Ill. Triads
Triads are 3-note chords built in 3rds. Know how to write and play all four types.Quality |
Notes |
Example |
| Major | 1 3 5 | C |
| Minor | 1 b3 5 | Cmi |
| Augmented | 1 3 #5 | Caug |
| Diminished | 1 b3 b5 | Cdim |
Suspended triads are not built in 3rds, so they’re not true triads. Learn these two kinds.
| sus4 | 1 4 5 | Csus4 |
| sus2 | 1 2 5 | Csus2 |
Practice using the major scale to find the notes in the triad types listed
above from all possible roots. Then find chord voicings on the guitar.
Don’t spell a major chord with a diminished 4th! Awkward as it sounds, every beginner at some time has said “the 3rd of F# is Bb” or some such. This means you have skipped a letter in the alphabet. Don’t do that. The 3rd of F# must be A#. If this is not clear, return to section I.