Triads

Triads are the most basic form of chords in Western music, consisting of three notes that are played or sung together. They are built on a root note (the fundamental note of the chord) and include a third and a fifth above that root. The specific intervals between these notes determine the type of triad. Here are the main types of triads:

1. Major Triad: A major triad is formed by a root note, a major third, and a perfect fifth. The interval between the root and the third is four semitones, and the interval between the root and the fifth is seven semitones. This combination of intervals gives the major triad a bright and happy sound.
2. Minor Triad: A minor triad consists of a root note, a minor third, and a perfect fifth. The interval between the root and the minor third is three semitones, and the interval between the root and the fifth is seven semitones. Minor triads have a darker and sadder sound compared to major triads.
3. Augmented Triad: An augmented triad is made up of a root note, a major third, and an augmented fifth. The interval between the root and the third is four semitones, and the interval between the root and the augmented fifth is eight semitones. This type of triad has a tense and unresolved sound because of the raised fifth.
4. Diminished Triad: A diminished triad consists of a root note, a minor third, and a diminished fifth. The interval between the root and the minor third is three semitones, and the interval between the root and the diminished fifth is six semitones. Diminished triads sound unstable and are often used to create a sense of tension in music.

These basic triads form the foundation of harmony in Western music, serving as the building blocks for more complex chords and harmonic progressions. By stacking additional thirds on top of triads, musicians can create seventh chords, ninth chords, and other extended chords that add richness and complexity to music. Triads and their inversions (variations where the notes are in a different order) are also crucial for creating different textures and voicings in chord progressions.

sus4 and sus2 Chords

The suspended fourth (sus4) chord is a type of triad, but it functions a bit differently from the major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads I described earlier.

A suspended fourth triad consists of a root note, a fourth, and a perfect fifth. Unlike major and minor triads, which include a third interval (either major or minor), the sus4 chord replaces the third with a perfect fourth. This creates a sound that feels “suspended” or unresolved because the fourth creates a tension that typically wants to resolve back to the third, either major or minor.

Here’s the makeup of a sus4 chord:

• Root note: The fundamental note upon which the chord is built.
• Perfect Fourth: Four whole steps (or five semitones) above the root.
• Perfect Fifth: Seven semitones above the root.

Similarly, there’s a suspended second (sus2) triad, which includes a root, a major second, and a perfect fifth. The sus2 chord has a different kind of openness compared to sus4, but it similarly lacks the third that would define it as major or minor.

Both sus2 and sus4 chords are used to add color and tension in music, often resolving to a major or minor chord for a satisfying release. They are indeed triads, just with a slightly different structure and function from the traditional major and minor triads.

Major ♭5 Chords

The major flat five (♭5) chord is a somewhat less common chord that consists of three notes: a root note, a major third, and a diminished fifth (or flat five). This chord is not one of the traditional triads (major, minor, augmented, diminished) or the more commonly recognized suspended chords (sus2, sus4), but it’s an example of an altered chord, which is a chord that has been modified by changing one of its standard intervals.

The interval structure of a major ♭5 chord is:

• Root note: The base note upon which the chord is built.
• Major Third: Four semitones above the root. This interval gives the chord its “major” quality.
• Diminished Fifth (Flat Five): Six semitones above the root. This is one semitone lower than the perfect fifth found in a major triad, giving the chord a dissonant quality.

This chord can create tension and a sense of dissonance or instability, often used for its unique color and tension in various musical contexts. It doesn’t fit neatly into the categories of traditional harmony because of its altered fifth, and it might be used for specific effects or to add interest and complexity to a chord progression.

The major ♭5 chord is an example of how altering just one interval in a chord can significantly change its sound and function within music, showcasing the diversity and flexibility of chord construction and usage in composition and songwriting.