Inversions of Four Note Chords
Like triads, four note chords can be played in various inversion. Because there are four notes, there are also four possible inversions - Root Position (root in bass), First inversion (3rd in bass), second inversion (5th in bass) and Third inversion (7th in bass). This is demonstrated in the following diagram with a C7 chord which contains the notes C, E, G and Bb.
More about Open Voicings
Closed voicings of four note chord inversions are not very practical on the guitar because they require large finger stretches. Because of this, open voicings are commonly used. The following diagrams demonstrate this with a first inversion C7 chord in closed position followed by an open voicing.
C7 First Inversion Closed
C7
4 Note Inversions Along Groups of Strings
By using open voicings, it is possible to find comfortable fingerings for all inversions of four note chords along groups of strings. The following diagrams demonstrate some practical voicings for inversions of a C7 chord on the first four strings.
1st Inversion C7
2nd Inversion C7
3rd Inversion C7
Root Position C7
1st Inversion C7
Major Add Nine
A major add9 chord is created by adding a 9th degree to any major chord. For example, a Cadd9 chord contains the notes C, E, G and D (1, 3, 5 and 9). The following diagram shows some common open major add9 chord shapes.
