EKS Lesson Five Introducing inversions
EKS Lesson Five Introducing inversions
The interval between two adjacent keys on a piano is a semitone (half-tone). This applies to white and black keys. Thus…
B to C = 1 semitone
F to F# = 1 semitone
Now havichanged chords using the root positions, we have quite a large movement for the left hand to make. If we analyse the two different chords perhaps there are common notes that would make it possible to change chords with less movement.
The notes in the chord of A are: A, C# and E.
The notes in the chord of D are: D, F# and A.
So we have an A in both chords. At the moment, we play the A at the bottom of the A chord and in the D chord we play the A at the top, the fifth.
So why don't we keep the A at the bottom of the chord? That way we can play the A with the same finger and not move the hand at all.
Look at our next exercise, and Figure 2 below, to see how the notes are positioned and how much easier it is to change between chords as a result.
So, if we leave the A where it is, we can simply move our second finger up a semitone from C# to D. The E moves up a tone to the F#. We have, therefore, achieved the change of chord from A to D with the smallest of movements.
Using the multimedia files as always, practise changing chords.
Figure 2. Changing chords A to D (using inversions) (Enlarge)
|
Next: Inversions
