
Fig.37 shows a common fingering for a minor seventh chord in third inversion.
Fig.37
This fingering will allow you to play a minor seventh chord — in third inversion — with any root note:
- To play a Cm/Bb, place your third finger on the C on the third string, fifth fret (fig.38a).
- To play a Dm/C, place your third finger on the D on the third string, seventh fret (fig.38b).
Fig.38
Minor Seventh, Flat Five Chords
Fig.39 shows a common fingering for a minor seventh, flat five chord in third inversion.
Fig.39
This fingering will allow you to play a minor seventh, flat five chord — in third inversion — with any root note:
- To play a C°/Bb, place the barre on the fourth fret (fig.40a).
- To play a D°/C, place the barre on the sixth fret (fig.40b).
Fig.40
Related Posts
Related posts include: