Level C

In the previous levels we learnt about triads built from the first note (tonic) of the chord.

! What is the interval between the notes of a triad? ____________

When the chord is in this arrangement, we call it the Root Position, because the root,
or first note of the chord, is at the bottom.

We can rearrange the notes in a triad without changing what type of chord it is. This
creates different inversions of the chord. Look at how the C chord is rewritten in
different inversions:

The first inversion is created when the 3rd of the chord, the middle note, is in the bass.
The second inversion is created when the 5th of the chord, the top note, is in the bass.

Play these chords on the piano! Can you hear that it is still a C chord?

If you come across a chord in an inversion, to determine what kind of chord it is, we
have to rearrange it into the root position where all the notes are a 3rd apart, to figure
out what the root is.

Assignment 1: Rewrite the following chords in root position, then name the chord.