lesson 2 1305 revised

7/27/2019 Lesson 2 1305 Revised

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LESSON 2

TRIADS

OVERVIEW

LESSON DESCRIPTION:

In this lesson you will learn to identify triadic structure, consonant and dissonant triads, and diatonic triads.

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2:

ACTION: Identify triads.

CONDITION: Given the information provided in this lesson.

STANDARD: Demonstrated proficiency by accurately completing the practical

exercises contained in this lesson.

REFERENCES: The material contained in this lesson was derived from thefollowing publication: TC 12-41, Basic Music.

INTRODUCTION

The three elements of music are melody, rhythm, and harmony. The harmonic element in most Western

music is based upon three-note chords called triads. Knowledge of triads and triad quality is essential in

developing music score reading skills and awareness in listening to music.

PART A- TRIAD STRUCTURE

1. A triad is a chord of three tones spelled in thirds. It may be constructed of any combination of two

superimposed major and minor thirds (Figure 2-1).

Figure 2-1: Forming a Triad

2. The lowest note of a triad is called the root of the triad. The middle note is called the third of the triad

because it is a third above the root of the triad. The highest note is called the fifth of the triad because

it is a fifth above the root of the triad (Figure 2-2).


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Figure 2-2: Elements of a Triad

3. Triad Quality. Triads are either major, minor, augmented or diminished. The quality of the triad

depends on the quality of the intervals making up the triad.

4. Major Triad Structure. A major triad (Maj) consists of a major third as the lower interval and a

minor third as the upper interval (Figure 2-3). This results in the interval of a perfect fifth between the

root and the fifth of the triad.

Figure 2-3: Major Triad

NOTE: The Major triad corresponds to the first, third, and fifth scale degree of the Major scale.

5. Minor Triad Structure. A minor triad (min) consists of a minor third as the lower interval a major

third as the upper interval (Figure 2-4). The interval between the root and the fifth is a perfect fifth.

Figure 2-4: Minor Triad

NOTE: The minor triad corresponds to the first, third, and fifth scale degrees of the natural minor scale.

6. Augmented Triad Structure. An augmented triad (Aug) consists of a major third as the lower

interval and a major third as the upper interval (Figure 2-5). This results in the interval of an

augmented fifth (Aug 5) between the root and fifth of the triad.


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Figure 2-5: Augmented Triad

NOTE: The augmented triad corresponds to the first, third, and raised fifth scale degrees of the major

scale.

7. Diminished Triad Structure. A diminished triad (dim) consists of a minor third as the lower interval

and a minor third as the upper interval (Figure 2-6). This results in the interval of a diminished fifth

(dim 5) between the root and the fifth of the triad.

Figure 2-6: Diminished Triad

NOTE: The diminished triad corresponds to the first, lowered third, and lowered fifth scale degrees of the

major scale.


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SELF REVIEW EXERCISE 1. Add accidentals to the triads as needed to form the major, minor,

augmented, or diminished triad indicated (Figure 2-7). CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE VERSION.

When finished, hit the back button on your browser to return to this page.

Figure 2-7: Writing Triads (continued next page)


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Figure 2-7: Writing Triads (continued)

PART B- CONSONANT AND DISSONANT TRIADS

8. The basic sound of triads may be generally described as consonant ordissonant.

9. Consonant Triads. Consonant triads tend to remain stable. Major and minor triads are consonant

triads (Figure 2-8).

Figure 2-8: Consonant Triads

10. Dissonant Triads. Dissonant triads tend to be unstable requiring movement to a consonant triad.

Augmented and diminished triads are dissonant triads (Figure 2-9).

Figure 2-9: Examples of Dissonant Triads


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11. The quality of the fifth affects consonance and dissonance more than the quality of the third. When the

fifth is augmented or diminished, dissonance occurs.

PART C- DIATONIC TRIADS

12. Diatonic Triads in Major Keys. The term diatonic refers to the notes that belong to a scale. In

major keys, diatonic notes are the notes that belong to the major scale indicated by the key signature.

For example, the notes F-G-A-B flat-C-D-E-F are diatonic to key of F major.

a. In a major key, the root of each diatonic triad is a scale degree of that major scale. The triads

are constructed using only the notes common to that scale and key signature. Figure 2-10 shows

the diatonic triads for the F major scale.

Figure 2-10: Diatonic Triads of F Major Scale

b. The quality of the triads in a major key form a pattern. This pattern is the same for all major scales

(Figure 2-11).

Figure 2-11: Triad Qualities of Major Scales


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SELF REVIEW EXERCISE 2. Add accidentals to the triads as needed to form diatonic triads on the

major scale indicated. Label all triads according to their quality (Figure 2-12). CLICK HERE FOR

PRINTABLE VERSION. When finished, hit the back button on your browser to return to this page.

Figure 2-12: Triads of Major Scales (continued on next page)


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Figure 2-12: Triads of Major Scales (continued)13. Diatonic Triads in Natural Minor.

a. In natural minor scales, the root of each diatonic triad is a scale degree of a natural minor scale.

The triads are constructed using only the notes common to that scale and key signature. Figure 2-

13 shows the diatonic triads for a natural minor scale.

Figure 2-13: Diatonic Triads in Natural Minor

b. The quality of the triads in natural minor form a pattern. This pattern is the same for all natural

minor scales (Figure 2-14).

Figure 2-14: Triad Quality in Natural Minor


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natural minor scale indicated. Label each triad according to its quality (Figure 2-15). CLICK HERE FOR


Figure 2-15: Triads in Natural Minor (continued on next page)


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Figure 2-15: Triads in Natural Minor (continued)


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14. Diatonic Triads in Harmonic Minor.

a. In harmonic minor scales, the root of each diatonic triad is a scale degree of a harmonic minor

scale. The triads are constructed using only the notes common to that scale. Figure 2-16 shows

the diatonic triads for the harmonic minor scale.

Figure 2-16: Diatonic Triads in Harmonic Minor

NOTE: The seventh scale degree of the harmonic minor scale is raised chromatically one half step. This

alteration applies whenever the seventh scale degree is a part of a triad. For example, the D harmonic

minor scale has a C sharp as its seventh scale degree. When a C is part of the triad, it must be altered

upward to C sharp.

b. The quality of the triads in harmonic minor scales form a pattern. This pattern is the same for all

harmonic minor scales (Figure 2-17).

Figure 2-17: Triad Quality in Harmonic Minor


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harmonic minor scale indicated. Label the triads according to their quality (Figure 2-18). CLICK HERE

FOR PRINTABLE VERSION. When finished, hit the back button on your browser to return to this page.

Figure 2-18: Triads in Harmonic Minor (continued on next page)


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Figure 2-18: Triads in Harmonic Minor (continued)

15. Diatonic Triads in Melodic Minor. The diatonic triads for the ascending melodic scale and the

descending melodic scale differ from each other.

a. In ascending melodic minor scales, the root of each diatonic triad is a scale degree of that scale.

The triads are constructed using only the notes common to the scale. Figure 2-19 shows the

diatonic triads for the ascending melodic minor scale.

Figure 2-19: Diatonic Triads in Ascending Melodic Minor

NOTE: The sixth and seventh scale degrees of the ascending melodic minor are raised one half step.

Whenever these scale degrees are part of a triad, they must be chromatically altered.

b. The quality of the triads built on the ascending melodic minor scale form a pattern. This pattern is

the same for all ascending melodic minor scales (Figure 2-20).


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Figure 2-20: Triad Quality in Ascending Melodic Minor Scale

c. The diatonic triads for the descending melodic minor scale are the same as the diatonic triads of the

natural minor scale. The quality of the triads built on any descending melodic minor scale form a

pattern. This pattern is the same for all descending melodic minor scales (Figure 2-21).

Figure 2-21: Triad Quality of Descending Melodic Minor Scale


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SELF REVIEW EXERCISE 5. Add accidentals as needed to form diatonic triads on the melodic minor

scale indicated. Label the triads according to their quality (Figure 2-22). CLICK HERE FOR


Figure 2-22: Triads of Ascending Melodic Minor (continued on next page)


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Figure 2-22: Triads of Ascending Melodic Minor (continued)


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LESSON 2

ANSWERS TO SELF REVIEW EXERCISES

SELF REVIEW EXERCISE 1 (SOLUTION)

Figure 2-7: Answer to Self Review Exercise 1 (continued on next page)


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Figure 2-7: Answer to Self Review Exercise 1 (continued)




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SELF REVIEW EXERCISE 3 (SOLUTION).



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SELF REVIEW EXERCISE 5 (SOLUTION).



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lesson 2 1305 revised

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