Okuzeka
Music vocabulary · Music Theory and Harmony

Triad

Meaning in music, with examples

/ˈtraɪæd/nounCommon term

In music, triad means: A three-note chord built from a root note plus the notes a third and a fifth above it. The four types are major, minor, diminished and augmented.

In Turkish: üç sesli akor, triad

How it is used

A basic building block in harmony lessons. Students 'build', 'spell' or 'invert' triads; a triad can be in root position or in first or second inversion. Guitarists and pianists practise triads all over the instrument.

Example sentences

  1. A C major triad contains the notes C, E and G.

  2. Write the triad in first inversion, with the third in the bass.

Common collocations

  • major triad
  • minor triad
  • diminished triad
  • triad inversion
  • root position triad
  • chordThree or more different notes played or sung at the same time. Chords give a piece its harmony and are named after their root note and type, such as C major or A minor.
  • arpeggioThe notes of a chord played one after another, going up or down, instead of all at the same time.
  • intervalThe distance in pitch between two notes, named by counting letter names and checking the number of semitones, such as a major third or a perfect fifth.
  • majorDescribing a scale, key, chord or interval built with a major third. Music in a major key is often described as bright or happy.
  • minorDescribing a scale, key, chord or interval built with a minor third. Music in a minor key is often described as dark, serious or sad.

More terms: Music Theory and Harmony

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: