Overview
In this comprehensive course on triads, you're going to learn the basic features of major triads, why they matter, and how they're related to guitar pieces by Sor, Carulli, Carcassi and music of other composers.
Step 1: Learn the basic theory behind triads
Step 2: Practice moveable triad shapes to get acquainted with triads on the fretboard
Step 3: Exercises, studies and pieces grouped by key that provide you with a solid understanding and application
Step 1: Learn the basic theory behind triads
Step 2: Practice moveable triad shapes to get acquainted with triads on the fretboard
Step 3: Exercises, studies and pieces grouped by key that provide you with a solid understanding and application
What is a triad?
• A triad is simply when three different notes are stacked in thirds.
• For example, C-E-G is a triad
• Play the example below
• For example, C-E-G is a triad
• Play the example below
Why does it matter?
Triads form the foundation of chords and harmony. They're important to know about because you literally find them everywhere in pieces as the diagrams below demonstrate (brackets indicate triads). Below is just one example - I could show you hundreds more!
• Follow the solid brackets and find all the C-E-G triads
• Follow the solid brackets and find all the C-E-G triads
Some Basic Features of Triads
Interval Structure:
• There are several different types of triads and the interval structure defines what type it is.
• A major triad contains a major third between the bottom note and middle note (C-E).
• Think of the 1st and 3rd notes of a C Major scale
• There are several different types of triads and the interval structure defines what type it is.
• A major triad contains a major third between the bottom note and middle note (C-E).
• Think of the 1st and 3rd notes of a C Major scale
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Spacing:
• There are two common ways that. the notes of a triad can be stacked (or distributed): closed and open
• Closed spacing is where the notes are stacked as closely together as possible
• Open spacing is where the notes are stacked further apart at a distance (notice that the notes aren't "in order" anymore, but you still have the notes required for a C Major triad - C-E-G).
• There are two common ways that. the notes of a triad can be stacked (or distributed): closed and open
• Closed spacing is where the notes are stacked as closely together as possible
• Open spacing is where the notes are stacked further apart at a distance (notice that the notes aren't "in order" anymore, but you still have the notes required for a C Major triad - C-E-G).
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Inversions and Figured Bass:
• By changing the order of the three notes (C-E-G in this case), you get inversions of the triad.
Figured Bass: These are numbers that represent the intervals above the bass note.
• The numbers tell you what inversion the chord is in.
• Figured Bass was used as a way of quickly indicating what chord was to be played above a particular bass note.
• The bass note is always the note that determines what inversion a chord is in.
a) C-E-G = Root Position or 5/3
b) E-G-C = First Inversion or 6/3 (often abbreviated to 6)
c) G-C-E = Second Inversion or 6/4
• By changing the order of the three notes (C-E-G in this case), you get inversions of the triad.
Figured Bass: These are numbers that represent the intervals above the bass note.
• The numbers tell you what inversion the chord is in.
• Figured Bass was used as a way of quickly indicating what chord was to be played above a particular bass note.
• The bass note is always the note that determines what inversion a chord is in.
a) C-E-G = Root Position or 5/3
b) E-G-C = First Inversion or 6/3 (often abbreviated to 6)
c) G-C-E = Second Inversion or 6/4
Recognizing Triads: Identify the triads and inversions in the example below
• Get fluent at thinking in thirds, as that will help you quickly identify triads.
• Triads will often be arpeggiated, so chunk notes together into chords.
• Always pay special attention to the bass note, as that will define the triad's inversion.
• Get fluent at thinking in thirds, as that will help you quickly identify triads.
• Triads will often be arpeggiated, so chunk notes together into chords.
• Always pay special attention to the bass note, as that will define the triad's inversion.
Take a short quiz here
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