Chords and Triads

Vocabulary

Chord A Chord is a group of pitches that forms a single harmonic idea. The pitches in a chord usually sound all at once, but they can sound in succession. In the above example, the first chord in the right hand is made up of two thirds stacked on top of one another. This forms a Triad. A triad is a three-note chord made of stacked thirds, easily recognizable by their position on the staff (line, line line or space, space, space).

Makeup of a Triad WHEN STACKED IN THIRDS: Lowest note is the root middle note is the third highest note is the fifth Interval between root and fifth is a fifth. Interval between root and third is a third. Interval between third and fifth is a third. When the root of the triad is the lowest pitch, the triad is in root position. Even if the triad is not stacked in thirds, the root, third, and fifth do not change.

Triads above a scale In a given key, each scale degree has a triad that can be built above it. In major keys: Triads built on scale degrees 1, 4, 5 are major Triads built on scale degrees 2, 3, 6 are minor Triads built on scale degree 7 are diminished

In minor keys: Natural Minor: triads on scale degrees 1, 4, 5 are minor triads on scale degrees 3, 6, 7 are major triads on scale degree 2 are diminished **The quality of triads built on scale degrees 5 and 7 will change based on the different forms of the minor scale

Triad Qualities Identifying quality of isolated triads: 1. Stack in thirds 2. What is the interval between the root and the fifth? Diminished fifth: Triad is diminished Augmented fifth: Triad is augmented Perfect fifth: Triad is major or minor What is the relationship between the root and the third? Major third: triad is major minor third: triad is minor 3. The name of the triad is the letter name if the root and the quality

Spelling Triads

Scale Degree Triads in Tonal Context Each scale degree triad has a harmonic function. For example, the triad built on scale degree 1 is the tonic triad and is the “home base” of a key. Some functions are more important that others and occur more frequently than others. NOT ALL SCALE DEGREES (OR THEIR TRIADS) ARE CREATED EQUAL! Notice the roman numerals under each triad in the above example. Each triad has a roman numeral label that matches it’s scale degree number. For major triads, use an uppercase roman numeral. For minor triads, use a lower case roman numeral. For diminished triads, use a lowercase roman numeral with a circle next to it. For augmented triads, use a uppercase roman numeral with a plus next to it.

Triads in Inversion While triads stacked in thirds are convenient for identifying root and quality, they are not always written like this in music. Sometimes, a note other than the root is on the bottom. This is called inversion. **The lowest note being played/sung is the Bass. The lowest note of a triad when stacked in thirds, is the Root. The bass and the root are not always the same note!!!

Identify the root, quality, and roman numeral of each chord in this example:

Popular Music Notation/Lead-Sheet Notation

Figured Bass