In a seventh chord, the inversion that places the seventh in the bass is called which inversion?

In a seventh chord, the inversion that places the seventh in the bass is called which inversion?

• A. First inversion
• B. Second inversion
• C. Third inversion
• D. Root position

Answer: (C)

In a seventh chord, the inversion with the seventh in the bass is called the third inversion. A seventh chord consists of four tones: the root, the third, the fifth, and the seventh. Inversions are named by which chord tone sits in the bass. When you put the seventh on the bottom, the lowest note is the seventh, so the chord is in third inversion. For example, a C major seventh chord has notes C–E–G–B. In root position the bass is C; in the first inversion the bass is E; in the second inversion the bass is G; and in the third inversion the bass is B. The chord still contains the same four notes, but with B in the bass it’s functioning as a third inversion, which changes the bass motion and voice-leading in the progression.

In a seventh chord, the inversion with the seventh in the bass is called the third inversion. A seventh chord consists of four tones: the root, the third, the fifth, and the seventh. Inversions are named by which chord tone sits in the bass. When you put the seventh on the bottom, the lowest note is the seventh, so the chord is in third inversion. For example, a C major seventh chord has notes C–E–G–B. In root position the bass is C; in the first inversion the bass is E; in the second inversion the bass is G; and in the third inversion the bass is B. The chord still contains the same four notes, but with B in the bass it’s functioning as a third inversion, which changes the bass motion and voice-leading in the progression.