1. Triads and Seventh Chords
Chapter 7

2. Basic Elements of Music
If you had to identify the three most basic elements of music, they would probably be:
1. Scales (Chapters 4 and 5)
2. Intervals (Chapter 6)
3. Chords (Chapter 7)

3. What is a chord?
A chord is a group of pitches that form a single harmonic idea. When we write chords, their pitches may sound all at once, or they may sound in succession.
Key Concept - page 113

4. Triads
Triads are three pitch chords that are two thirds, one above the other.
Just like intervals, there are different triad qualities.
Triads in root position will either be a line-line-line or space-space-space.

5. Parts of a Triad
When triads are spelled in thirds, the interval between the lowest pitch of the triad (called the root) and the highest pitch (called the fifth) is a fifth. The middle number of a triad is called the third, because it is a third above the root. Because the root is on the bottom, this triad position is called root position.
Key Concept - page 114

6. Triads Above Major Scale Degrees
One way to build triads is above the degrees of the scale.
If we are working in a specific key in classical music, most triads will be based on a scale.

7. Triad Quality in Major Scales
Triads built on each pitch have different qualities (like interval quality, determines if the triad is major, minor, diminished, or augmented)
In a major scale, the qualities are as follows:
M, m, m, M, M, m, d (this is for ALL major scales)

8. Triad Quality in Minor Scales
The quality of the triad for the natural minor scale.
Note: We raise the leading tone in minor for triads 5 and 7.
IMPORTANT: In a minor key, raise the leading tone.

9. Spelling Triads Using Intervals
We can spell triads with the help of intervals, as Example 7.5a shows:
Write the root of the chord.
Write a fifth above the root. For a major or minor triad, write a P5 above the root. For a diminished triad, write a d5. For an augmented triad, write an A5.
Write a third above the root. For a major or augmented triad, make it a M3. For a minor or diminished triad, make it a m3.
Example 7.5b shows another way to spell triads by means of intervals. You can write a major triad as a major third beneath a minor third; a minor triad as a minor third beneath a major third; a diminished triad as two minor thirds; and an augmented triad as two major thirds.
Key Concept - page 116

10. Building Major Triads Not Using Scales
Major triads consists of the following intervals from the root:
Perfect 5th
Major 3rd
Root
Or the stacked intervals are:
Minor 3rd

11. Building Minor Triads Not Using Scales
Major triads consists of the following intervals from the root:
Perfect 5th
Minor 3rd
Root
Or the stacked intervals are:
Major 3rd
Major triad with a lowered third (by one half step)

12. THE NOTE GIVEN IS THE ROOT.
Practice
Build the following MAJOR triads:
Build the following MINOR triads:
THE NOTE GIVEN IS THE ROOT.

13. Spelling Diminished Triads
Diminished triads consist of the following intervals from the root:
Diminished 5th
Minor 3rd
Root
Or the stacked intervals are:

14. Spelling Augmented Triads
Augmented triads consist of the following intervals from the root:
Augmented 5th
Major 3
Root
Or the stacked intervals are:

15. THE NOTE GIVEN IS THE ROOT.
Practice
Build the following DIMINISHED triads:
Build the following AUGMENTED triads:
THE NOTE GIVEN IS THE ROOT.

16. Another Way to Spell Triads
You may also spell triads using only the major key signatures. First build a major triad (referring to the key signature of the triad’s root), then:
-for a minor triad, lower the third a half step
-for a diminished triad, lower the third and fifth each a half step
-for an augmented triad, raise the fifth a half step

17. Scale-Degree Triads in a Tonal Context
The key signature is the home base.
We refer to each triad built on the scale degrees by the name of the root.
Keep in mind that all triads are not equal in terms of how they are used. More about this later.
Notice how the major triads have upper case roman numerals and triads have lower case roman numerals.

18. Inversions of Triads
Triads do not always appear with the root as the bottom pitch.
An inversion is a triad or chord that has something other than the root as the bottom (or bass) pitch.
Any member of the triad (root, third, or fifth) can appear in the bass.

19. Triads in Inversions
Things to keep in mind when determining a triad's inversion.
-If the root of the triad is lowest, it is in root position.
-If the third of the triad is lowest, it is in first inversion.
-If the fifth of the triad is lowest, it is in second inversion.
Key Concept - page 120

20. Triads in Iversions
To identify the root in an inverted chord, look for the interval of a fourth. The upper note of the fourth is the root.
Key Concept - page 121

21. Root Position
In a root position triad, the root will always be the bottom pitch (in the bass).
Root position triads are labeled: 53.
The label 53 also stands for the intervals above the bass or lowest pitch.

22. First Inversion Triads
First inversion triads have the third on the bottom (in the bass).
The root and fifth are placed above.
In four part writing, we double the root in this inversion.
First inversion triads are labeled: 6(3)
The label 6(3) also stands for the
intervals above the bass or lowest pitch.

23. Second Inversion Triads
Second inversion triads have the fifth on the bottom (in the bass).
The root and third are placed above.
In four part writing, we double the root or the fifth.
Second inversion triads are labeled: 64.
The label 64 also stands for the intervals
above the bass or lowest pitch.

24. NOTE: THE PITCHES GIVEN ARE THE LOWEST PITCH OF THE TRIAD.
Inversions Practice
Write the following triad in first inversion:
Write the following triad in second inversion:
NOTE: THE PITCHES GIVEN ARE THE LOWEST PITCH OF THE TRIAD.

25. Seventh Chords
Seventh chords add another third on top of a root position triad, forming a seventh between the root and top pitch.
Seventh chords are named by the quality of the triad plus the quality of the seventh from the root.
Refer to you book pages: Example 7.12 and Example 7.14

26. Example of Seventh Chords

27. Roman Numerals and Figures for Seventh Chords
Think of this like a phone number:
Root
3rd
Inversion
1st
Inversion
2nd
Inversion

28. Seventh Inversions

29. Types of Seventh Chords
Major Seventh
Dominant Seventh
Minor Seventh
Half Diminished Seventh
Fully Diminished Seventh

30. Major Seventh Chords
MAJOR SEVENTH CHORDS – (Sometimes called a major-major chord.) Major seventh chords are nothing more than a major triad with a major seventh. They are labeled X(Maj.)7.
Simply Put:
Major triad with a major seventh from the root.
Intervals from the root:
Major Seventh
Perfect Fifth
Major Third
Root
Intervals from the previous notes:
Minor Third

31. Dominant Seventh Chords
DOMINANT SEVENTH CHORDS – (Sometimes called a major-minor chord.) Dominant sevenths are major triads with a minor seventh. They are label X7.
Simply Put:
Major triad with a minor seventh above the root.
Intervals from the root:
Minor Seventh
Perfect Fifth
Major Third
Root
Intervals from the previous notes:
Minor Third

32. Minor Seventh Chords
MINOR SEVENTH CHORDS – (Sometimes called a minor-minor chord.) Minor seventh chords are minor triads with a minor seventh. They are labeled x7.
Simply Put:
Minor triad with a minor seventh above the root.
Intervals from the root:
Minor Seventh
Perfect Fifth
Minor Third
Root
Intervals from the previous notes:
Major Third

33. Half Diminished Seventh Chords
HALF DIMINSHED SEVENTH CHORDS – Half diminished seventh chords are diminished triads with a minor seventh. They are
labeled X7.
Simply Put:
Diminished triad with a minor seventh above the root.
Intervals from the root:
Minor Seventh
Diminished Fifth
Minor Third
Root
Intervals from the previous notes:
Major Third

34. Fully Diminished Seventh Chords
FULLY DIMINISHED SEVENTH CHORDS – Fully diminished seventh chords are diminished triads with a diminished seventh. These
are labeled X7.
Simply Put:
Diminished chord with a diminished seventh above the root.
Intervals from the root:
Diminished Seventh
Diminished Fifth
Minor Third
Root
Intervals from the previous notes:

35. Practice

36. Seventh Chords in Inversions

37. Seventh Chords in Inversion

38. Practice - Try It #6 - page 127
Treble Clef
Bass Clef
c min. 65
E Dom. 43
Ab Maj. 65
A Dom. 42
B Dom. 43
a min. 65

39. Practice

40. Extra Credit Homework - Try It # 7 - page 128

41. Reading Lead Sheets
Has a written out melody, chord symbols, and lyrics.
Chord Examples: CMaj.7, C7, C-7,Cm7, C-7b5
Does not go by key, but by what the chord says

42. Reading Lead Sheets
Em/F is an E minor triad with an F in the bass. (F is a not a chord member.)
Em/B is an E minor triad with a B in the bass = 2nd inversion. B is a triad member.