The triad in which the seventh is the lowest sounding pitch is called what inversion?

The triad in which the seventh is the lowest sounding pitch is called what inversion?

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

Answer: (A)

When you move the lowest note to be the seventh of the chord, you’re inverting a seventh chord. Inversions are named by which chord tone sits in the bass: root position has the root in the bass, first inversion has the third in the bass, second inversion has the fifth in the bass, and third inversion has the seventh in the bass. Since the seventh is the lowest sounding pitch here, this is the third inversion. Note that a triad doesn’t include a seventh, so the description points to a seventh chord in its third inversion.

When you move the lowest note to be the seventh of the chord, you’re inverting a seventh chord. Inversions are named by which chord tone sits in the bass: root position has the root in the bass, first inversion has the third in the bass, second inversion has the fifth in the bass, and third inversion has the seventh in the bass. Since the seventh is the lowest sounding pitch here, this is the third inversion. Note that a triad doesn’t include a seventh, so the description points to a seventh chord in its third inversion.