Triads - Major & Minor

What is a Triad?

• A Triad is a set of three notes consisting of a root, 3rd and 5th appearing one above the other.

A triad can be built on any degree of a major or minor scale

How triads are named

Triads are named according to the intervals in them.

Major Triad

A Major triad consists of a major 3rd and perfect 5th above its root.

OR

It can also be described as having a major 3rd with a minor 3rd above it.

Minor Triad
A Minor triad consists of a minor 3rd and a perfect 5th above its root.

OR

It can also be described as having a minor 3rd with a major 3rd above it.
  Note that the Tonic triad [the triad on the 1 st degree of the major scale] is
always Major. The Tonic triad of a minor scale is always Minor.

Activities

1. Name triads as Major or Minor.

Name: __________ ____________ ____________ ______________ _____________

2. Build Major triads on the given roots.

3. Build Minor triads on the given roots.