How To Play Major Triads For Beginners

Major triads are a type of chord that are used in many different kinds of music. They sound bright and happy, and are made up of three notes: the root note, the third note, and the fifth note of a scale. In this blog, we'll go through the basics of major triads in five easy steps.

Step 1:

What are triads? Before we dive into major triads, let's quickly review what triads are. Triads are chords made up of three notes. These notes are played at the same time to create a sound that is different from playing each note separately. The three notes that make up a triad are the root note, the third note, and the fifth note of a scale.

Step 2:

Major scale Since we’re talking about major triads, you need to first understand the major scale. The major scale is a seven-note scale that has a specific pattern of whole steps and half steps between each note. That pattern is W-W-H-W-W-W-H. The major scale is the foundation of Western music and is used in many genres, from pop to classical to jazz.

Step 3:

Building major triads Now that you understand the major scale, let's look at how to build major triads. To build a major triad, you start with the root note of the chord, then add the note that is a major third above it, and finally add the note that is a perfect fifth above the root note. Another way to think about it is by using a numerical formula. Simply play the 1-3-5 of any major scale to create a major triad. For example, in the key of C, a C major triad would be made up of the notes C, E, and G.

Step 4:

Inversions Now that you can play major triads, you can take it a step further and play it in different inversions. An inversion is when you play the same notes of a triad but in a different order. There are three possible inversions of a major triad: root position (when the root note is the lowest note), first inversion (when the third note is the lowest note), and second inversion (when the fifth note is the lowest note).

Step 5:

Using major triads in your music Now that you understand major triads, you can start using them in your music. Major triads are commonly used in pop, rock, country, and many other genres of music. They're great for creating bright, happy, and uplifting sounds in your music. Experiment with different chord progressions and inversions to find the sound that you like.

Major triads are a great starting for beginners who want to learn about chords. They're easy to understand and sound great in many different kinds of music. Remember to practice playing major triads in different inversions and chord progressions to become fluent at it.