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Often, a chord spans more than one octave, reusing the same set of notes in a higher octave. For example, C2 E2 G2 C3 E3 is 5 notes, but all 5 notes are found in the C major triad. This is still a C Major chord.
== Writing Conventions ==
C
Cm
Cdim
C+
== Inversions ==
Usually, the root note of the chord is also the lowest-pitched note, or bass note. This gives a strong harmonic foundation where the intervals created by the other notes can be clearly heard and felt. However, the third or fifth can also be the lowest-pitched bass note. This is called an ''inversion''. Inversions are numbered by the bass note's occurrence in the chord.
{|class="wikitable"
! Inversion !! Lowest Note
|-
| 0th (no Root Position || Root|-| 1st Inversion || Third|-| 2nd Inversion || Fifth|} 2nd inversion doesn't sound/feel terribly different from root position, while 1st inversion) is clearly different but still retains much of the feel of root position. Really, we classify them as the same chord - whether its C E G, E G C, or G C E, it's a C Major chord. === Why Invert? ===So what's the point of using an inverted chord vs. root position? This mainly deals with voice leading, which can get a little advanced. Basically, even if an instrument is used in a strictly harmonic function, each note of a chord being played should be treated as an individual voice, as though it were one person in a chorus. When changing chords, each voice can keep the same pitch, move higher, or move lower. Classical voice leading has a number of guidelines to make transitions smooth, natural, and pleasant. They highlight the harmonic content of the change moreso than the pitch changes. Let's look at some chord changes, trying to use as little movement as possible for each voice. {|class="wikitable"|-! Root Position Chord !! New Chord !! Movement !! Inversion of New Chord|-| C: C E G || Em: B E G || C moves 1 half step to B || 2nd Inversion|-| C: C E G || Am: C E A || G moves 1 whole step to A || root1st Inversion
|-
| 1st C: C E G || thirdF: C F A || E moves 1 half step to F, G moves 1 whole step to A || 2nd Inversion
|-
| 2nd C: C E G || fifthG: B D G || C moves 1 half step to B, E moves 1 whole step to D || 1st Inversion
|}