Guitar Goodie: Understanding Triads

Published April 13, 2010 | By Brian Turner

There are only five types of triads. A triad has three notes. There must be at least three notes to create a chord. Three notes played simultaneously (in harmony) create a triad. They are the smallest chords.

The five types of triads are major, minor, diminished, augmented, and suspended 4.

The major triad has the intervals 1, 3, 5. The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is: C or C MAJ

The minor triad has the intervals 1, b3, 5 (b = flat). The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is: Cm or C –

The diminished triad has the intervals 1, b3, b5. The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is: Cdim or C 0

The augmented triad has the intervals 1, 3, #5 The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is: C aug or C +

The suspended 4 triad has the intervals 1, 4, 5. The nomenclature (symbol) in the key of c is: Csus or C sus4

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