Brainlag Plus Music
Brainlag Plus MusicLabels and inversions
How the ABRSM Grade 6 book writes chord names, which note is in the bass, and the other labels you will meet in other books.
Which note is in the bass
A chord keeps its name whichever of its notes is at the bottom. What changes is how stable it sounds, so the label says which note is in the bass:
- root position: the root in the bass. No letter: I.
- first inversion: the 3rd in the bass. Letter b: Ib.
- second inversion: the 5th in the bass. Letter c: Ic.
Why it matters: root position is the most solid. First inversion is lighter and lets the bass move by step. Second inversion sounds unstable, so it is only used in three special places (unit 4).
The next 3 screens and the 5 questions are in Plus.
Screen 1 of 4, free to read.
- 5 exam-style questions, marked as you go, each with a worked solution
- Anything you get wrong is saved to your flashcards