Sequencing - Triads

           

                                                   Triads

      What is a Triad?

Straightaway Traids = A 3 note chord.

It is a group, or set of three notes on a scale.

The first note is called the Root Note.

How to create them?

To begin, there are instructions and formulas to remember!

So, you need to write out a C Major Scale (or use your imagination...) to find the triads within it. It's a good scale to begin with as there are no initially confusing sharps or flats to consider.

For your C Major Scale, you will start at C (logically) and work your way up the scale until you run straight into another C note, repeating the cycle. As above ^^

The same goes for if you wanted to create a D Major Chord, you've got to get up the D Major Scale in order to do so.

So, from here you can clearly see the; C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and C, notes. For the method, you can number them just above. 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 

C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C

Not perfect looking but will have do to. 

Tones and Semitones

Tones - Whole Steps 

Semitones - Half Steps

On the piano, these notes are slowly going up!

From the 12 notes of the Western scale ( C, C#, D, D# etc etc) this formula gives us the ability to connect the scale as long as you start on the letter/note you want.
So a tone up from C is D and so on.
For example: Imagine each key is a Semitone, and together they make a tone (two halves make a whole). So,  Semitone from C to C# (the small black key between C and D), and then another Semitone from C# to D, indicating that together this is going up a full Tone.

The reason for the labelled semi tones between E and F and B and C is because there is no black key in between, making it just one half ~ one Semitone.

The Formula's 

Major Formula : 1, 3, 5

The first note is always called the Root Note.

Going back to the numbered notes, you can see that note 1 is C, note 3 is E and note 5 is G.

C, E, G =  C Major Chord

It slightly changes around for other formula's, such as for the Minor and Diminished chords, but it always starts from the Major Scale, everything you do is an alteration of the Major Scale! These are instructions are always based on the Major Scale.

Use this picture in order to put this in perspective. ~

Here you can clearly see the C Major Scale, how the Tones and Semitones link, the numbered letters, and the formula's for Major, Minor and Diminished, regarding how to find and create your Major, Minor and Diminished chords.

Something to keep in mind: 

All triads are chords, but not all chords are triads. A triad is a chord with only three notes, and is built on thirds. To make a triad, we take a note, add the note a third higher, and then add another note a third higher again. A chord contains at least two notes; it can have 3, 4, 5 or even more!   - Triads & Chords

Diatonic Scale - A seven note musical scale of five Tones and two Semitones.


Helpful Links!

Major Scales Using Tones & Semitones - A Full Walkthrough

What Is A Triad Chord? Lesson ~

The Chord Formula For The Major Chord - 1, 3, 5 - What Do These Numbers Represent?