Double inverted chord?
When we take an open D chord (D-F?-A) and we add the open A to the chord, we would have second inversion as A is the fifth in the chord. The chord would be noted as D/A.
If we were to add the 2nd fret on the low E to the chord (which is an F? note), and still mute the open A, we would have first inversion as F? is the third in the chord. This would be noted D/F?.
Now, if we play first inversion, and add in the open A, how would we notate that? The chord would still be a D chord as we only still just have the notes D, F?, and A. It would still be first inversion as the third, or F?, is still the bass note. The curveball here is that there is now a fifth (A) between the bass note and the root of the chord. How do we show this?
(5)5 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
You would show it in notation, tab, or by verbal description. Chord symbols tell us what chord, what inversion. They tell us nothing about voicing.
I gather you're talking about a specific voicing of a D Major chord in its first inversion, not "open D" (usually the root and the 5th).
If you want the performer to play the F#-A-D that are closest to one another I would recommend including the chord symbol D/F# and either giving an instruction to play a "closed chord" (maybe "closed chord on 4th, 5th, 6th strings) or inserting a fret board example that shows the exact notes and frets to be played.
Check out drop tuning.Drop 2 chords. Drop 4 chords. Particularly useful for guitarists playing jazz and comping, and only wishing to play 3 or 4 strings. The fingering is kept fairly simple, and each voicing can be achieved. Thus the F#DA (1st inv.) can be played F#AD (still 1st inv.) but using drop tuning, nothing to do with downtuning, each different voicing of a particular chord can be played and specified. Gets a bit more complex with 4 and 5 note chords, obviously.
As I understand, your question is asking whether the following two chords, built from the bottom up, are the same:
F? D A
F? A D
And yes, they're the same chord, but the voicing is different. They're both D chords in first inversion.
Only the lowest note determines the inversion. If F# is the lowest note, it's first inversion and D/F# no matter what else is in the chord.
The way the other notes of the chord are arranged is called the voicing. So having the open A is one voicing, without the open A is a different voicing, but they are both the same inversion if the lowest note doesn't change.
I don't know of any way to specify a voicing with the chord name alone. You have to use fretboard diagrams, score, or tab to do that.
Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2026 All Rights reserved.