Which inversion places the third in the bass?

• A. Root Position
• B. First Inversion
• C. Second Inversion
• D. Third Inversion

Answer: (B)

In chord inversions, the position is defined by which chord tone sits in the bass. For a triad, the three tones are the root, the third, and the fifth. When the lowest note is the root, the chord is in root position; when the lowest note is the third, you have the first inversion; and when the lowest note is the fifth, it’s the second inversion. So placing the third in the bass means the chord is in the first inversion. For example, a C major triad C–E–G in root position has C in the bass; if E is in the bass, you’ve reached the first inversion; if G is in the bass, you’d be in the second inversion. The term “third inversion” is used for seventh chords, not triads.