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7th chord inversions

Inversions of 7th chords are basically the same as those of triads. Because 7th chords contain one more note than does a triad, there is a 3rd inversion of 7th chords in which the seventh of the chord is the lowest sounding pitch. Following are several 7th chords that are written and spaced in various ways. Which of them are in root position, and which are in inversion? It is helpful to rewrite each chord in close root position (all four notes on adjacent lines or adjacent spaces) in order to determine which note of the chord is its root.

We refer to a 7th chord's position as follows:

Root position The root is the lowest pitch. 1st inversion The 3rd is the lowest pitch. 2nd inversion The 5th is the lowest pitch. 3rd inversion The 7th is the lowest pitch.

Notice that there is no specific arrangement of the pitches above the lowest-sounding note. It is only the lowest-sounding pitch that determines the position of the chord. Also, the first chord of each example is considered in close position (all four notes lie within an octave); the second chord of each example is in open position (the four notes are spread more than one octave).