How can the ear tell what the root is and what type of chord it is?
“When chords (esp. 4 note) are put in inversions how can the ear tell what the root is and what type of chord it is? for example: an Am 7 in the 1st inversion sounds like a CMaj6.” You might be able to determine the chord root from the musical context in which it is used. However, the Am7 chord with C in the bass could also be named as C Maj6 when heard without a chord progression around it. A similar situation occurs with the minor 6th chord and the half diminished, for example dm7b5 and fm6. In a piece of music the key and chord progression will often point to the most logical use of the chord. However, you cannot count on sheet music chord symbols to be the best guide to this. So often the symbols might show an easy way to play the chord on the guitar, but not the most logical use of the chord. When you study harmonic progressions with Roman numeral analysis and figured bass you will begin to see the logic the harmonic rhythm. From that you can begin to understand how to reharmonize
