How to Do Chord Inversions on a 12-String Guitar

Notes in a chord are like voices in a vocal ensemble. You can arrange a chord to put the melody in the base, middle or upper ranges. Rearranged chords are called inversions. In guitar playing inversions broaden your options for harmony construction and add interest and richness to your playing. Combine this with the already-rich sound of a 12-string guitar to make beautiful music.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Play a G major triad chord. G is the root, B is the third and D is the fifth in this chord.

2. Rearrange the intervals to 3-5-1. Now B is the lowest note in the chord, D is in the middle and the root, G, is on top. This is the Major First Inversion.

3. Change the order again to a 5-3-1 pattern. Now D is the bass note, B is the middle voice and G, the root, is the high note. This is the Major Second Inversion.

4. Try out some minor chord inversions. Play the G chord again but change that third, the B, to a B-flat. This is a G Minor chord.

5. Put the B-flat in the bass, and follow it with D as the middle voice and G on top. This is the Minor First Inversion. Reverse the B-flat and the D so that D is the bass note, and you have the Minor Second Inversion.

6. Memorize the notes of your major and minor triad chords, and practice putting these chords through their inversions until you can invert any chord anywhere on the fret board.

7. Strum a sequence of chords. Now play the same progression but play an inversion of the previous chord before you play the next chord. Notice how inversions create transitions between the primary chords and add depth and interest to the chord progression.

Tips & Warnings

• To master chord inversions it helps to know a bit of music theory so that you understand the intervals such as 1-3-5. If you haven't already done so, read up on this subject. It will help you understand what you are doing in inverting chords.