5.10 Ear training: root position and inversions of triads

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.

Example 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.