The Best Way To Practice Chord Inversions

Looking for the best way to practice piano chord inversions? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, piano chord inversions are essential for creating a more sophisticated and elegant sound.
In this piano inversions tutorial we will show you effective steps to your piano inversion practice with chord inversions piano exercises that will transform your playing by building your muscle memory up rather then trying to work from the theoretical perspective. We'll also cover chord inversions progressions and how to incorporate them into your practice routine.
Piano inversions explained and made easy in this lesson will enable you to master your piano chord inversions in no time!
If you like to learn how to play piano chords and master 7 essential chord progressions, watch this video next :
• 7 Best Piano Chord Pro...
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• The Best Way To Practi...
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[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thank you for watching! Let us know if you have any questions about best practices to playing chord inversions. If you would like to claim your FREE gift, the LCSP Resource pack, and find out more about the upcoming Complete Musician online course with Tom, do get in touch with us: www.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com/contact/

[@coyoteblue4027]

Cannon right?

[@martasual]

Cómo cocinar el arroz de albuja

[@thumpcunningham4107]

This is the best inversion explanation I have ever seen! It really allows me to find inversions incredibly fast as a beginner. Brilliant ... Thank you so much!

[@alexhoyle]

It's like someone has just turned on a light, what a fantastic lesson. 😄

[@wonderfulpets3828]

You are excellent at explaining concepts in a straightforward way. And the visuals are so helpful!

[@josephdrach2276]

Pachelbel's Canon in D major. This progression or parts of it are found all over the place. Let It Be by the Beatles, the old Burger King jingle, and lots more. I'm a bass player with 50 years of experience. We need to know all the chords in every key and every invasion everywhere on our instruments. We need to understand what each chord has in common with every other. If one is doing a walking bass line in Ab and there is an E dom 7 coming up, we need to know where we can enter that chord smoothly, often by a half step Sometimes we jump boldly into it and let the sudden change have a startling effect. We can't be stumped for a note. It takes a lot of practice.

[@carolmurphy4627]

I've spent years trying to feel comfortable playing chords and working out chord progressions and you've just done it in a few minutes. I could cry.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes, the magic of this is it's simplicity. Overuse of theory can really overcomplicate the musicality of a simple phrase.

[@acheekymonkey]

This is very helpful! My piano instructor comes from an american gospel tradition and he calls this "getting it in the hands." I struggle with learning the theory becasue it is abstract and I'm very glad you talk about muscle memory. THank you!

[@user-xo2yo6jl3o]

An engineer might call this "applied pattern recognition". Those are just words, though. Your emphasis on teaching your fingers to "feel" patterns is a key insight. Excellent message, well taught, with just the right illustrations. Subscribed.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

That's a great analogy!

[@james2578]

I love this. Am a scientist. And look for the science in everything It’s lovely to read I am not alone. Applied pattern recognition. Love it.

[@ebolds4918]

This way of moving between chords is super helpful and clarifying.👍🏽

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gregcarter7622]

Fantastic insight, thank you!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I believe that's the Pachelbel Progression. I know that one since my neighbour who plays cello was sobbing hysterically when it played.

[@isaacbeen2087]

Indeed. It's more generally known as the "Romanesca"-one probably couldn't list all the pieces of music that use this progression.

[@shitzhu16]

In a previous lesson you stressed the importance of planning your practice with a notebook listing aims and goals. I did and it made a real differnce giving purose ro my practice. Thanksalot.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

That's great to hear well done for putting some plans into place. It really works.

[@With-one-wing]

I understand it in my mind now. Thank you! Now I just have to put that into practice with my fingers. Very good!

[@user-oz1oq2gc1v]

What a lesson. I just love these lessons. Tom is class

[@jimmyponds5504]

I found your channel today and so glad I did! You "hit the nail on the head" about KNOWING the inversions and then putting them into practice!! This is my major personal problem, that is. In all my sporadic added-together years of music/piano lessons, I wish I had stayed with my lessons long enough to have been instructed in chords, their structures, chord progressions, and the list goes on and on! ha Thanks!

[@irmadlm6769]

Amazed!!! 😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Congratulations on your musical wisdom display!!!😊

[@enzoincredibile6661]

Excellent ! Thank you from Austria 👍🎵🎶

[@alexc2259]

Just registeted for the Complete Musician course!

[@alanhay1562]

Such a good teacher. I'm a complete beginner but already through your videos I can feel myself freeing up at the piano.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks Alan

[@michellesickinger1878]

You are the most brilliant instructor on KZbin!👍

[@pnojazz]

Another fantastic lesson! Thank you!

[@durhamgrigg3125]

Fabulous!!! Serendipitous. Enlightening. Liberating. Exhilarating!!! Checking out your website and course. I am still an active lawyer at 67yo - but have a beautiful Concert Yamaha Grand Piano (‘Ludwig’) who I feel devastated has spent years quietly hoping I would sit down and play with him and make wonderful music together once more!!! Thank you.

[@peterbaker8629]

Extremely helpful lesson ... many thanks!

[@CounterRhythms]

Probably the best inversions video I've seen so far. 1000x thank you!!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@MikeukHB]

Great thanks I am glad I learnt the circle of 4ths and 5ths Let it Be

[@user-od7nb8ey1c]

Most helpful … I see it clearly .. thank you

[@sandrocavali9810]

Thank you and... Hallelujah

[@jimkangas4176]

Love this approach. I'm a long time guitar player who now does some piano. I am amazed at how much piano players are taught with voice leading from the get-go. Not common with guitar although you learn it eventually.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thank you for sharing your insights from the perspective of a guitar player transitioning to the piano! It's fascinating to see how different instruments approach the same musical concepts in varied ways.

[@dlburn1483]

This video was soooo helpful to me!!! I was ready to give up playing from lead sheets due to never knowing which inversion to use. I just couldn’t make sense of how to decide and was thinking I had met my pinnacle of my piano journey and should look for another hobby. This video has totally given me the confidence to continue on. I can actually play some of my lead sheets with very little effort. It’s like the light bulb turned on and the chords are making much more sense to me! I made myself quit having fun at the keyboard to say “Thank you so very much”. You also have one new subscriber. 😊

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

That's great to hear! I'm glad you found this helpful.

[@jorgeparr3002]

This is POWERFUL STUFF SIR🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR🎉😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

I'm glad it's helping!!

[@kasiaitomekfotografia5621]

Thank you for that lesson! Appreciate it!

[@charlesphish100]

Very good lesson. This is just what I was looking for. Thanks.

[@starros1]

I'm glad I found you. I look forward to your Resource pack. Thank you!

[@amandabouskill4982]

Thank you! Enlightening!

[@bunnyhollowcrafts]

That was fabulous!!!

[@IDontTalkToCops]

Thanks 👍

[@ChanokchaiChauychoo]

Great lesson to be better pianist

[@mihir1425]

Cannot thank you enough ❤ seriously eye opening tutorial

[@liriosanz]

Impecable

[@carlospena2622]

Incredible

[@CherryChauParis]

Absolutely an eye opener! Fantastic! Thank you so very much!

[@k.rantony8900]

Best demonstration class Thanks 🙏

[@seyibasorun5575]

Another eye opener for me today..many thanks for sharing

[@kathleencook3060]

Brilliant. Clearly explained and well demonstrated. Thank you so much. I am definitely going to check out you new 8 module Course. You are such a good teacher.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

I'm thrilled to hear that you found the explanation clear and the demonstration helpful! It's my aim to make complex concepts understandable and accessible to all learners.

[@adrianavazquez69]

Muchas gracias por tus videos!! Muy claros y sencillos para principiantes!! 😊

[@lionelcampos9868]

Thank you 🙏 so much God Bless

[@qldsafari]

This is absolutely brilliant!

[@Rocadamis]

Really helpful. Thank you.

[@georgebielous1881]

Thanks

[@hanankhalifa2589]

😳 thank you so so much

[@rhelfand]

I just wanted to thank you. This was a very clear and easy to understand explanation of the relationship between chords and inversions! "Finger language." 🤯

[@richard135b7]

I'm truly amazed everytime I watch one of your tutorials. And this one is no exception. Your level of teaching is at the highest tier/ top-shelf. You approach a subject with awesome insight that no one else offers. I've spent a small fortune on half a dozen piano courses in last year so I tell myself I don't need anymore. But then I see one of your videos and think maybe one more; your tutorials are weakening me : )

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

That's very kind of you to say, Richard. When people have oversubscribed to courses, I'm often hesitant to recommend ours. Though our approach does have a different take and artistic/holistic methodology, when it's information overload, I appreciate it's overwhelming! You might actually benefit from our shorter one-to-one coaching programs, what we can do with students on an individual basis, goes far beyond what is here on KZbin. We conduct detailed learning profiles first and find missing pieces and many opportunities in your own playing as well as fully optimize the info overload! Here is one of our diagnostic questionnaires, (no obligations are attached because of our waiting list) applylcp.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com/application-form-2/

[@edgarsnake2857]

Thanks, Tom.

[@randyschmuki3173]

I ❤it! This feels great! You are a fantastic teacher!

[@tboyentertainment7460]

Smart way to teach invasion I really appreciate it thanks

[@olivierbrionne9302]

Very interesting thanks so much !

[@TheArmkill]

This is excellent

[@leeclarke8993]

Thanks!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thankyou very much appreciated. Reach out to me at [e-mail], we have a little treat to say thank you for your support.

[@hansschuster422]

Danke!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thankyou very much appreciated. Reach out to me at [e-mail], we have a little treat to say thank you for your support.

[@RonLWilson]

Great video! I already knew much of this (having long ago figured much of that out on my own), but the notation you made with the red arrows on the chord sheets was totally new to me, something that I think will really be helpful in the future when playing from chord symbols! Thanks!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thank you for your feedback! I'm glad to hear that you found the notation with the red arrows helpful. Visual cues can be a great aid in understanding and remembering musical concepts. It sounds like you've done a fantastic job figuring things out on your own, and I hope that these added tools will only enhance your understanding and skills. Using visual aids like these can indeed make playing from chord symbols more intuitive and efficient.

[@hollyt73]

Mind: blown Thank you!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Glad it helped!

[@afihaileywibowo1095]

Dear Tom, it is very helpful to learn this chord inversion techniques from you. Right now, I don't know yet when I will be able to join the LCSP Masterclass but it is now surely firmly on my mind!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

I'm so pleased to hear that you found the chord inversion techniques useful! They're a fundamental part of playing the piano and can really open up your playing once mastered.

[@robertpien8708]

Great way to let are fingers feel and hear the music which can help use music theory in a useful way . This helps us chunk this down to really put hands on practice in the universe of music theory. Ty so much

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jorgeparr3002]

Truly appreciate your help and your " practical" way of teaching CHORD INVERSIONS 🎉 THANK YOU SO ÒOOOOOOO MUCH SIR 😊

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dharmendrathacker165]

Superb superb sir 👍 So nicely and perfectly you have taught. I liked it so much 🙏👍👌 God bless you and your family and your team 🙏

[@gav1nall3n]

Thanks. Quality.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thank you very much Gavin for your kind donation. We have a gift for you, just drop us an email at [e-mail]

[@MrBPDude]

Interesting to see these transitions. But another level of complexity for beginner pianist is also the fingering. How do you actually play the chords. Lifting two notes doesn't simply imply shifting two fingers.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

I would suggest two options. Use the SAME fingering on each chord (1 3 5) when you feel comfortable with that you can also alternate 1 2 4 on the root chord and on the inversion 1 3 5.

[@georgeparreno]

AWESOME!!!!!!!! THANK YOU AIR!!!!!!! ( IMAGINE???) JUST A GUESS...

[@rebanelson607]

Excellent lesson - subscribing!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Welcome aboard!

[@SuperJamesus]

Fantasic i wish i had this lesson years ago. New sub and fan here. Going to get the course 🎉

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

This was too cool. I've been trying this but it isn't automatic yet, but it's easier than it was a year ago. I would use the key of C in one hand as I practiced in other keys until I got the pattern.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

It sounds like you're making excellent progress! The fact that you're finding it easier than a year ago is a testament to your dedication and practice. Your strategy of using the key of C in one hand while practicing other keys is a smart way to internalize the patterns.

[@hernod8501]

Great teacher! Suscribed

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Welcome aboard!

[@josephmartino9958]

Pachelbel's Canon...I used to play it on the bass guitar in a guitar group, various voice leadings thru the changes was always within intuitive reach, it would just happen

[@BraddersMusic]

Sounds like an extract from Streets Of London by Ralph McTell

[@keithrichardstaunton]

🙏

[@Multipleimaging]

Finally, someone explains it in a way I understand. Do you know if there’s an app available that will tell me what chords I’m playing on my acoustic piano please? Thank you.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

I'm not aware of any software that can do that but there is great software that achieve this by digital means. I use Classroom Maestro for these tutorials. It's not perfect but it's one of the best ones on the market.

[@eugenenoordpool6377]

9:16

[@Ramaprabhu]

very nice lesson and a great eye opener. i have a question. you are showing only right hand for practice. but can i use tge same approch using left hand since most of the time we play chords mostly in left hand. thank you

[@adriandrake4208]

Isn’t a line to a line third or fifth?! Can you clear this one up, as I may have misunderstood. This lesson is tremendously helpful

[@misspiya23]

Canon in C 😊

[@marthaworc7873]

Is the scoring in the beginning Lyle Mays?

[@manueldubigeon]

hello Thanks for those great tricks... What software do you use to monitor the chords on screen ?

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Classroom Maestro.

[@manueldubigeon]

thank you so much @@contemporaryschoolofpiano

[@richardgreenwood6474]

Paco Bell Cannon

[@rachelsmename6]

Does this work differently if you like to play the melody note on top for solo piano playing?

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes - if you are arranging the melody and integrating that with the chords, your decisions about which inversions to use would have to be different.

[@johnletitia]

Is there a way to make a free PDF of this type of practice? I see explanations of chord inversions/ voicings everywhere on KZbin and the internet, but no one covers how to do this skill inside of actual chord progressions like you were showing here! thank you very much!

[@KevinMcC-xs8di]

It would be nice if you used a platform / app where we can go and put your great videos into practice. For example: Piano Marvel

[@richardblocher599]

Pachelbel Cannon.

[@hermancheung4754]

Can the similar way of thinking apply to inversion of diatonic 7 chord?

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Very very good question! Yes, to some extent. For instance, you practice a Dm7 to G7 (play the Dm7 in root D F A C, and drop the top two notes for the G7 (D F G B) that would be considered one possible universal pattern, a minor 7th to a dominant 7th, where you could use an effective inversion: BUT when you start dealing with inversions with 7th chords, all sorts of new exciting opportunities emerge, adding 9th notes becomes much easier, rootless chords and other variations are just under your fingertips, so using similar methods as we are here to think in shape, and train our muscle memory, we can start to play some very exciting chords. We cover much of this in our Complete Musician Piano Essentials Course, if you'd like to know more just contact us via our website www.contemporaryschooloofpiano.com

[@billhasty5197]

Tom, is the chord sequence from an old Pachelbel piece.??? I don't remember the name. Played it in my youth. lol That's my partial guess.

[@keithbutler2222]

In response to the descending progression :-) >>kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJXbnImHrpyEgq8

[@julieanderson100]

Pachelbel's Cannon (in C)?

[@johngilbert184]

I find inversions gets much stickier when it is seventh chords. Any good strategies for simplifying this?

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes, we have a video on that, it's called Advanced Jazz Chords, highly recommended! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn6beJWPlJppjMk

[@ericlubisse8461]

Canon in D Pachebel?

[@DJlamoun]

How do you play a 4 chord inversion?

[@gerardorodriguez8137]

The cannon in D

[@peterconnolly2724]

I was always taught that when I played an inversion, the bass would be part of the inversion - e.g you play a C/G with a C in the bass, then G-C-E, but I was taught that it would be a G in the bass, then C-E-G (or any right-hand inversion, E-G-C or G-C-E). Am I incorrect?

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes you are right in the sense this is a classical theorical analysis, which is that an inversion starts with the bass (the left hand) in popular music notation that would be C/E as you said. This masterclass is about how to use inversions in the right hand to create smoother arrangements between right hand chord movements. Even if the bass is playing the root - we can still refer to a right hand chord as an inversion or root chord. It's just the right hand we are referring too in this case - which is where chords are often played in Popular Contemporary Piano music. Hope this makes sense.

[@peterconnolly2724]

@@contemporaryschoolofpiano Yes, it makes a lot of sense - thank you. At least I don't have to change my learning around when I play bass instead of keys! Just found this channel, and it matches very well with the way I play (except in skill level, obviously) - looking forward to watching more videos.

[@cherylnathanodette]

Who knew, as a starter who doesn't read music this made perfect sense, amazing extremely grateful.

[@robertolazary2807]

The Canon in D from Pachelbel

[@jasonbourne488]

I didn't see the chord sheet you were using in the resources pack.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Hi Jason send us an email and we will look into this.

[@markheddleson2068]

Im noticing some chords have 2 or more names. Example, Am6 and F inversion. Why is that ?

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes so technically an Am6 has an F# in it - so it's not the same as an F major7. But a few chords do have crossovers. C6 for instance is an inversion of Am7 and vice versa. The bass note would decide what you call it. The biggest example of this are diminished 7th because they invert onto each other. That means Cdim7 is the same as Ebdim7 is the same as F#dim7 is the same as Adim7. In this case we follow the bass. (Hey that rhymed!!)

[@cleonemusician217]

These presentations are next level, thank you. The email address is being misinterpreted by me?? Not sure why.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Contact us as [e-mail] if you need any help with anything!

[@stuartbyron9675]

Canon in D