Triads - The First Chords
(10 Aug 02)
Welcome back. I hope you did not have any problems with your neighbors.
Minor Triads
Minor triads are constructed by measuring the interval of a minor third followed by a major third. The resulting formula for minor triads is root (1), minor third (b3) and perfect fifth (P5).
Notice the similarity to the C major triad. The overall interval of a perfect fifth stays the same.
In order to learn the notes of all minor triads we can think back to our major triads and just change the major third to a minor third. So I strongly recommend that before you experiment with other triads than major you must be settled in spelling all 12 major triads.
The techniques of inversions and chord symbols can be applied to minor in the same way.
There are two common ways to write a minor chord symbol. Either you use the small cap "m" after the capital letter that stands for the tonality (Cm) or you use a simple dash (C-). Personally, I prefer the m version because it is easier to read especially when it is handwritten.
Oh, yes and just the other day I saw minor triads written in small caps, ie just a plain 'c' stood for minor. To me this was very confusing as it was handwritten music so I had to guess if the c is small caps or not - this leadsheet and was really not musician friendly.
Also notice that sometimes the dash is used to write the interval of a minor third (-3). Confused? I don’t blame you. Just remember, "m" or "-" means Minor.
Now let’s take a look at all minor inversions and their chord symbols:
Diminished and Augmented Triads
A diminished triad consists of two consecutive minor third intervals, whereas the augmented triad consists of two consecutive major third intervals. Both triads have an unstable sound tending to resolve into a consonant and therefore stable sound like a major or a minor triad.
The diminished triad has the formula root (1), minor third (b3) and diminished fifth (b5).
Although you could apply the same inversions for diminished triads as with major and minor the sound differs just slightly and therefore we skip them for now. Just remember that in theory they could be used but on a practical basis they are not commonly used.
The chord symbol for a diminished triad offers again (you guessed it) two versions: Co or Cdim. More common is the little circle or zero after the capital letter.
Root (1), major third (M3) and augmented fifth (#5) is the formula for the augmented triad.
Chord symbols (no chance that there is only one) are C+ and Caug. (I use C+ because it reminds me of my High School grades.)
If you invert an augmented triad you end up with another augmented triad a major third above the original.
Let’s try it.
If you take enharmonic spelling in consideration and think of the note c in the E+ triad as a b# you spell out a E+ triad. It’s the same with G#+. By changing c to b# and e to d## we end up with the correct notes for the G#+ triad.
Thus inversions of Augmented Triads are not really that practical. Augmented triads are in general written in their root position.
A Headache Exercise
All right! Ready? In this exercise you have to write out major, minor, dim. and aug triads. Take your time with it. It makes you think and is the actual proof whether you understand the theory. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you make some mistakes. It’s not easy. The solution of this exercise is available at the end of this article.
Major Triad Minor Triad Diminished Triad Augmented Triad
C c e g c eb g c eb gb c e g#
F
Bb
Eb
Ab
Db
Gb
F#
B
E
A
D
G
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