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If I play C4, E4, G4, it's a C-major chord. First inversion would be E4, G4, C5: is this considered a different chord, or just a different voicing of the same chord?

I'm thinking specifically for finding chords on a fretboard: do I need to make sure the root is the base note of the chord, or is it the same chord either way?

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4 Answers 4

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It's not a different chord, and in terms of guitar I wouldn't even think of it as a different voicing. It's an inversion! That's what the term is for, to describe taking a particular chord structure and changing the order of notes so that a different note is on the bottom. Guitar voicings tend to have specific structures, like closed triad, spread triad, drop2, etc. Just think of it as an inversion, which is OK to use because you're probably not playing much of a bass line on the guitar anyways.

Unless you're going to make a clear and distinct bass line on the guitar, your role as a guitar player is not necessarily to lay down the bottom end. Most guitar players in an ensemble would consider a C, C/E or C/G to be equivalent for ensemble purposes AND avoid a voicing which falls beneath around fret VII of the sixth string or above around fret IX of the 1st string, because the function of the guitar in an ensemble is normally to play the meat of the chord and the bass player would play the bass. So if a bass player plays the note "C", then it doesn't matter what 'inversion' you play, the whole thing is still a "C" chord with "C" in the bass.

For just a single guitar accompanying, inversions are pretty much equivalent to the written chords, and playing a different inversion of a chord than the one written would not normally be considered a big deal. Especially in huge 6-string open chords, it won't affect the harmony that much. The real question is if your accompaniment has a clear bass supporting it or not, whether played by the guitar player or someone else. If it does, then you start to think more about what the low note is for a particular chord.

For examples of guitar accompaniment styles that have this feature, check out

  • Most singer songwriters who are any good at playing guitar
  • Bossa Nova guitar accompaniment pattern
  • Walking bass + chord pattern for guitar
  • The root-5 bass pattern ubiquitous on any Chet Atkins recording

These examples may be a bit dated, but they should give you some idea of the bass+accompaniment style.

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  • As a piano player, this seems weird to me. Not a different voicing when the octaves are DIFFERENT? Even if the bass player is doing bass, I'd say the arrangement is different. I mean, sure, original and inverted will sound similar. But you want to pay careful attention to that if you're on piano following strict voice leading with a vocalist, eh? Aug 11, 2014 at 20:08
  • I agree with @StephenHazel. If the notes are different, the voicing is different. Aug 12, 2014 at 7:28
  • Yes, that's correct. I didn't say that an "inverted chord is not a different voicing", I was suggesting the OP should think of it as its own entity with respect to the guitar, where chords constructions are formulaic.
    – Grey
    Aug 12, 2014 at 7:33
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It is not considered a different chord. The name is still the same, the notes are still the same, they are just in a different order - so they are effectively a different voicing.

They will sound different, which is why inversions are used - you can impart a number of different flavours of sound to a piece of music.

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  • The difference can be striking, such as the first inversion of a minor triad sounding similar to a major-sixth (with no fifth).
    – Kirk A
    Aug 12, 2014 at 1:44
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Dr Mayhame is right, but I'll explain a little more. If you have a C, E, G, and no other notes it is a C major chord no matter what order it is on, how far apart the notes are, or if notes are doubled. The only thing that changes is the voicing of the chord which can make the same chords sound totally different.

The function of a chord changes depending on the inversion of the chord, but since you are playing guitar most of the time there will be an instrument under you (typically bass guitar). Because of this you don't have to worry too much about what note is the lowest and you can focus more on what voicing you like.

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The first inversion of a chord is considered to have the same function as the chord in root position. This is esp. true for the primary triads: tonic, subdominant and dominant.

That said, the first inversion can help affirm the function of a secondary triad (substitution chord).

For instance, in C major, both Am and Em are substitution chords of C, so both Am and Em can have tonic function. But Am is also a substitution chord of the subdominant F, so Am can also have subdominant function. The first inversion of Am, c-a-e has the C in the root, and because the c is in the bass, it will be more effective as tonic than it will be as subdominant.

The second inversion of a chord is not considered to have the same function. That's because the second inversion has a (dissonant) fourth interval that needs a specific resolution.

The most abundant second inversion chord is on the first degree, and it will typically work as a suspension leading to the dominant chord. So in C major, the 2nd inversion would be g-c-e and it will typically go to G (g-b-d). Even though the 2nd inversion g-c-e is a chord of C, it does not have tonic function. You will notice immediately if you try to substitute the final chord of a song for its second inversion - it doesn't sound finished, because the second inversion does not have tonic function.

With regard to voicing: voicing is the exact placement of the notes, including any omissions and doublings of notes. The inversion is a more general concept that only says something about which chord tone appears as bass tone. Any inversion of a chord can be voiced in many different ways. But once the inversion is set, the voicing does not change the function of the chord - it merely colors it.

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    "The first inversion of a chord is considered to have the same function as the chord in root position." No, a piece/section that is ended with a perfect authentic cadence would sound different if the final chord is in first inversion - it would make it an imperfect authentic cadence. Also, a second-inversion tonic chord can have dominant function.
    – bjb568
    Aug 11, 2014 at 23:02
  • @bjb568 Your remark that a perfect authentic cadence would cease to be perfect in case the final chord would be in first inversion is correct. But that does not dismiss or change the validity of my statement that the 1st inversion does not change the function (tonic, subdominant or dominant) of the chord. Also there is nothing in my answer that contradicts your remark that a 2nd inversion tonic chord can have dominant function. So that's 2 straw men in one comment. What do you want? Aug 11, 2014 at 23:12
  • I've heard the word "function" be used to mean "what the chord does", in more detail than just tonic/predominant/dominant (e.g. iii leads to IV and builds tension). The question is "Is an inversion a different chord, or a different voicing?" so while you haven't specifically mentioned 2nd inversion in your answer, it's implied by the question context.
    – bjb568
    Aug 11, 2014 at 23:15
  • Personally I felt my use of the word function with the immediate reference to tonic, subdominant and dominant would be enough context to allow people to understand that I was talking only about the most basic idea of functional harmony. But feel free to add a answer yourself that explains your understanding of chord function. And: "while you haven't specifically mentioned 2nd inversion in your answer" WTF? My answer is the only one so far that does include a consideration of the 2nd inversion. Yet you decide to pick on my answer? Very odd. Aug 11, 2014 at 23:36
  • I mean in that part of your answer. I guess I was just confused by your use of "function".
    – bjb568
    Aug 11, 2014 at 23:38

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