Music Fundamentals 5: Triads, Chords, Introduction to Roman Numerals by Terry B. Ewell - HTML preview

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Chapter 2

Naming Triads1

The position (Chapter 1) that a chord is in does make a difference in how it sounds, but it is a fairly small difference. Listen2 to a G major chord in three different positions.

A much bigger difference in the chord's sound comes from the intervals3 between the root-position notes of the chord. For example, if the B in one of the chords above was changed to a B at, you would still have a G triad (Chapter 1), but the chord would now sound very different. So chords are named according to the intervals between the notes when the chord is in root position (Chapter 1). Listen4 to four different G chords.

2.1 Major and Minor Chords

The most commonly used triads (Chapter 1) form major5 chords and minor6 chords. All major chords and minor chords have an interval7 of a perfect fifth8 between the root and the fifth of the chord (Chapter 1). A perfect fifth (7 half-steps) can be divided into a major third9 (4 half-steps) plus a minor third10 (3 half-steps). If the interval between the root and the third of the chord is the major third (with the minor third between the third and the fifth of the chord), the triad is a major chord. If the interval between the root and the third of the chord is the minor third (and the major third is between the third and fifth of the chord), then the triad is a minor chord. Listen closely to a major triad11 and a minor triad12.

Example 2.1

Example 2.2

Exercise 2.1

Write the major chord for each root given.

(Solution on p. 13.)

Exercise 2.2

Write the minor chord for each root given.

(Solution on p. 13.)

2.2 Augmented and Diminished Chords

Because they don't contain a perfect fifth, augmented and diminished chords have an unsettled feeling and are normally used sparingly. An augmented chord is built from two major thirds, which adds up to an augmented fifth. A diminished chord is built from two minor thirds, which add up to a diminished fifth. Listen closely to an augmented triad13 and a diminished triad14.

Example 2.3

Exercise 2.3

Write the augmented triad for each root given.

(Solution on p. 13.)

Exercise 2.4

Write the diminished triad for each root given.

(Solution on p. 13.)

Notice that you can't avoid double sharps or double flats by writing the note on a different space or line. If you change the spelling15 of a chord's notes, you have also changed the chord's name. For example, if, in an augmented G sharp major chord, you rewrite the D double sharp as an E natural, the triad becomes an E augmented chord.

You can put the chord in a different position (Chapter 1) or add more of the same-named notes at other octaves without changing the name of the chord. But changing the note names or adding different-named notes, will change the name of the chord. Here is a summary of the intervals in triads in root position.