24
Inversions
Another kind of chord substitution is accomplished by rearranging the notes of a
chord to produce a new chord. Below is an example of some of the chords in the
key of C major that are
inversions
of each other and can usually be used inter-
changeably.
The diagram below shows the similarity between notes when chord families in the key of
C major are grouped together.
A
B C
D
E F
G
A
Am7
C
D
E F
G
A
B C
C6
B C
D
E
F
G
A
B
Bm7<5
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
Dm6
B C
D E<
F
G A<
B
B[7
B C
D
D E<
F
G A<
D[7
B C
D E<
F
F
G A<
B C
D E<
F
G A<
A<
F[7
A<[7
C
D
EF
G
A
B C
Cmaj7
E
F
G
A
B C
D
E
Em7
A
B CD
EF
GA
Am7
{
Tonic
Family
F
G
AB C
D
E F
Fmaj7
D
E
FG
AB
CD
Dm7
{
Sub-dominant
Family
G
A
BC
D
E
FG
Gdom7
B C
D
E
F
G
AB
Bm7b5
{
Dominant
Family
Because of its construction, a diminished seventh chord ([7) offers several
inverted combinations that work as chord substitutes. This chord is made up of
four notes spaced a <3rd (minor third) apart. The notes of the diminished seventh
repeat every 1½ steps up or down the scale. The diminished seventh chord is
not diatonic to the major scale; instead it is derived from the harmonic minor
scale.
{
{
{ { { {
minor
3rd
minor
3rd
minor
3rd
minor
3rd
