Triads

CHORD A chord is the simultaneous sounding of three or more notes. TRIAD A triad is the basic, 3-note chord-form from which most chords are derived, and to which they can be reduced. Triads have a very specific structure: Triad Structure Note that is a 5th above root (fifth) Note that is a 3rd above root (third) ROOT TRIAD STRUCTURE

ROOT

The root is simply the note upon which a particular triad is constructed. In its pure form, or root position, the root is the lowest - or bass - note of the triad. Any note at all - including sharped or flatted notes - can be used as a root for a triad. The middle note of a triad is a note found at an interval of a 3rd above the root. Because its a 3rd above the root, this note is called the third (of the triad). The top note of a triad is a note found at an interval of a 5th above the root. Its therefore called the fifth (of the triad). Every triad has a root, third and fifth, and is formed in this way.

THIRD

FIFTH

We shall see how the terms third and fifth - as chord members - remain, even when a triad is altered in ways that cause a change in the actual intervals between those chord members. Triads, built on different roots

E (fifth) C (third) 3rd A (root) 5th 3rd

G (fifth) E (third) C (root) Michael Leibson, 2010 www.thinkingmusic.ca 5th 3rd

B (fifth) G (third) E (root) 5th

TRIAD QUALITY Thirds Because 3rds - as intervals - can be major or minor, the thirds of triads can be found at both major or minor 3rds above the root:
E (fifth) C (third) 5th E (fifth) C# (third) 5th

minor 3rd
A (root)

major 3rd
A (root)

This means there can be two types of triad: 1. Triads with a major 3rd between root and third 2. Triads with a minor 3rd between root and third. Fifths Because 5ths - as intervals - can be perfect, diminished or augmented, the fifths of triads can be found at perfect, diminished or augmented 5ths above the root:
E (fifth) C (third) 3rd A (root) Eb (fifth) E# (fifth) C# (third) 3rd A (root) A (root)

perfect 5th
3rd

diminished C (third) 5th

augmented 5th

This means there can be three more types of triad: 1. Triads with a perfect 5th between root and fifth 2. Triads with a diminished 5th between root and fifth. 3. Triads with an augmented 5th between root and fifth. Combinations of Thirds and Fifths Combining all types of 3rds and 5ths, six types of triads are possible. Of these, only four are used: THE FOUR TRIAD QUALITIES Triads are classified according to triad quality, which distinguishes triads according to the types of 3rds and 5ths they contain. The four triad qualities are major, minor, diminished and augmented - the same terms used for intervals: MAJOR perfect 5th major 3rd ROOT MINOR perfect 5th minor 3rd ROOT DIMINISHED diminished 5th minor 3rd ROOT AUGMENTED augmented 5th major 3rd ROOT

Michael Leibson, 2010 www.thinkingmusic.ca