5.10 Ear training: root position and inversions of triads
Category: Ear training | Tags: Ear training: chords |
In Chapter 4.11 Triads: the first and second inversion you’ve learned about the first inversion and second inversion of triads. You also learned to distinguish the difference between a root position, first and second inversion of the major or minor triad by ear. This chapter is a follow-up of these ear training exercises. You will learn, with step-by-step exercises, to distinguish root position, first and second inversion of the major and minor triad by ear.
1. Root position, first and second inversion
Ear Training exercise 5h: practise distinguishing the difference between a root position and first inversion of the major and minor triad by ear.
Ear Training exercise 5i: practise distinguishing the difference between a root position and second inversion of the major and minor triad by ear.
Ear Training exercise 5j: practise distinguishing the difference between a first and second inversion of the major and minor triad by ear.
2. All positions
Ear Training exercise 5k: practise distinguishing the difference between a root position, first and second inversion of the major triad by ear.
Ear Training exercise 5l: practise distinguishing the difference between a root position, first and second inversion of the minor triad by ear.
Ear Training exercise 5m: practise distinguishing the difference between a root position, first and second inversion of the major and minor triad by ear.
Get the full courseExample question
Which position of a major or minor triad do you hear?
Choise 1: root position
Choise 2: first inversion
Choise 3: second inversion
Practical steps
Sing the triad being played to train your inner hearing abilties. Determine which of the three notes played is the root (in case of an inversion, pay special attention to the distance fifth - root, this is a fourth). The root is the highest tone, the third is the lowest tone and the fifth is the tone in the middle.
Answer: first inversion.