triads
Chords and triads
Two or more intervals sounding together form a chord. The pitches in a chord usually sound all at once, but they may also appear in sucession. Three-note chords that can be represented at two-thirds, one above the other, are called triads.
Spread out notes are arpeggiated.
When triads are spelled in thirds, the interval between the lowest pitch (the root) and the highest (the fifth) is a fifth. The middle pitch, the third, lies a third above the root. When the root is in the lowest-sounding voice, the triad is in root position.
The major triad has a M3 between its root and third and a m3 between its third and fifth, while the minor triad has the opposite - a m3 between root and third and a M3 on the top.
The diminished triad is made up of two minor thirds and a d5, and the augmented triad two major thirds and an A5.
Triads are named with the letter name of their root combined with their quality, or abbreviated so that the capital letter name alone stands for major; an added small "m" stands for minor.
Spread out notes are arpeggiated.
When triads are spelled in thirds, the interval between the lowest pitch (the root) and the highest (the fifth) is a fifth. The middle pitch, the third, lies a third above the root. When the root is in the lowest-sounding voice, the triad is in root position.
The major triad has a M3 between its root and third and a m3 between its third and fifth, while the minor triad has the opposite - a m3 between root and third and a M3 on the top.
The diminished triad is made up of two minor thirds and a d5, and the augmented triad two major thirds and an A5.
Triads are named with the letter name of their root combined with their quality, or abbreviated so that the capital letter name alone stands for major; an added small "m" stands for minor.
*Important side note: Roman numerals are a handy way of labeling both chord's scale-degree position and its quality: a capital numeral indicates a major triad, and a lowercase numeral a minor triad. For dimished triads, add a small raised (superscript) circle to the lowercase numeral; for augmented traids, add a small + to te capital numeral. When using roman numerals always indicate the key to the left.
Triad inversions
If the root of a triad is the bass, the triad is in root position. Otherwise, the triad is in inversion.
-If the third is the bass, the triad is in first inversion.
-If the fifth is the bass, the triad is in second inversion.
*Important side note: To identify the root of an inverted chord, look for the interval of a fourth. The upper note of the fourth is the root.
-If the third is the bass, the triad is in first inversion.
-If the fifth is the bass, the triad is in second inversion.
*Important side note: To identify the root of an inverted chord, look for the interval of a fourth. The upper note of the fourth is the root.