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  4. Ch.3.7 Major and minor triads

3.7 Major and minor triads

 

Category: Harmony | Tags: Chords, Triads, Ear training: chords

Theory

In Chapter 3.5 Major and minor third you’ve learned about major and minor thirds . In Chapter 3.6 Perfect fifth you’ve learned what a perfect fifth is. In this chapter, you will learn that there are two kinds of triads, namely the major triad and the minor triad. In the videos and examples I show how to make major and minor triads. You learn to recognize major and minor triads and you are going to make them yourself in the exercises. You will also learn to distinguish major and minor triads by ear.

1. What are major and minor triads?

When you play triads on the piano, you can see that the distance between the tones of the different kinds of triads is not always the same. For example, the triad C E G is comprised of the major third C E and the perfect fifth C G.

major triad
The triad C E G is comprised of a major third and a perfect fifth.

But, this isn’t the case with all of the triads. For example, the triad D F A is comprised of the minor third D F and the perfect fifth D A.

minor triad
The triad D F A is comprised of a minor third and a perfect fifth.

The triad with a major third and a perfect fifth is called a major triad.
The triad with a minor third and a perfect fifth is called a minor triad.
Also by ear, you can hear a difference between a major triad and a minor triad.

cd Major and minor triads | Musictheory.educationThe major triad C E G

 

cd Major and minor triads | Musictheory.educationThe minor triad D F A

 

Video

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Examples

Which triads are major and which are minor?

note example

piano example

2. Major triads

 

Video

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Examples

Which tones do you get if you make major triads on the natural notes?

note example

piano example

3. Minor triads

 

Video

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Examples

Which tones do you get if you make minor triads on the natural notes?

note example

piano example

4. Practise

Harmony exercise 3f: practise recognizing major and minor triads from musical notation.

Harmony exercise 3g: practise making major and minor triads on the natural notes.

Harmony exercise 3h: practise making major and minor triads on all notes.

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5. Ear training

 

Practise

Ear Training exercise 3n: distinguishing the difference between a major and minor triad by ear.

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Example question

Which triad do you hear?

Choise 1: major triad

Choise 2: minor triad

 

Practical steps

Sing the triad being played to train your inner hearing abilties. Decide which triad is being played.

Answer: major triad.