{"id":13936,"date":"2016-06-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-06-17T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hearandplay.com\/main\/?p=13936"},"modified":"2024-10-07T17:57:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T01:57:00","slug":"structure-of-the-major-triad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearplaymain.wpenginepowered.com\/structure-of-the-major-triad\/","title":{"rendered":"Exposed: The Structure Of The Major Triad"},"content":{"rendered":"

The structure of the major triad is our focus in today’s lesson.<\/p>\n

In a previous post, we explored the functions<\/a> of the major triad which is arguably the oldest and most important chords used in music.<\/p>\n

Triads know no boundaries in style, genre, era, etc. Whether you’re a classically trained player or you play by the ear, you know how often triads are used in all eras (or periods) in classical and popular music.<\/p>\n

The goal of this study [on the structure of the major triad] is to enhance your perception of the major triad.<\/p>\n

Attention:<\/strong> Before we get on with this study, let’s get started by reviewing triads and the major triad. I will recommend that you read through this review, even if you’re familiar with what triads are.<\/p>\n

“What Is A Triad?”<\/em><\/h2>\n

A triad is a collection of three<\/strong> related notes that are played or heard together. To all intents and purposes, a triad is a chord, however, there’s emphasis on “three” which is the total number of notes that make up a triad.<\/p>\n

Even though a triad is chord of three notes, the term triad according to orthodox principles refers to chords that are built in intervals of thirds.<\/p>\n

By saying “in intervals of thirds”<\/em>, this simply means that the distance between two successive notes in a triad [played in root position] is a third.<\/p>\n

We can form an F triad starting from F:
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\n…and adding other notes in intervals of a third. A third from F:
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\n…is A:
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\n…and another third from F-A:
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\n..is C:
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\n…which gives us three notes altogether – a triad<\/p>\n

Just like the F triad:
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\n…here are other triads that you can form on the piano following the steps used above…<\/p>\n

D triad:
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\nG triad:
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\nB triad:
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\n…and the list goes on and on.<\/p>\n

There are four different classes of triad:<\/p>\n