Piano Chords for Singers · Part 1
Chord inversions: complete ten chords, then learn the English words musicians use to talk about them
Akkordumkehrungen: zehn Akkorde vervollständigen und die englischen Fachbegriffe dazu lernen
1 How Inversions Work
So funktionieren Umkehrungen
A triad has three notes: the root, the third and the fifth. The lowest note you play is the bass note. When you move the bottom note to the top, you get an inversion. The chord name stays the same.
Ein Dreiklang besteht aus Grundton, Terz und Quinte. Wandert der tiefste Ton nach oben, entsteht eine Umkehrung – der Akkord bleibt derselbe.
Root position
GrundstellungThe root is in the bass.
1st inversion
1. Umkehrung (Sextakkord)The third is in the bass.
2nd inversion
2. Umkehrung (Quartsextakkord)The fifth is in the bass.
Englisch B = deutsch H · Englisch B flat = deutsch B
2 Complete the Chord
Vervollständigen Sie den Akkord
The notes are listed from the bass upwards. Choose the missing top note. You get one try per chord.
Die Töne stehen von unten nach oben. Wählen Sie den fehlenden obersten Ton – ein Versuch pro Akkord.
3 Music English
Musik-Englisch
| English | Deutsch | Example |
|---|---|---|
| chord | Akkord | Play a C major chord. |
| triad | Dreiklang | A triad has three notes. |
| root | Grundton | The root of Am is A. |
| third / fifth | Terz / Quinte | C is the third of Am. |
| bass note | Basston | Keep the bass note low and steady. |
| root position | Grundstellung | Start in root position. |
| first / second inversion | erste / zweite Umkehrung | Try F in first inversion. |
| major / minor | Dur / Moll | G major sounds bright; E minor sounds darker. |
| sharp ♯ / flat ♭ | Kreuz (-is) / b (-es) | F sharp = Fis · E flat = Es |
| voicing | Lage, Stimmführung | This voicing sits well under the melody. |
Say it aloud
- “D minor, second inversion” – not “D minor two”.
- “F sharp” /ef ʃɑːp/ and “B flat” /biː flæt/.
- “Could you play the chord in first inversion, please?”
4 Why Singers Need This
Warum das für Sängerinnen und Sänger wichtig ist
Smoother accompaniment
Inversions keep your hand in one place, so chord changes are quieter and easier while you sing.
Find your note
The top note of a chord is often your starting pitch. Knowing the voicing helps you pitch it.
Talk to musicians
In English rehearsals you will hear “root position” and “first inversion”. Now you know what they mean.
Play each chord slowly, say its name in English, then sing the top note.
Langsam spielen, auf Englisch benennen, den obersten Ton singen.
Next: Part 2 →