How important are the three notes of the triad in creating the melodies we love? Way. In regards to creating a sense of tonal stability of our improvised lines, sounding the root, 3rd or 5th of the triad is a sure way to impart the tonality and artistic flavor of the song we are writing or playing. Even when disguised by various artistic techniques, the strength of the pitches of the triad can help in keeping our lines together. The ideas in this page simply select common American melodies that feature one or all of the three notes of the major triad.
Major triads. Recognize this theme? Example 1.
How about this one? Example 1a.
Maybe this one? Example 1b.
That's the Mighty Mouse's theme modulating? Yep. Surely this one eh? Example 1c.
Oh my darlin... All of these musical ideas above are based on the major triad. So, what tunes did our musical heroes learn as kids? 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.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| C | D | E | F | G | A | B | C |
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.
| triad | root | major third | perfect fifth |
| C | C | E | G |
| F | F | A | C |
| Bb | Bb | D | F |
| Eb | Eb | G | Bb |
| Ab | Ab | C | Eb |
| Db | Db | F | Ab |
| Gb | Gb | Bb | Db |
| B | B | D# | F# |
| E | E | G# | B |
| A | A | C# | E |
| D | D | F# | A |
| G | G | B | D |
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.
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"Love is friendship set on fire." Jeremy Taylor
