Grade 4: Chords and Triads
A chord is an arrangement of two or more notes, usually three.
A triad is a special type of chord. There are major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads. We shall deal only with major and minor chords in this section.
The major triad has an interval of a major 3rd and perfect 5th, counting both from the bottom note.
The minor triad has an interval of a minor 3rd and perfect 5th, counting both from the bottom note.
Which of the following are major triads? Which of the following are minor triads?
Look at the example below.
The C major scale uses the notes C-D-E-F-G-A-B. If we write triads on some of these notes, they would look like these.
We say C-E-G is the tonic triad of C major because it is based on the tonic of the scale.
We say F-A-C is the subdominant triad of C major because it is based on the subdominant of the scale.
We say G-B-C is the dominant triad of C major because it is based on the dominant of the scale.
Write the tonic, subdominant and dominant triads of the C minor scale.
A triad is a special type of chord. There are major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads. We shall deal only with major and minor chords in this section.
The major triad has an interval of a major 3rd and perfect 5th, counting both from the bottom note.
The minor triad has an interval of a minor 3rd and perfect 5th, counting both from the bottom note.
Which of the following are major triads? Which of the following are minor triads?
Look at the example below.
The C major scale uses the notes C-D-E-F-G-A-B. If we write triads on some of these notes, they would look like these.
We say C-E-G is the tonic triad of C major because it is based on the tonic of the scale.
We say F-A-C is the subdominant triad of C major because it is based on the subdominant of the scale.
We say G-B-C is the dominant triad of C major because it is based on the dominant of the scale.
Write the tonic, subdominant and dominant triads of the C minor scale.
