TRIADS - Triads are three note chords, which can be notated as two stacked thirds. Chords that can't be rearranged in thirds are NOT triads (i.e. C D E or C F B)
- Traditional triads use only major and minor thirds.
- The bottom note is called: root
- the middle note: third
- The top note: fifth
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There are four possible combinations: | Thirds | Triad | Fifth | | M-m | Major - (M) | Perfect | | m-M | Minor - (m) | Perfect | | m-m | Diminished - (°) | Diminished | | M-M | Augmented - (+) | Augmented |
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INVERSIONS
- When the chord is notated as two thirds it is in root position - (Do - Mi - Sol)
- When it is a third and a fourth it is in first inversion - (Mi - Sol - Do)
- When it is a fourth and a third it is in second inversion - (Sol - Do - Mi)
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| Major Triad | | Position | lower interval | upper interval | Outer interval | | Root Position | M3 | m3 | P5 | | First Inversion | m3 | p4 | m6 | | Second Inversion | P4 | M3 | M6 | | Minor Triad | | Root Position | m3 | M3 | P5 | | First Inversion | M3 | P4 | M6 | | Second Inversion | P4 | m3 | m6 | | Diminished | | Root Position | m3 | m3 | °5 | | First Inversion | m3 | +4 | M6 | | Second Inversion | +4 | m3 | M6 | | Augmented | | Root Position | M3 | M3 | +5 | | First Inversion | M3 | °4 | m6 | | Second Inversion | °4 | M3 | m6 | | Position | lower interval | upper interval | Outer interval |
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IDENTIFYING TRIADS
- Identify all of the notes in the chord
- Eliminate any duplicates
- Rearrange the notes in close position and stacked in thirds
- At this point it is possible to identify the quality of the triad
- Now look at the original spacing and determine which note (root, third or fifth) is the lowest. This will determine the inversion (root, first, second)
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