Chord Inversions

Chords are made up of stacked thirds. The notes of any given chord can be played in any order. C Maj for example is C-E-G, where C is the root (R), E is a major third (3) and G is a perfect fifth (5). However, the root does not always have to be on the bottom. It may be on top as in E-G-C, known as the first inversion, or in the middle, as in G-C-E, known as the second inversion. The first inversion is when the third of a chord is the lowest note. The second inversion is when the fifth of a chord is the lowest note.

The order of the rest of the notes does not change the state of the chord, but changes the voicing. So both E-G-C and E-C-G are both first inversions of C Maj but differently voiced.