In music, inverting refers to the process of moving the bottom note from a specific group, up by an octave. When you invert an interval the new interval changes. This may sound complicated at first, but it’s actually not as these changes follow a certain set of simple rules as outlined below:
Let’s now look at an example of inverting intervals to clarify how these rules should be followed:
If you are familiar with the previous lesson, specific intervals, then you will be able to see that the interval before the inversion is a diminished fourth, as it is a fourth with 4 semitones difference. Now, according to the set of rules outlined in the first illustration, a fourth will always invert to a fifth and a diminished will always invert to an augmented. Therefore we can determine that if we invert a diminished fourth it’ll in fact end up as an augmented fifth.
- Want to improve your guitar playing?
These lessons have been written by me, a guitar enthuthiast. I've written them to the best of my abilities, but I'm no guitar teacher!
If you want award-winning, well structured but inexpensive lessons, I strongly recommend you check out Guitar Tricks. They have great range of video guitar lessons from numerous coaches specialising in a wide range of styles.
I've seen their videos, and they're great. With these guys, I'm confident you'll be improving in no time!