Chord inversions and slash chords

When the Bass Changes First

A slash chord names a chord plus a specific bass note, such as C/E or G/B. In many cases that bass note is simply an inversion of the chord you already know.

Changing the bass changes the direction of the progression. The harmony may stay familiar while the bass line becomes smoother and more melodic.

This is why slash chords show up so often in arranging: they connect chords without forcing large jumps in the lowest voice.

First-Inversion Movement in C

Study a simple progression voiced in first inversion. These sonorities can be heard as slash-chord movement such as C/E, G/B, Am/C, and F/A.

Compare Inverted Bass Motion

• Play the progression and listen to the bass motion first
• Identify which bass notes belong to the 3rd of the chord
• Treat each inversion as a slash-chord spelling in context
• Compare the smoothness to the same chords in root position