(TRD) Triads Module Overview

Triads

Major Triad, Minor Triad, Diminished Triad, Augmented Triad

A triad is a chord constructed with 3 notes. By superimposing major and minor 3rds on top of each other, four types of triads are created:

  • Major
  • Minor
  • Augmented
  • Diminished

In this module we will learn how to construct the four types of triads as well as identify them aurally. We will also learn the concept of figured bass notation and begin to develop skills in harmonic dictation.

Essential Questions

  • How do you construct a major triad?
  • How do you construct a minor triad?
  • How do you construct an augmented triad?
  • How do you construct a diminished triad?
  • How do you use correct chord symbols in figured bass notation?

Key Terms

  1. Augmented Triad - is a 3-note chord made up of a major 3rd plus a major 3rd.
  2. Diminished Triad - is a 3-note chord made up of a minor 3rd plus a minor 3rd.
  3. Harmonic Dictation - is the skill of writing the soprano line, bass line and Roman numeral analysis of a 4-part chord progression that is played a certain amount of times.
  4. Major Triad - is a 3-note chord made up of a major 3rd plus a minor 3rd.
  5. Minor Triad - is a 3-note chord made up of a minor 3rd plus a major 3rd.
  6. Roman numeral analysis - is a kind of musical notation in which Roman numerals are used to indicate the quality of triads.

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION