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| A chord in ] is three or more notes played simultaneously. Chords are named according to the notes of the ] that they contain. | A chord in ] is three or more notes played simultaneously. Chords are named according to the notes of the ] that they contain. | ||
| === The Triad === | === The Triad === | ||
| The most commonly used chords, that form the basis of western diatonic harmony are composed of '''triads''': a root note, the third of a relevant scale, and the fifth. For example, an ] of the C ] consists of the notes: C D E F G A B C. | The most commonly used chords, that form the basis of western diatonic harmony are composed of '''triads''': a root note, the third of a relevant scale, and the fifth. For example, an ] of the C ] consists of the notes: C D E F G A B C. | ||
| http://meta.wikipedia.com/upload/c_maj.png ''Fig 1. The C major scale'' | http://meta.wikipedia.com/upload/c_maj.png ''Fig 1. The C major scale'' | ||
| The triad formed using the C note as the root would consist of C(root), E(third) and G(fifth), and these comprise a C major chord (the designation major denotes the fact that the E is four semitones ] higher than the root note. | The triad formed using the C note as the root would consist of C(root), E(third) and G(fifth), and these comprise a C major chord (the designation major denotes the fact that the E is four semitones ] higher than the root note. | ||
| http://meta.wikipedia.com/upload/c_triad.png ''Fig 2. C, E and G - The C major triad'' | http://meta.wikipedia.com/upload/c_triad.png ''Fig 2. C, E and G - The C major triad'' | ||
| Using the same scale (and thus, implicitly, the key of C major) a chord may be constructed using the D as the root note. This would be D(root), F(third), A(fifth), which comprise the chord of D ], since the third, F, is a ''minor'' third (three semitones) higher than the root. | Using the same scale (and thus, implicitly, the key of C major) a chord may be constructed using the D as the root note. This would be D(root), F(third), A(fifth), which comprise the chord of D ], since the third, F, is a ''minor'' third (three semitones) higher than the root. | ||
| === Types of triads === | === Types of triads === | ||
| As well as major and minor, there can also be ''augmented'' and ''diminished'' triads. Augmented triads are composed of a major 3rd but an augmented 5th (meaning the top note has been increased by one semitone.) Diminished triads have a major 3rd and a diminished 5th (the top note has meen lowered by a semitone.) These rules summarise the type of triads encountered so far: | As well as major and minor, there can also be ''augmented'' and ''diminished'' triads. Augmented triads are composed of a major 3rd but an augmented 5th (meaning the top note has been increased by one semitone.) Diminished triads have a major 3rd and a diminished 5th (the top note has meen lowered by a semitone.) These rules summarise the type of triads encountered so far: | ||
| *Major triad: root, major 3rd, perfect 5th | *Major triad: root, major 3rd, perfect 5th | ||
| *Minor triad: root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th | *Minor triad: root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th | ||
| *Augmented triad: root, major 3rd, augmented 5th | *Augmented triad: root, major 3rd, augmented 5th | ||
| *Diminished triad: root, major 3rd, diminished 5th | *Diminished triad: root, major 3rd, diminished 5th | ||
| Some chords constructed from the notes of the C major scale: | Some chords constructed from the notes of the C major scale: | ||
| : E G B -- E minor | : E G B -- E minor | ||
| : F A C -- F major | : F A C -- F major | ||
| : G B D -- G major | : G B D -- G major | ||
| : A C E -- A minor | : A C E -- A minor | ||
| : B D F -- B diminished | : B D F -- B diminished | ||
| === Naming === | === Naming === | ||
| ⚫ | Triads are sometimes named using roman numerals after their position in the scale of the key of the piece. For example in the key of C major any triad with C as its root is named I. A triad beginning on a E (the third note of the scale of C major) would be named III etc... Written in lowercase next to the roman numeral of the triad is its particular ] (a description of which notes have been moved up an octave.) A ''first inversion'' triad has an 'a' in its name (eg. the first inversion of chord V is Va.) A ''second inversion'' triad has a 'b', and a ''third inversion'' triad has a c. | ||
| ⚫ | Triads are sometimes named using roman numerals |
||
| Patterns with the type of chords found in major keys can be seen when using this naming scheme: | Patterns with the type of chords found in major keys can be seen when using this naming scheme: | ||
| *In a major key, the major triads are: I, IV, V | *In a major key, the major triads are: I, IV, V | ||
| *In a major key, the minor triads are: II, III, VI | *In a major key, the minor triads are: II, III, VI | ||
| *In a major key, the triad on VII is diminished | *In a major key, the triad on VII is diminished | ||
| == The dominant seventh == | == The dominant seventh == | ||
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Revision as of 15:43, 25 February 2002
A chord in musical theory is three or more notes played simultaneously. Chords are named according to the notes of the scale that they contain.
The Triad
The most commonly used chords, that form the basis of western diatonic harmony are composed of triads: a root note, the third of a relevant scale, and the fifth. For example, an octave of the C major scale consists of the notes: C D E F G A B C.
http://meta.wikipedia.com/upload/c_maj.png Fig 1. The C major scale
The triad formed using the C note as the root would consist of C(root), E(third) and G(fifth), and these comprise a C major chord (the designation major denotes the fact that the E is four semitones (a major third) higher than the root note.
http://meta.wikipedia.com/upload/c_triad.png Fig 2. C, E and G - The C major triad
Using the same scale (and thus, implicitly, the key of C major) a chord may be constructed using the D as the root note. This would be D(root), F(third), A(fifth), which comprise the chord of D minor, since the third, F, is a minor third (three semitones) higher than the root.
Types of triads
As well as major and minor, there can also be augmented and diminished triads. Augmented triads are composed of a major 3rd but an augmented 5th (meaning the top note has been increased by one semitone.) Diminished triads have a major 3rd and a diminished 5th (the top note has meen lowered by a semitone.) These rules summarise the type of triads encountered so far:
- Major triad: root, major 3rd, perfect 5th
- Minor triad: root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th
- Augmented triad: root, major 3rd, augmented 5th
- Diminished triad: root, major 3rd, diminished 5th
Some chords constructed from the notes of the C major scale:
- E G B -- E minor
- F A C -- F major
- G B D -- G major
- A C E -- A minor
- B D F -- B diminished
Naming
Triads are sometimes named using roman numerals after their position in the scale of the key of the piece. For example in the key of C major any triad with C as its root is named I. A triad beginning on a E (the third note of the scale of C major) would be named III etc... Written in lowercase next to the roman numeral of the triad is its particular inversion (a description of which notes have been moved up an octave.) A first inversion triad has an 'a' in its name (eg. the first inversion of chord V is Va.) A second inversion triad has a 'b', and a third inversion triad has a c.
Patterns with the type of chords found in major keys can be seen when using this naming scheme:
- In a major key, the major triads are: I, IV, V
- In a major key, the minor triads are: II, III, VI
- In a major key, the triad on VII is diminished