• A chord is a combination of three or more notes.
• Chords are built off of a single note, called the root.
• In this lesson, we will discuss triads. They are created with a root, third, and fifth.
• A major triad (or major chord) is built with a major third and a perfect fifth from the root.
• Let's write a C major triad. First, write the root (C) on the staff.
• Next, write the generic third and generic fifth from the root.
• We now need to determine the specific intervals on the keyboard.
• Since we need a major third, let's count up four half steps from the root.
• For the perfect fifth, go back to the root and count up seven half steps.
• Since the chord contains no black keys, we do not need to write any accidentals on the staff.
• A C major triad is C---E---G.
• Next, let's try an Eb major triad.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Now, switch to the keyboard. Start at the Eb and count up four half steps for the major third.
• Go back to the root and count up seven half steps for the perfect fifth.
• Finally, write any needed accidentals. In addition to the already-written Eb, we need a flat next to the B.
• An Eb major triad is Eb---G---Bb.
• Next, let's try a B major triad.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Count the major third (4 half steps) and perfect fifth (7 half steps).
• Finally, write the needed accidentals on the staff. We need two sharps: one for the D and one for the F.
• A B major triad is B---D#---F#.
• Next, we will discuss the minor triad. It is created with a minor third and a perfect fifth from the root.
• Let's build a C minor triad.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Now, switch to the keyboard. Start at the C and count up three half steps for the minor third.
• Go back to the root and count up seven half steps for the perfect fifth.
• Finally, write any needed accidentals.
• A C minor triad is C---Eb---G.
• Let's build an Eb minor triad.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Next, count the minor third (3 half steps) and perfect fifth (half steps).
• Finally, write any needed accidentals.
• An Eb minor triad is Eb---Gb---Bb.
• Let's build a B minor triad.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Next, count the minor third (3 half steps) and perfect fifth (7 half steps).
• Finally, write any needed accidentals.
• A B minor triad is B---D---F#.
• The augmented triad is built with a major third and an augmented fifth.
• Let's build a C augmented triad.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Now, switch to the keyboard. Start at the C and count up four half steps for the major third.
• Go back to the root and count up eight half steps for the augmented fifth.
• Finally, write any needed accidentals.
• A C augmented triad is C---E---G#.
• Let's build an Eb augmented triad.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Next, count the major third (4 half steps) and augmented fifth (8 half steps).
• Finally, write any needed accidentals. In this example, no additional accidentals are needed.
• An Eb augmented triad is Eb---G---B.
• Let's build an B augmented triad.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Next, count the major third (4 half steps) and augmented fifth (8 half steps).
• Finally, write any needed accidentals.
• A B augmented triad is B---D#---Fx.
• The last triad that we will discuss is the diminished triad. It is built with a minor third and a diminished fifth.
• Let's build a C diminished triad.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Now, switch to the keyboard. Start at the C and count up three half steps for the minor third.
• Go back to the root and count up six half steps for the diminished fifth.
• Finally, write any needed accidentals.
• A C diminished triad is C---Eb---Gb.
• Let's build an Eb diminished triad.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Next, count the minor third (3 half steps) and diminished fifth (6 half steps).
• Finally, write any needed accidentals.
• An Eb diminished triad is Eb---Gb---Bbb.
• Next, let's build a B diminished triad. Write down the root and generic intervals.
• Write the generic third and fifth on the staff.
• Next, count the minor third (3 half steps) and diminished fifth (6 half steps).
• Finally, write any needed accidentals. No accidentals are needed.
• A B diminished triad is B---D---F.
• Use this chart to reference the four types of triads.