← All lessonsModule 4 · Colour
Inversions and Smooth Voice Leading
Same four chords, played two ways. This one jumps around...
In this lesson you'll
- Name the three positions of a chord.
- Hear how the bass changes its feel.
Music in this lesson
- A Whiter Shade of PaleProcol Harum · 1967
- Air on the G StringJ.S. Bach · public domain
Remember
The lowest note names the position. Root position, first inversion, second inversion.
The bass changes the feel, and inversions let it walk step by step.
Keep the shared notes, and move the rest to the nearest note. Small moves sound smooth.