How To Play Left Hand Chord Inversions

How To Play Left Hand Chord Inversions on the Piano

Chord Inversions are helpful when playing the piano so that you have more options for playing. Here you will find tips on how to play a chord inversion with your Left Hand.

We will start with a C chord. The notes for a C chord are C, E, G. This is also called the root. The  C chord will always be C, E, G no matter how you rearrange it. Just like 1 + 2 + 3 = 6, no matter how you rearrange the numbers. Play the C, E, G with your 5 finger (pinky), 3 finger and 1 finger (thumb).

Step2

In order to play the 2nd inversion of the chord you need to rearrange the 3 notes. For the 2nd inversion, the notes will be in this order, E, G, C. Use your 5 finger, 3 finger and  1 finger.

Step3

The 3rd inversion is the same notes rearranged again, G, C, E. There is just a little change in the finger numbers, though. Use 5, 2 and 1.

This same format is used for every chord. Have your fingers use the same pattern for all the chord inversions.

How to Put Chord Inversions Together 

For jazz, rock, guitar, piano and everything that involves playing or writing music, chord inversions are a must know. They give you the ability to create a better flow to the song and to make it easier to get from one chord to the other. You've probably heard the expression, Smooth Chord Progressions.

The basic concept to keep in mind with chord inversions is that you are simply taking the notes from the regular stack of notes and moving them to a different place on the guitar, piano or staff.

Practice playing the major chords in different inversions. Inversions of a chord use the same notes, but place a different note in the bass. For example, a C major chord is C, E, G. The first inversion of the C-major chord is E, G, C. The second inversion is G, C, E.

PIANO CHORD FINGERING for the LEFT HAND:

The same principle as the right hand, just reversed.

BASIC IDEA FOR CHORD FINGERING for the LEFT HAND:

Chords are every other note so use every other finger.  5-3-1

CHORD INVERSIONS:  

Using C chord inversions for examples: It's all about spacing.

FIRST INVERSION C CHORD = E - G - C   Use 5-3-1

1.  E TO G = 3 note interval  E - F - G, smallest grouping of notes

2.  G TO C = 4 note interval  G - A - B - C, largest grouping of notes

FIRST INVERSION CHORDS SHOULD USE FINGERING 5-3-1. 

This is very easy fingering in the left hand, because when playing

G and C, we can use the widest range in our hand the 3 to the thumb.

SECOND INVERSION C CHORD = G - C - E  Use 5-2-1

1.  G to C = 4 note interval, G - A - B - C  largest grouping of notes,

2.  C TO E =3 note interval, C - D - E  smallest grouping of notes

SECOND INVERSION CHORDS SHOULD USE FINGERING 5-2-1

WHY? G to C is the largest grouping of notes, so we have to

accommodate that with using the 2 finger on C, adding more

space between our fingers.

Remember, the basic principles of fingering is to use your fingers and hand

in natural positions.  Always think of how the black keys are used in your

songs, and how to use the tight and open hand spans.  I've used the scales and chord fingerings to help you get this idea.

For more further study on this subject, check out some of my articles:

Left-Hand-Bass-Parts

Inversion-of-Chords

You may be interested in two great resources that I use from my music library are:

300pg Piano By Ear Home Study Course  

Chords 101 & 102

photo credit: Day 96. Practice. via photopin (license)







"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

How To Form Left Chord Inversions On Piano

How to Do a Left Chord Inversion on the Piano

Summary: Chord Inversions are helpful when playing the piano so that you have more options for playing. Here is how you would play a chord inversion with your Left Hand.

* Start with a C chord. The notes for a C chord are C, E, G. This is also called the root. A C chord will always be C, E, G no matter how you rearrange it. Just like 1 + 2 + 3 = 6, no matter how you rearrange the numbers. Play the C, E, G with your #5 finger, #3 finger and #1 finger.

* To play the 2nd inversion of the chord you need to rearrange the 3 notes. For the 2nd inversion, the notes will be in this order, E, G, C. Use your #5 finger, #3 finger and # 1 finger.

* The 3rd inversion is the same notes rearranged again, G, C, E. There is just a little change in the finger numbers, though. Use #5, #2 and #1.

* This same format is used for every chord. Have your fingers use the same pattern for all the chord inversions.

* How to Put Together Chord Inversions

For jazz, rock, guitar, piano and everything that involves playing or writing music, chord inversions are a must to know. They give you the ability to create a better flow to the song and to make it easier to get from one chord to the other.

The basic concept to keep in mind with chord inversions is that you are simply taking the notes from the regular stack of notes and moving them to a different place on the guitar, piano or staff.

* Practice playing the major chords in different inversions. Inversions of a chord use the same notes, but place a different note in the bass. For example, a C major chord is C, E, G. The first inversion of the C-major chord is E, G, C. The second inversion is G, C, E.[1]

PIANO CHORD FINGERING for the LEFT HAND:
The same principle as the right hand, just reversed.

BASIC IDEA FOR CHORD FINGERING for the LEFT HAND:

Chords are every other note so use every other finger. 5-3-1

Using C chord inversions for examples: It's all about spacing.

FIRST INVERSION C CHORD = E - G - C Use 5-3-1

1. E TO G = 3 note interval E - F - G, smallest grouping of notes
2. G TO C = 4 note interval G - A - B - C, largest grouping of notes


FIRST INVERSION CHORDS SHOULD USE FINGERING 5-3-1.
This is very easy fingering in the left hand, because when playing
G and C, we can use the widest range in our hand the 3 to the thumb.


SECOND INVERSION C CHORD = G - C - E Use 5-2-1
1. G to C = 4 note interval, G - A - B - C largest grouping of notes,
2. C TO E =3 note interval, C - D - E smallest grouping of notes

SECOND INVERSION CHORDS SHOULD USE FINGERING 5-2-1
WHY? G to C is the largest grouping of notes, so we have to
accommodate that with using the 2 finger on C, adding more
space between our fingers.


Remember, the basic principles of fingering is to use your fingers and hand
in natural positions. Always think of how the black keys are used in your
songs, and how to use the tight and open hand spans. I hope you get the idea of
chord fingerings to help you play left hand chord inversions.

All the best,
LadyD

Chord Fingering

* Piano Chords- Major Triads

Piano chords are formed by combining two or more scale tones (notes). You now know the notes that comprise all 12 major scales and you can play these scales smoothly. Apply this knowledge and begin combining the scale tones to form chords. You are now combining two or more intervals. The simplest and most common type of piano chords is the triad.

Here's detailed finger settings for hundreds of piano chords and scales, displayed in a graphical manner.


http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/piano/

A triad is composed of 3 notes from the major scale. A major triad consists of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th tones (notes) of a major scale. This is referred to as the root (1st), major third (3rd), and perfect fifth (5th). So, based upon this, C major chords would consist of the notes C, E, and G of the C major scale. The symbols for a major triad are Major, M, or Maj. Whenever you see these names or symbols following a piano note (C, D, Eb, F#, etc.) you know it is referring to major triad chords. Or if you are just given the note (C, D, etc.) it is inferred to be a major triad.

When you practice these major chords, I recommend you form them using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th fingers of your right hand. Thumb (1st), middle finger (3rd), and pinky (5th). Your left hand will form these chords using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th fingers also, but the numbering is pinky (5th) middle finger (3rd) and thumb (1st).

* Piano Chords-Minor Triads

You now know that combining the 1st, 3rd, and 5th tones (notes) of a major scale form major triad piano chords. If you lower the 3rd tone one half step it becomes a minor triad. So, minor triad chords are the 1st, b3rd, and 5th tones (notes) of a major scale. The b3rd is the symbol for "flatted 3rd". This means the 3rd tone (note) of the major scale is lowered one half step. You will also see this referred to as root (1st), minor third (b3rd), and perfect fifth (5th).

So, based upon this a C minor chord would consist of the notes C, Eb, and G. The symbols for a minor triad are minor, m, min. or -. Whenever you see these names or symbols following a piano note (C, D, Eb, F#, etc.) you know it is referring to minor triad chords.

Now, when you practice these minor chords, form them using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th fingers of your right hand. Thumb (1st), middle finger (3rd), and pinky (5th). Your left hand will form these chords using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th fingers also, but the numbering is pinky (5th) middle finger (3rd) and thumb (1st).

* Piano Chords-Other Triad chords


Two other 3 tone (note) piano chords are the augmented and suspended 4th. An augmented chord is formed by combining the 1st, 3rd, and #5th tones (notes) of a major scale. #5th (sharped 5th) means you raise the 5th tone (note) of the scale by one half step. Based upon this combination of tones, C augmented chords would consist of C, E, and G#. The symbols for an augmented chord are aug., (#5), and +5. Whenever you see these names or symbols following a piano note (C, D, Eb, F#, etc.) you know it is referring to augmented piano chords.

A suspended 4th chord is formed by combining the 1st, 4th, and 5th tones (notes) of a major scale. Based upon this combination of tones a C suspended 4th piano chord would consist of C, F, and G. The symbol for a suspended 4th chord is (sus4). Whenever you see this name or symbol following a piano note (C, D, Eb, F#, etc.) you know it is referring to suspended 4th piano chords.

* Fun with Finger and Chord Practice- Ezra Bufford



Chord fingering will become like second nature as you play chords in its root and inversions. Letting your fingers walk to the next chord, passing the note of the scale, will make the music flow. Sometimes the chord is not played on all 3 fingers with right and left hand. You can hit a C on your left and E G on your right to make a broken chord. Mix and match for variation. Of course let your ear judge which tone is good/better/best. Practice your scales, inversions, arpeggios, and of course your chords. Practice with the best and correct fingering from the beginning so you don't have to "unlearn" things later own. Get it right "slowly" from the start and then you will be able to fly faster later on.

* Audio Chords Series- Learn Chords from Hear and Play

Learn Chords

* Step By Step you'll learn:

How to form various types of chords: major, minor, diminished, augmented and the easy theory behind them. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED. You'll literally laugh when you discover how easy it is to play all of these chords by ear!



* The classes of chords and the difference between triads, sevenths, ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths... all broken down in "normal," down-to-earth, language.



* One magic formula that creates all the chords you'll ever need to know. It involves two words: Quality & Quantity (and you need both in order to create all chords).



* How to form any major scale in seconds using my "Why Won't He Wear White When Hot" trick. You won't find this taught anywhere else because it's totally out-of-the-box. These are the tricks students need to bring theoretical, intimidating concepts down to earth... and to stop from boring themselves to death! The courses are full of these creative tricks!



* Easy ways to understand intervals (which are merely distances between notes). There are melodic intervals and harmonic intervals and you'll learn both. Simply put, if you can understand freeway signs: "Next exit in 3 miles"... then you can understand intervals!



* The secret behind the "number system" and how to use it to learn practically any chord out there with 7 practical examples.


http://www.LadyDpiano.com