EXERCISES

for

Parts 2 & 3, continued

1. Figure out and name the following open spaced triads.

options:

a) If you can read the notes of the treble clef on your instrument, play each
triad before figuring it out.
b) If you cant read the notes of the treble clef on your instrument, figure out
each triad first, then try to play any open spaced version on your instrument.

NOTE: Letter-names are omitted from the last four examples on purpose; if you arent that
skilled at reading the treble clef, use the notes identified in the first four examples as a
guide.

Michael Leibson, 2010

www.thinkingmusic.ca

2. The C major triad consists of the note C as root, E as third and G as fifth.

a) On your instrument (melody instruments: please arpeggiate), find a way of playing the C
major triad with:
i. Root position, with 2 roots, 2 thirds, 1 fifth
ii. Root position, with 2 roots, 1 third, 2 fifths
iii. 1st inversion, with 1 root, 1 third (in bass) and 2 fifths (on guitar, mute/omit 2 strings)
iv. 2nd inversion, with 1 root, 1 third and 2 fifths (one in bass) (on guitar, mute/omit 2
strings)
Be sure to write your results down!

b) Try to write each of the previous chords in musical notation, using the clef or clefs particular to
your instrument.

c) Follow all the same steps for:

E minor (E-G-B)

d) Use similar procedures to create doublings of all other triads, in all inversions. (Note: The
limits of some instruments will automatically restrict where and how doubling can be carried
out.)

Michael Leibson, 2010

www.thinkingmusic.ca

3. Reduce each of the following chords to root position triad form, and name it. (What is each
triads inversion, as given on the page?)

a) Eb-G-C-G

b) A-A-F#-D-A

c) Bb-G-D-G-D

d) F#-D#-B-F#-B

e) E-C-G#-C-E

f) D-B-F-D

Michael Leibson, 2010

www.thinkingmusic.ca