Tip on Inversions

Darrin Koltow Blog Learn About Guitar Chords

How do some guitarists seem to barely move their hand when they change chords? The answer is inversions. Learning how they work can give you a “slowhand.”

If you know where to find a chord’s root, and the importance of roots in a chord progression, understanding inversions should present no huge challenge.

Here’s an example of a simple chord progression:

-------
-5--10
-5--10-
-5--10-
-------
-------

Instead of playing it that way, try this

-------
-5--6--
-5--5--
-5--7--
-------
-------

That sounds better and is easier on your hand. But, how do you transfer your knowledge of the first place to play the second chord to find the second, easier place? I’m assuming you don’t know note names.

To answer this question, we do need to know about chord roots. The root of the first shape we used for the progression’s second chord is fret 10, string 3. Play that note and now look for it on string 2. You’ll find it on string 2, fret 6. Among the chord shapes you know, which have their root on string 2? The 6-5-7 shape is one of several possible answers.

The point of this discussion is to get you aware of the importance of knowing the root for each chord shape you play.

Thanks for reading.

This first appeared in the Guitar Noise News – August 1, 2008 newsletter. Reprinted with permission.