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Chapter 7-Triads

Triads are three-note chords built from thirds. Major triads contain a major third and a minor third, built on scale degrees 1, 4, and 5. Minor triads contain two minor thirds, built on scale degrees 2, 3, and 6. Diminished triads contain two minor thirds and are built on scale degree 7. Triads can appear in root position or one of two inverted positions. Figured bass notation specifies the intervals above the bass note to indicate triad type and inversion.

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456 views

Chapter 7-Triads

Triads are three-note chords built from thirds. Major triads contain a major third and a minor third, built on scale degrees 1, 4, and 5. Minor triads contain two minor thirds, built on scale degrees 2, 3, and 6. Diminished triads contain two minor thirds and are built on scale degree 7. Triads can appear in root position or one of two inverted positions. Figured bass notation specifies the intervals above the bass note to indicate triad type and inversion.

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Triads

Chapter 7
Chords & Triads
Triads-3 or more note chords

When triads are spelled in thirds, the lowest


interval is the Root and the highest pitch is the
Fifth. The Third is the middle note right above
the root

When the root is in the bottom is is considered in


Root Position

Triads in the Major Scale

Major Triads are built on scale degrees, 1, 4, & 5. They are built by having
a M3 with a m3 on top of it.

Minor Triads are built on scale degrees, 2,3, & 6. They are built by having
a m3 with a M3 on top of it.

Diminished Triad is built on scale degree 7. It is made up of two m3’s on


top of each other

Triad Qualities in Minor Keys

Major Triads; 3, 5, 6, & 7

Minor Triads; 1, 4, 5

Diminished Triads; 2 & 7

Augmented Triad (rarely encountered); 3, but only when the b7 is


raised

Spelling Triads
Method #1

A) Identify the white key triads;

Major;1,4,5

Minor; 2,3,6

Diminished: 7

Spelling Triads
Method #1

B) Triads in 1,4,5 remain major if all accidentals


match.

To make it minor lower the third a half step,


without changing the letter name

To change to an augmented triad, raise the


fth one chromatic half step
fi

Spelling Triads
Method #1

C) Triads 2,3,6 remain minor if all accidentals


match

To make it a major triad raise the 3rd up a


half step

To change to a diminished triad, lower the


5th a half step

Spelling Triads
Method #1

D) The diminished 7 triad remains the same if


all accidentals match

to make a minor triad, raise the 5th up a


half step

To make a major triad, raise both the


3rd and the 5th up a half step

Spelling Triads
Method #2
1) Write the Root of the Triad

2)Write the 5th about the root, Major or Minor write a P5 for a diminished
triad write a d5 an augmented write a A5

Write the 3rd about the root. For Major and Augmented write a M3, for
minor and dim write a m3

Major Triad is built M3 with a m3 on top

Minor is built m3 with a M3 on top

Diminished is 2 m3

Augmented is 2 M3

Spelling Triads
Method #3
Think of Key Signatures

For a major triad, think of the root and write 1,3,5

For a minor triad, think of the root and write 1, b3,5

For a diminished triad lower the 5th a half step of a


minor triad

For an Augmented triad raise the 5th a half step of a


major triad

Scale-Degree Triads in Tonal


Context
Not all scale degrees are
equal!!

I and V Triads are the most


common chords

For Theory here,

NEVER USE
iii

Triad Inversions
If the triad is not in root position, it is considered
inverted

Be careful not to confuse the terms “Root” and “Bass”

Any member of the triad can be in root position

If the 3rd is in the bass, the triad is in 1st inversion

If the 5th is in the bass, the triad is in 2nd inversion

Triad Inversions
2nd inversion is the weakest of the inversions

Never use it in a position of functional harmonic


strength, i.e. last chord

This is because of the 4th between the bass note


and the next interval

Look and listen to Bach’s, “O Haupt voll Blut und


Wunden” on pg 147.

Triads in Pop Music

Lead-Sheet Notation has chord symbols above the melody


line. This is read by keyboard, bass, & other pop jazz
combo players

Lead sheets may show both chord type and TAB meaning
tablature, a traditional method of notation for lute & Guitar

Figured Bass
Recitative was a style in the
Baroque era which features
quick-moving vocal part with
chordal accompaniment
notated in Figured Bass

Figured Bass consists of a


bass line with numbers written
under representing the
intervals to be played above
each bass note

Figured Bass

Root position chords are


indicated with the number
5&3

This chord can be played


many different ways

Figured Bass

When the triad is in First


Inversion, it will be
represented by a 6 & 3

Many times will only be


listed as a 6

Figured Bass

In second inversion,
Figured bass will be listed
as a 6 & 4

This is the least common


inversion because of the
4th between the bass and
next note, G-C

Figured Bass
Now let’s learn a little something from Captain
Broccoli

A practice that was employed in the Baroque


era

Almost the same way sheet music is used today

Always use intervals that is diatonic to the key

Adding Accidentals
Accidentals can be used by themselves or next
to the gured bass numbers

If it is by itself, it refers to the 3rd above the bass

It next to the number, you alter that note

Slash through the note means sharpen it, but


not commonly used
fi

Terms to know…
Chord Lead-Sheet notation
Root
Tablature (TAB)
Third
Triad
Fifth
Major
Figured bass
Minor
inversion

rst inversion
Augmented

second inversion Diminished


fi

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