6.10 Ear training: root position and inversions of major and minor triads

This chapter is a follow-up of Chapter 5.10 Ear training: root position and inversions of triads. You will learn to distinguish root position and inversions of major and minor triads by ear.

Root position and inversions of major and minor triads

Ear Training exercise 6i: practise distinguishing the difference between the type and position of the major and minor triad by ear.

Ear Training exercise 6j: practise distinguishing the difference between the type and position of the major and minor triad by ear. The triads are only played harmonically.

Example question

Which position of the major or minor triad do you hear?

Choise 1: root position major

Choise 2: root position minor

Choise 3: first inversion major

Choise 4: first inversion minor

Choise 5: second inversion major

Choise 6: second inversion minor

Practical steps

Sing the triad being played to train your inner hearing abilties. Determine which of the three notes played is the root (in case of an inversion, pay special attention to the distance fifth - root, this is a fourth). The root is the highest tone, the third is the lowest tone and the fifth is the tone in the middle. Sing the triad in root position and decide whether the triad is major or minor.

Answer: first inversion minor.