How Are Basic Triad Chords Constructed?

Why is this topic important?

Understanding how basic triad chords are constructed is important to know as it helps musicians improve their improvisational skills.

When you improvise over a chord progression, targeting the chord tones (specific notes found within a specific chord) over each chord can lead to more of sense of direction in your playing. Knowing how a chord is constructed allows you to be able to identify and target specific chord tones in your progression.

What is a triad chord?

A triad is a chord with three notes.

There are 4 types of triads (all examples are in the key of C major):

Major Triad

A C major triad is constructed from the tonic, the major third and the perfect fifth of the C major scale.

C - E - G

1 - m3 - p5

Minor Triad

A C minor triad is constructed from the tonic, the minor third and the perfect fifth of the C major scale.

C - Eb - G

1 - m3 - p5

Diminished Triad

A C diminished triad is constructed from the tonic, the minor third and the diminished fifth of the C major scale.

C - Eb - Gb

1 - m3 - b5

Augmented Triad

A C Augmented triad is constructed from the tonic, the major third and the augmented fifth of the C major scale.

C - E - G#

1 - 3 -