Grammar of Music

Path

What to study before Chord inversions

The same notes over a different bass: the same identity with a different weight and a different voice leading. Below, the concepts that come before, in the order in which one explains the next. Signed in, you see the same path minus what you already hold: your path.

  1. Notes and semitones

    The seven letter names, the accidentals that alter them, and the semitone as the system's smallest step.

    Level 0lesson Notes have names, and the names have a rule (First steps in theory)

  2. Intervals

    The distance between two notes, measured by a number taken from the letter names and a quality taken from the semitones.

    Level 1has practicelesson The distance between two notes (First steps in theory)

  3. Triads

    Three-note chords stacked in thirds, and the four qualities that result.

    Level 2has practicelesson Three notes, four chords (First steps in theory)

  4. Chord inversions

    The same notes over a different bass: the same identity with a different weight and a different voice leading.

    Level 3lesson The letter after the slash (Functional harmony for people who play)