Triads and Chords

David Loberg Code, Western Michigan University

Chords are collections of 3 or more pitches sounding at the same time.  They are usually used to accompany a melody.  If the notes of a chord are played separately (one after another) it is called an arpeggio (or broken chord).   A triad is a special type of chord made of three notes: a root, third, and fifth.  You can form a basic triad from three consecutive lines or spaces on a staff (i.e., stacking 3 doughnuts or a triple scoop of ice cream).   Like intervals, triads come in different qualities (flavors).  A major triad is formed by taking the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th scale degrees (Do, Mi, and So) of a major scale.  (That is why it is called a major triad.)

                  Spell a G major triad.

                  The G major scale is: G A B C D E F# G

                  G, B, D spells a G major triad.

A minor triad is formed by taking the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th scale degrees of a minor scale (Do, May, and So).

                  Spell a C minor triad.

                  The C minor scale is: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C

                  C, Eb, G spells a C minor triad.

An augmented triad is like a major triad but with an augmented 5^th.

A diminished triad is like a minor triad but with a diminished 5^th.