A Triad is a 3 note chord and is essentially the smallest chord. A Major Triad is based on the 1st (Root) - 3rd & 5th notes of a major scale. Inversions change the order of the notes by playing a different note as the lowest note of the chord.
The chord symbols are written using a slash (/) such as C/E which means to play a C major chord with the E note as the lowest note in the chord. These chord symbols are common to other instruments such as keyboards.
There are 3 types of Triad inversions;
Inversion Name
Scale Notes
Chord Symbol
Chord Notes
Root Position
1 3 5
C
= C E G
1st Inversion
3 5 1
C/E
= E G C
2nd Inversion
5 1 3
C/G
= G C E
The following chord pattern diagrams are of a block form (or Caged System),
which means you can move the same finger pattern for each Major Triad Inversion
up and down the guitar fretboard.
