BASIC MUSIC THEORY (from musicologize) 

PART 4 

What is a major triad? 

A major triad is a triad wherein the interval of the first two notes is a major third, and 

the interval of the other two notes is a minor third. 

Example: C – E – G. 

C to E is four half steps — an interval of a major third. 

E to G is three half steps — an interval of a minor third. 

This triad is a C major triad. 

And the reverse is a minor triad — the minor third comes first, followed by a major 
third. 

Example: A – C – E. 

A to C is three half steps — a minor third. 

C to E is four half steps — a major third. 

This triad is an A minor triad. 

This also means that if you take any major triad and lower the third, you change it to 
a minor triad. e.g. C major, which is spelled “C – E – G.” Lower the E to Eb, and you 
have changed it to a C minor triad. C – Eb – G. 

Quick note about naming the chord. Triads are named for their root note, “C.” To 
calculate the root of a triad, we stack the three notes in thirds and name the chord 

for the bottom note. 

Look again at those three notes in the C minor triad. ​Only one order​ will give you that 

stack of thirds, “C – Eb – G.” If you arrange them differently, you’ll create the interval 
of a fourth between the C and the G, for