NCVPS AP Music Theory How to write a triad? Identification Identification of the aspects of each type of seventh chord are important when beginning to write a seventh chord. There are five types of 7 th chords (Major 7 th chord, Major-minor 7 th chord, minor 7 th chord, half-diminished 7 th chord and diminished 7 th chord). Four Qualities of Triads Identifying the quality of the triad is essential to identifying 7 th chords. Lets review the qualities of triads (Augmented, Major, minor, and diminished). Note: Augmented Triads are not used in 7 th chord identification or creation. Augmented Major minor diminished Major Triad A Major Triad has three parts. The Root, the 3 rd and the 5 th. To identify the quality of the triad, you must identify the interval between the Root and the 3 rd, and the 3 rd and the 5 th. A Major Triad has a Major 3 rd between the Root and the 3 rd and a minor 3 rd between the 3 rd and the 5 th. In this triad, the Bb is the Root, the D is the 3 rd, and the F is the 5 th. Major Triad The interval between the Root and 3 rd (Bb to D) is a Major 3 rd and the interval between the 3 rd and 5 th (D to F) is a minor 3 rd. This interval structure makes the quality of this triad, Major. Minor Triad A minor triad has three parts. The Root, the 3 rd and the 5 th. To identify the quality of the triad, you must identify the interval between the Root and the 3 rd, and the 3 rd and the 5 th. A minor triad has a minor 3 rd between the Root and the 3 rd and a Major 3 rd between the 3 rd and the 5 th. In this triad, the C is the Root, the Eb is the 3 rd, and the G is the 5 th. Writing a Minor Triad The interval between the Root and 3 rd (C to Eb) is a minor 3 rd and the interval between the 3 rd and 5 th (Eb to G) is a Major 3 rd. This interval structure makes the quality of this triad, minor. Writing a Diminished Triad The interval between the Root and 3 rd (G to Bb) is a minor 3 rd and the interval between the 3 rd and 5 th (Bb to Db) is a minor 3 rd. This interval structure makes the quality of this triad, diminished. Writing a Diminished Triad A diminished triad requires a minor 3 rd on the bottom and a minor 3 rd on top. Lets solve this problem together: Write a diminished triad based on the following note C as the Root. Writing a diminished Triad Write a diminished triad based on the following note C as the Root. First, what note is a minor 3 rd above C? Eb is a minor 3 rd above C, so the Eb becomes the 3 rd. Given Root Root with 3rd Writing a diminished Triad Write a diminished triad based on the following note C as the Root. First, what note is a minor 3 rd above C? Eb is a minor 3 rd above C, so the Eb becomes the 3 rd. Second, what note is a minor 3 rd above Eb? Gb is a minor 3 rd above Eb, so the Gb becomes the 5 th. Given Root Root with 3 rd Root with 3 rd and 5th Writing a Major 7 th Chord A Major 7 th Chord requires a Major Triad on the bottom and a Major 7 th on top. Lets solve this problem together: Write a Major 7 th Chord based on the following note C as the Root. Writing a Major 7 th Chord Write a Major 7 th Chord based on the following note C as the Root. First, write a Major triad with C as the Root. A Major 3 rd above C is E and a minor 3 rd above E is G. Given Root Root with Triad Writing a Major 7 th Chord Write a Major 7 th chord based on the following note C as the Root. First, write a Major triad with C as the Root. A Major 3 rd above C is E and a minor 3 rd above E is G. Second, what note is a Major 7 th above C? Write B as the Major 7 th above C. Given Root Root with Triad Root with Triad and 7th Writing a Major-minor 7 th Chord A Major-minor 7 th Chord requires a Major Triad on the bottom and a minor 7 th on top. The Major-minor 7 th chord is traditionally known as a Dominant 7 th Chord. Lets solve this problem together: Write a Major 7 th Chord based on the following note F as the Root. Writing a Major-minor 7 th Chord Write a Major-minor 7 th Chord based on the following note F as the Root. First, write a Major triad with F as the Root. The Major 3 rd above F is A and a minor 3 rd above A is C. Given Root Root with Triad Writing a Major-minor 7 th Chord Write a Major-minor based on the following note F as the Root. First, write a Major triad with F as the Root. The Major 3 rd above F is A and a minor 3 rd above A is C. Second, what note is a minor 7 th above F? Write Eb as the minor 7 th above F. Given Root Root with Triad Root with Triad and 7th Writing a minor 7 th Chord A minor 7 th Chord requires a minor triad on the bottom and a minor 7 th on top. Lets solve this problem together: Write a minor 7 th Chord based on the following note G as the Root. Writing a minor 7 th Chord Write a minor 7 th Chord based on the following note G as the Root. First, write a minor triad with G as the Root. The minor 3 rd above G is Bb and a Major 3 rd above Bb is D. Given Root Root with Triad Writing a minor 7 th Chord Write a minor 7 th chord based on the following note G as the Root. First, write a minor triad with G as the Root. The minor 3 rd above G is Bb and a Major 3 rd above Bb is D. Second, what note is a minor 7 th above G? Write F as the minor 7 th above G. Given Root Root with Triad Root with Triad and 7th Writing a half-diminished 7 th Chord A half-diminished 7 th Chord requires a diminished triad on the bottom and a minor 7 th on top. Lets solve this problem together: Write a half-diminished 7 th Chord based on the following note D as the Root. Writing a half-diminished 7 th Chord Write a half-diminished 7 th Chord based on the following note D as the Root. First, write a diminished triad with D as the Root. The minor 3 rd above D is F and a minor 3 rd above F is Ab. Given Root Root with Triad Writing a half-diminished 7 th Chord Write a half-diminished 7 th chord based on the following note D as the Root. First, write a diminished triad with D as the Root. The minor 3 rd above D is F and a minor 3 rd above F is Ab. Second, what note is a minor 7 th above D? Write C as the minor 7 th above D. Given Root Root with Triad Root with Triad and 7th Writing a diminished 7 th Chord A diminished 7 th Chord requires a diminished triad on the bottom and a diminished 7 th on top. Lets solve this problem together: Write a diminished 7 th Chord based on the following note G as the Root. Writing a diminished 7 th Chord Write a diminished 7 th Chord based on the following note G as the Root. First, rite a diminished 7 th Chord based on the following note G as the Root. Given Root Root with Triad Writing a diminished 7 th Chord Write a diminished 7 th chord based on the following note G as the Root. First, rite a diminished 7 th Chord based on the following note G as the Root. Second, what note is a diminished 7 th above G? Write Fb as the diminished 7 th above G. Given Root Root with Triad Root with Triad and 7th