Chord inversions and voice leading

What an inversion is

A C chord contains the tones C-E-G no matter which is lowest. When the bass is not the root, we speak of an inversion:

• Root position: bass = the root (C-E-G, bass C).
• First inversion: bass = the third (E-G-C, bass E). Written: C/E.
• Second inversion: bass = the fifth (G-C-E, bass G). Written: C/G.

Reading the slash

A marking like C/E ('C over E') means a C chord with E in the bass. The first part is the chord, the part after the slash is the bass. This is the everyday way guitarists and pianists write inversions.

Why use inversions

Inversions allow a smooth bass line. Instead of leaps, the bass can step by step. Example: C → G/B → Am moves the bass C → B → A - a nice, gradual descending line rather than jumps.

Voice leading

Voice leading is the art of moving individual tones between chords by the shortest path. A good rule: keep common tones between two chords in place, and move the others by the smallest possible step. The result sounds connected and professional - this is exactly what separates a row of chords from real music.