 A Major Scale Ascending & Descending |
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| Notes and Degrees of the C Major Scale |
A triad is a 3 note chord. They are super easy to form IF you know the scale and how the triad relates to the scale.
Put your Theory Nerd Glasses on!
A major scale has 7 notes, or degrees. Each note has both Name and Number.
A major Triad is formed using the 1, 3, and 5 degrees of the major scale.
A minor Triad is formed using the 1, b3 and 5 degrees of the major scale. A b3 (Flat 3) is a 3 that has been lowered by a half step.
C major triad = C E G
C minor triad = C Eb G (Notice the Flat/Lowered 3rd! It went a half step down from E to Eb)
To build any triad you will use the same procedure in the new key. For example...
Need a Bb Major chord? We need to know the 1 3 5 of the Bb Major Scale. Bb(1) D(3) F(5)
Need a Bb Minor chord? Do the above... but Flat the 3! Bb(1) Db(b3) F(5)
Major and Minor are the most common triads. There 2 other types of triads, the diminished and the augmented, we will discuss next.
"Uhhh... Chris... What's up with the names? Is that something I need to know?"
The Names are just really fun to know. Every theory nerd should be able to work Submediant into conversations at dinner parties. ;) Althogh it's really important that you understand Tonic is the 1 and Dominant is the 5th degrees of the scale. That is vital knowledge that will keep coming back around.
Have any questions about triads or music theory in general? Perhaps you have a tip? Throw down a comment!
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