Minor chord inversions on the bass guitar work on the same premise as major chord inversions. Here, you will be walked through playing the inversions for the C minor chord. You can use these same patterns for any minor chord inversion. In these examples, the octave is added 1to the C minor triad, so you play four notes — root, ♭ó3, 5, and octave (C-E♭ó-G-C) — rather than three.
Here, you see the C minor chord with the root C in the bass, or root position. This chord is spelled C-E♭ó-G-C. Begin with the C on the 8th fret of the E string, and be sure to keep your hand in position.
To play the 1st inversion, find the 3rd of the C minor chord, the E♭ó. Position your middle finger on the E♭ó, which is on the 6th fret of the A string. Follow the grid in and play the C minor chord starting with the 3rd in the bass.
The chord is now E♭ó-G-C-E♭ó. E♭ó is in the bass, but C is still the root of the chord. No matter where you are or what chord you play, don’t lose sight of your root.
For the 2nd inversion, find the 5th of the C minor chord, the G. The G is on the 10th fret of the A string. Follow the grid and keep your hand in position. Your chord is now G-C-E♭ó-G. G is in the bass, but C is still the root of the chord.
