SWARSHALA — ROOT, BASS AND INVERSION WORKSHEET
Original learning aid, 3 October 2026.
Guide: https://swarshala.com/blog/understand-root-bass-and-chord-inversions
Scope: sounding pitches, non-transposing or concert-pitch score. C4 is middle C. Do not infer lowest pitch from typed-list order.

METHOD
1. Preserve actual octave-labelled pitches; find lowest.
2. On a separate identity line, arrange pitch classes in thirds.
3. Record root / triad quality / actual bass / bass role / position.

WORKED COMPARISON
A:E3 G3 C4. B:E2 C4 G4. C:E3 C4 E4 G4.
Which chord and inversion do all three share?
What changes in B and C?

CLASSIFY
1:A3 D4 F4
2:C4 F3 A3
3:B3 G2 D4
4:F4 D3 A3 D4
5:A2 G3 B3 D4, explicitly labelled G/A
For each, record the five fields above.

SLASH COMPARISON
C/E example E3 G3 C4:
C/D example D3 C4 E4 G4:
Why is only one a standard triad inversion?

ANSWER KEY
A/B/C:C major, first inversion, bass E. B is open-spaced; C doubles E.
1:D minor,bass A3,fifth,second inversion.
2:F major,bass F3,root,root position.
3:G major,bass G2,root,root position.
4:D minor,bass D3,root,root position; D is doubled.
5:G-major triad over A2; A is outside the triad, so not a standard G-triad inversion.
C/E:E is C's third, first inversion. C/D:D is outside C E G, not a standard C-triad inversion.
Slash symbols do not specify every octave, voicing or fingering.