The triad in which the fifth is the lowest sounding pitch is known as which inversion?

The triad in which the fifth is the lowest sounding pitch is known as which inversion?

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

Answer: (A)

When the lowest note of a triad is the fifth, the triad is in the second inversion. In a triad, the three tones are the root, the third, and the fifth. Root position has the root in the bass; first inversion places the third in the bass; second inversion places the fifth in the bass. So the bass note being the fifthChoose indicates second inversion. For example, a C major triad is C–E–G. If G is in the bass, the voicing is G–C–E, which is the second inversion. This distinction helps explain why the chord’s bass line sounds different in progressions and cadences.

When the lowest note of a triad is the fifth, the triad is in the second inversion. In a triad, the three tones are the root, the third, and the fifth. Root position has the root in the bass; first inversion places the third in the bass; second inversion places the fifth in the bass. So the bass note being the fifthChoose indicates second inversion.

For example, a C major triad is C–E–G. If G is in the bass, the voicing is G–C–E, which is the second inversion. This distinction helps explain why the chord’s bass line sounds different in progressions and cadences.