Triad

Definition

A triad is a three-note chord formed by stacking two thirds on top of a root note, creating a harmonic structure. Triads are fundamental in tonal music, providing the building blocks for more complex harmonies and progressions. They can be categorized into major, minor, diminished, and augmented types, each producing a distinct sound and emotional character.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Triads are classified into four main types: major (happy sound), minor (sad sound), diminished (tense sound), and augmented (unstable sound).
2. The notes of a triad can be rearranged into different orders, known as inversions, affecting the bass note and overall sound.
3. In figured bass notation, triads are represented with numbers that indicate the intervals above the bass note, guiding performers in realizing harmonies.
4. Triads can function in various ways within a musical context, serving as tonic (home), dominant (leading to resolution), or subdominant (preparing for tonic) chords.
5. Triads play a crucial role in establishing tonality, as their arrangements help define the key signature and create tension and resolution within musical phrases.

Review Questions

• How does the arrangement of notes in a triad affect its sound and function within a piece of music?
  • The arrangement of notes in a triad determines its type—major, minor, diminished, or augmented—and greatly influences its sound. For example, a major triad produces a bright and uplifting quality, while a minor triad evokes a more somber emotion. Additionally, how these notes are arranged in different inversions can alter the chord's function within a progression, providing varied emotional effects and leading to different resolutions.
• What is the significance of inversions in triads, and how do they impact harmonic progression?
  • Inversions of triads play an important role in harmonic progression by changing the bass note and altering the listener's perception of the chord. By using inversions, composers can create smoother transitions between chords and maintain melodic lines in the bass. This variation adds interest to music while enhancing its emotional depth and complexity as it moves through different harmonic landscapes.
• Evaluate the role of triads in establishing tonality and how they interact with other harmonic elements in a composition.
  • Triads are essential for establishing tonality within a piece of music as they define the key signature through their specific arrangements. They interact with other harmonic elements by creating tension and resolution through functional harmony; for example, dominant triads lead back to tonic triads for resolution. This interplay not only shapes the overall structure of compositions but also influences emotional responses from listeners by guiding them through musical narratives.

Related terms

Chord: A combination of three or more notes played simultaneously, forming the harmonic foundation of music.

Root:

The lowest note in a triad or chord, which serves as the tonal center from which the other notes are derived.

Harmonic Function: The role that a chord plays within a key, including its tendency to resolve to other chords and its emotional implications.