Chords | Triads

tristanwaley
Apr 15, 2024
2 min read

A triad is a chord of 3 notes, including the root note and built by a stack of two specific 3rd intervals (either a major 3rd interval or minor 3rd interval).

There are 4 kinds of triads. The major and minor triads are the most commonly compared to the least common two being the augmented and diminished triads;

Major & Minor Triads in Root Position : A Visual Guide on the Keyboard

Triad Inversions

The note order of a triad can be reshuffled so they are in configuration on the keyboard. This reorganization of the notes is what is known as inverting a chord. Being able to quickly reconfigure a chord into its different inversions is a valuable skill to acquire. To develop an ease with seamless improvisation and accompaniment the first step is to become confident with triad shapes under the hand in all inversions.

Practice inverting chords up and down the keyboard to a relaxed metronome tempo. Identify the shapes of each chord in each of the inversion to enable better and expedited recall. Note in root position the stack of intervals is two stacked thirds, 1st inversion has a stack of a 3rd and a 4th, and the 2nd inversion has a stack of a 4th and a 3rd.