Music Theory

Unit #14

Major Triads
When different notes are played at the same time they create harmony.

Harmony which consists of at least 3 different notes is called a chord.

A 3 note chord is called a triad.

 

A Major Triad uses the 1rst, 3rd and 5th notes of a Major Scale.

The triad is named after the root note (bottom note) of the chord and scale.

 

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Animated Demo

of Creating a Major Triad

(requires Flash plug-in)

Major Triads Exercise

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The Magic Key Signature Charts(requires "Shockwave" plug-in)

In answering these questions don't forget to consider the key signatures.!

 

14:1 Major Triads Drill

Try It You'll Like It!

(requires Flash Plug-In)

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Other Major Triads In a Major Scale

If we build a triad (every other note) starting on the 4th note of a Major Scale we also get a Major Triad.

The same thing happens if we build a triad starting on the 5th note of a Major Scale.

This means that triads built starting on the 1rst, 4th or 5th notes of a Major Scale will all be Major Triads.

Eg. The Key of C would have 3 Major Triads; C, F, G

We use regular numbers (1,2,3, etc.) to indicate the note of a scale and Roman Numerals (I,II,III,IV, etc.) to indicate the chords which are built on a scale.

Ie. In the Key of C Major;

1= C, I = C Major Triad; 4= F, IV = F Major Triad; 5 = G, V= GMajor Triad

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I-IV and V Exercises

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The Magic Key Signature Charts(requires "Shockwave" plug-in)

1. Name the I, IV and V triads in the key of D Major.

The answer is.

2. Name the I, IV and V triads in the key of F Major.

The answer is.

3. Name the I, IV and V triads in the key of Eb Major.

The answer is.

4. Name the I, IV and V triads in the key of Bb Major.

The answer is.

14:2 I -IV-V-I Progession Drill

Try It You'll Like It!

(requires Flash Plug-In)

 

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The I-IV-V-I Chord Progression

The order in which chords appear is called a Chord Progression.

Since most "western" melodies are based on Major Scales it follows that most of the Harmonies are based on Major Triads.

A common chord progression uses the 3 Major Triads found in any Major Scale.

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I-IV-V-I Exercises

Need Help?

The Magic Key Signature Charts(requires "Shockwave" plug-in)

1. Name the chords in the I-IV-V-I chord progression in the key of D. The answer is!

2. Name the chords in the I-IV-V-I chord progression in the key of Eb.The answer is!

3. Name the chords in the I-IV-V-I chord progression in the key of Ab. The answer is!

4. Name the chords in the I-IV-V-I chord progression in the key of B. The answer is!

 

 

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Unit #14 Review

1. Harmony occurs when different notes are played at time.

The answer is!!

2. Harmony made up of at least 3 different notes is called a .

The answer is!!

3. A 3 note is called a .

The answer is!!

4. A Major Triad is made up of the , and notes of a Major Scale.

The answer is!!

5. Major Triads can also be built from the , and notes of a Major Scale.

The answer is!!

6. Moving from one chord to another is called a .

The answer is!!
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