triads

Like the primary colors to the painter, the triads provide a fundamental musical element for the creative musician. Recognize this melody? Example 1.

The pitches in measure one of our national anthem above are the pitches of a C major triad. To make a C major chord we simply sound all of the pitches together. A key structural component of all the popular styles American music, created exclusively from the equal temperament system, understanding the theory of the triad provides a solid basis for expansion of ideas for the emerging theorist. 

Comprised of three pitches and based on different interval combinations of major and minor thirds, there are the four possible root position triadic configurations. Just four? Yep, just four. Each of these four provide an essential musical color upon which we build the endless variations available to the creative musician. Lets hear the sound of these four possibilities and then begin to take a theoretical look at the structural components of these three note groupings. Using the root C, building the four root position triads. Example 1.

Our modern equal tempered harmony is oftentimes termed tertian, implying that chords are built around the musical interval of the third. Is 98% of all the chords used to create the various styles of American music created in major and minor 3rds? Pretty much. Our basic three note chords or triads are simply constructed with the intervals of the third. Using two sizes of rectangles to illustrate the major and minor third, lets examine the building of these essential harmonic components of the equal tempered system. Example 1a. 

Lets add letter names to the intervals and create a chart comparing the four triadic configurations possible using the major and minor 3rd interval with C as the root. Example 1b.

From the above illustrations, we can perhaps see the basic permutations of the 2 intervals, the major and minor third, in creating the four possible triadic configurations. Only four types of triads using 3rds? Yep, that's all. The following example notates the four root position triadic possibilities using C as the root in the treble clef. The middle bass clef is concerned with the third and fifth triad degrees while the bass clef arpeggiates the four different types of triads. Measure 1 contains the essential major triad. The triad in measure 2 is an augmented triad. The triad in measure 3 is the all important minor triad. The triad in measure 4 is a diminished triad. Click the music to hear their sound. Example 1c.

Hear the difference? Each has its own important place in our musical world. So, where do we use triads? Actually, a better question might be "where don't we use these triads?" Well, if you play chords in your music, chances are there are triads in your chords. If you are a melody player, chances are some of the lines you play are based on the strength of the triad. As a composer, not only will the various triadic configurations help create varying degrees of tension and release, but it is not uncommon to base key schemes and modulations upon the intervalic basis of the various triads. One place within this text to begin exploring the triads in creating melodic ideas would be with melodic permutations and sequences and artistic filters. In these melodic discussions, the pitches of the triad are used as a motif and expanded through various musical formats. With chords, examining common chord progressions and related topics explore the triad within the harmonic action of American music is an easy place to start. Hip to chord inversions? Want to explore some more about a specific triad color? Commence to clicking.

Major triads. Recognize this theme? Example 2.

How about this one? Example 2a.

Maybe this one? Example 2b.

That's the Mighty Mouse's theme. Surely this one eh? Example 2c.

"Oh my darlin ..." All of these musical ideas are based on the pitches that make up the major triad. So, what tunes did our musical heroes learn as kids? Same one's we learn today perhaps? One's based simply on the pitches of the major triad?

As the name major triad implies, the all important interval of the major third defines the sound of the three note major chord or triad. Thinking from the root, we stack a major third then a minor third above the root to create the common major triad. Here is a handy picture of the building process of the proper intervals above the root. Example 2d.

Thinking in the tonal center of C major, the tonic or C major triad is created by the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees of the C major scale. Here are the pitches of the C major scale and their numerical scale degrees. Example 2e.

Here is a piano illustration of C, E, and G, ( 1, 3, 5 ). At the piano, a root position C major triad is struck thus, click to hear the sound. Example 2b.

Cool with this? Can we create a major triad on each of the pitches of the chromatic scale? Of course we can. Lets do it. Here is a chart spelling out the major triad from each of the 12 pitches of the chromatic scale organized by the cycle of fourths. Example 2f.

Here is the sound of the above chart of the 12 major triads of equal temper. Example 2g.

Got these under your tongue or fingers? Sing the line / play the line? Understanding the theory and executing the major triad is potentially of great importance to the emerging player of American music. In all 12 keys, yes in all 12 keys. Even if you do this triad / 12 key exercise only once, you'll be amazed at your new perspective, appreciation and understanding of our equal temper system, let alone how you will henceforth view your instrument. For jazz players, this 12 key thing is rather essential. So what is the intervalic distance from the root C to it's fifth G? Any clues? How well do you know your musical intervals? Have we always had chords in our music, like from ancient times? Curious about the history of chords? 

Melodically speaking, every renowned improvising musician has used the three notes of the triad in various configurations as a basis for melodic ideas. For example, explore the simple triadic nature within the melody of the Dixieland jazz standard "When The Saints Go Marching In." Then compare this use of the major triad in this melody with the triadic melodic and harmonic ground broken by John Coltrane with his historic writing and recording of "Giant Steps", on Atlantic Records, which is also strongly based on the major triad and variations. All jazz and emerging jazz musicians not hip to this composition are encouraged to seek out and absorb "Tranes" intellect and energy in this recording, as he deftly weaves simple triads perhaps the most complex levels of improvisation still to date.

Minor triads. The minor triad provides the the essential color of the minor tonality. At the root of the blues color, the minor triad is an essential component of all of the styles of American music. Here is it's sound in action. Example 3.

As the name minor triad implies, the all important interval of the minor third defines the sound of the three note minor chord or triad. Thinking from the root, we stack the interval of a minor third then a major third to create the minor triad. Here is a handy picture of the building process of the proper intervals above the root. Example 3a.

  Is this the flip of this? 

Thinking in the tonal center of C natural minor, the tonic or C minor triad is created by the 1st, b3rd and 5th scale degrees of the C minor scale. Here is a chart showing the pitches of the C minor scale and numerical scale degrees. Example 3b.

Here is a piano illustration of C, Eb, and G, (1, b3, 5). At the piano, a root position C minor triad is struck thus, click to hear the sound. Example 3c.

Cool with this? Can we create a minor triad on each of the pitches of the chromatic scale? Of course we can. Lets do it. Here is a chart spelling out the minor triad from each of the 12 pitches of the chromatic scale, organized by the cycle of fourths. Example 3d.

Here is the sound of the above chart of the 12 minor triads of equal temper. Example 3f.

Got these minor triads on your hardrive? Understanding the theory and executing the minor triad is potentially of great importance to the emerging player of American music. In all 12 keys, yes in all 12 keys. Curious about the minor tonality?

The augmented triad. "Here I come to save the day!" Thanx Mighty.

Ooops. Lower that 5th! As the name implies, something about this three note triad is augmented. Augmented how? Well, the perfect fifth interval between the root and the fifth of the major triad is enlarged a half step, creating an augmented fifth, which defines the sound of this three note chord. The + 5 symbol normally associated with this triad is a handy way to denote that the 5th of the triad has been augmented ( + 5 ). Thinking from the root, we stack two major third intervals above the root to create the augmented triad. Here is a handy picture of the building process to compare the the proper intervals of the major and augmented triads. Example 4.

Thinking in the tonal center of C augmented, the tonic or C augmented triad is diatonically created by the 1st, 3rd and augmented 5th scale degrees of the C augmented scale, perhaps more commonly called the whole tone scale. This augmented triad is not a overly common grouping of pitches, but we do find it's unique color in all of the American styles, in key places. Here we place it in the minor tonality. Example 4a.

Here are the pitches of the C whole tone, and numerical scale degrees. Does whole tone imply whole step? Example 4b.

Wow, a scale created from just one interval? Cool. Here is a piano illustration of C, E, and G#, (1, 3, +5). At the piano, a root position C augmented triad would be struck thus, click to hear the sound. Example 4c.

Cool with this? Can we create an augmented triad on each of the pitches of the chromatic scale? Of course we can. Here is a chart spelling out the augmented triad from each of the 12 pitches of the chromatic scale, organized by the cycle of fourths. Example 4d.

Here is the sound of the above chart of the 12 augmented triads created within the equal tempered system. Example 4e.

Got these under your fingers? Understanding the theory and executing the augmented triad is potentially of great importance to the emerging player of American music, especially the jazz artist. In all 12 keys, yes in all 12 keys. How well do you know your musical intervals? Is there more to the theory of of the whole tone scale? Where and how would we use this unique color? Within chord progressions? Improvisation? What scales relate to this unique chordal color?

Diminished triad. As the name implies, the three note triad is diminished. Diminished how? Well, the perfect fifth interval between the root and the fifth of an already minor triad is reduced a half step, creating an diminished fifth, which along with it's minor third, defines the sound of this three note chord. A doubly minor triad? Yeh. The b5 symbol is a common way to denote this diminished fifth interval. Thinking from the root, we stack two minor third intervals above the root to create the diminished triad. Here is a handy picture of the building process to compare the the proper intervals of the minor and diminished triads. Example 5.

Thinking in the tonal center of C minor, the tonic or C diminished triad is created by the 1st, b3rd and b5th scale degrees of the C diminished scale. Let's aurally compare these two important colors. Example 5a.

In the major tonality, the diminished triad is perhaps the ultimate passing chord of all time. Here we place the diminished color between tonic and Two. Example 5b.

Here are the pitches of the C diminished scale and numerical scale degrees. Isn't there an intervalic symmetry to this group of pitches? Example 5b.

Here is a piano illustration of C, Eb, and Gb, (1, b3, b5). At the piano, a root position C diminished triad is struck thus, click to hear the sound. Example 5c.

Cool with this? Can we create a diminished triad on each of the pitches of the chromatic scale? Of course we can. Lets do it. Here is a chart spelling out the diminished triad from each of the 12 pitches of the chromatic scale, organized by the cycle of fourths. Example 5d.

Here is the sound of the above chart of 12 diminished triads created from equal temper. Example 5e.

Got these under your fingers? Understanding the theory and executing the diminished triad is potentially of great importance to the emerging player of American music. In all 12 keys, yes in all 12 keys. So what is the intervalic distance from the root C to the diminished fifth Gb? How well do you know your musical intervals? The diminished triad is the basis of the fully diminished seventh chord, which is quite possibly the ultimate passing chord in our local universe. The diminished color, depending on you artistic directions, may become a very important color on your artistic palette. How can we place and organize these various types of triads within a tonal environment?

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them." Mark Twain (1835-1910)