Triadic Qualities and Listening to Triads As Example 3 shows, the lowest note of a triad is called the root, the middle note is called the third (a generic third above the root), and the highest note is called the fifth (a generic fifth above the root). A triad with the root, third, and fifth labeled.Ĭolloquially, when a triad is stacked in this fashion, we might call this “snowperson form,” but the official term is root position this is explored more in the chapter titled Inversion and Figured Bass. Two triads, shown melodically and harmonically. Just as a snowperson consists of a bottom, middle, and head, a triad consists of lowest, middle, and upper notes.Įxample 1. When a triad is stacked in its most compact form (measures 2 and 4 of Example 1), it looks like a snowperson (see Example 2). A triad can always be “stacked” so that its notes are either on all lines or all spaces. The first triad is on three adjacent spaces, while the second triad is on three adjacent lines. Example 1 shows two triads, each written both melodically and harmonically. The three notes of a triad can always be arranged in thirds. Triads are identified by their root, quality, and inversion.These are the same in every major and minor key, which makes memorizing them useful.

Within major and minor keys, triads have particular qualities that correspond to scale degree.You may see other abbreviations in other contexts (a more exhaustive list is given in the Chord Symbols chapter). Minor triads have a lowercase “mi” after the letter, diminished triads have a superscript circle ( o), and augmented triads have a plus sign (+).

In chord symbols, major triads are represented with capital letters that correspond to the triad’s root.

A diminished triad's third is minor and its fifth is diminished, while an augmented triad's third is major and its fifth is augmented. A major triad's third is major and its fifth is perfect, while a minor triad's third is minor and its fifth is perfect.

When a triad is stacked in its most compact form in thirds, the lowest note is called the root, the middle note is called the third, and the highest note is called the fifth.

A triad is a three-note chord whose notes can be arranged in thirds.

D flat major triad