Triads
A triad is a stack of 3 notes in various arrangements of 3rds.
Triads consist of a root, a 3rd, and a 5th.There are four tonalities of triads
(below using C roots for examples)
| Tonality | Chord symbol | 3rds stack | Chord Tones | Notes | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | C |
mi3 M3 |
R 3 5 | C E G | |
| Minor | C- |
M3 mi3 |
R
|
C
E |
|
| Augmented | C+ |
M3 M3 |
R
3
|
C
E
G |
|
| Diminished | C |
mi3 mi3 |
R
|
C
E |
Theoretical Triads : AKA SUS chords
While they do not strictly fall under the definition of triad, these chords are often heard in music.
They can be also be thought of as a mixture, or transition, of two chords.
They have 'secundal' qualities - meaning they contain the interval of a second.
The theory behind the application of these SUS chords changes with different genres of music.
Classical, Jazz, and contemporary musics all have their own application and theory.
They can be also be thought of as a mixture, or transition, of two chords.
They have 'secundal' qualities - meaning they contain the interval of a second.
The theory behind the application of these SUS chords changes with different genres of music.
Classical, Jazz, and contemporary musics all have their own application and theory.
| Tonality | Chord symbol | 3rds stack | Chord Tones | Notes | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUS 4 | C4 C sus 4 |
M2
P4 |
R 4 5 | C F G | |
| SUS 2 | C2 C sus 2 |
P4
M2 |
R 2 5 | C D G |