Triad chords are fundamental chords in music and are made up of three notes. These three notes are typically stacked in thirds, meaning that each note is a third interval (either a major third or a minor third) away from the others. The basic components of a triad are the root, the third, and the fifth.
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Root: The foundational note of the chord, providing the chord its name.
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Third: This is the second note in the triad and is either a major third or a minor third interval above the root. The type of third (major or minor) determines whether the triad is major or minor.
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Fifth: The third note in the triad and is either a perfect fifth or a diminished fifth above the root. The fifth helps define the quality of the chord (major, minor, diminished, or augmented).
The four basic types of triads are:
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Major Triad: Formed by stacking a major third on top of a minor third. The intervals are Root - Major Third - Perfect Fifth.
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Minor Triad: Formed by stacking a minor third on top of a major third. The intervals are Root - Minor Third - Perfect Fifth.
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Diminished Triad: Formed by stacking two minor thirds. The intervals are Root - Minor Third - Diminished Fifth.
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Augmented Triad: Formed by stacking two major thirds. The intervals are Root - Major Third - Augmented Fifth.
These triads serve as the building blocks for more complex chords and are essential in understanding harmony in Western music. Triads are commonly used in various genres and styles of music and provide the harmonic foundation for many musical compositions.
By the Stealify™ Team.