Chapter 4

Chords – Part 1

Harmony

• Harmony is the musical result of tones sounding together.

• Melody – Horizontal (linear)• Harmony – Vertical

Chord

• A harmonic unit with at least three different tones sounding simultaneously.

Triad

• A three-tone chord. • We usually use the term TERTIAN (chords

containing a superposition of harmonic thirds)• Superimpose – place on above something

else.

Triad Root

• The term ROOT refers to the note on which the triad is built.

• C major triad refers to a major triad whose ROOT is C.

• The root is the pitch from which a triad is generated.

• 4 in common use identified by the quality names; major, minor, augmented and diminished.

Major Triad

• A MAJOR TRIAD consists of a major third and a perfect 5th.

Minor Triad

• Consists of a minor third and a perfect fifth.

Diminished Triad

• Consists of a minor third and a diminished fifth.

Augmented Triad

• Consists of a major third and an augmented fifth.

Triad Construction

• Each triad includes a ROOT, THIRD and a FIFTH.

Triad Stability

• Major Triad – Strongest and most stable• Minor Triad – Strong and quite stable• Diminished Triad – Weak and unstable• Augmented Triad – Weak and unstable

Triad Names

• You can construct a triad on any of the scale degrees.

• The triad has the same function name as the individual pitch.

• Both the pitch C and the C major triad are the tonic.

Triad Names

Primary Triads

• Triads built on the tonic, subdominant and the dominant are often referred to as the PRIMARY TRIADS because of their strong relationships to each other.

Homework

• Homework and classwork: Due Friday, October 11 – Workbook 4 ABCD

Online Tests: 30 minutes.• http://www.musictheory.net/exercises/

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