So, a major triad has a root, then the next note is 4 semitones up, then the next note is 3 semitones up.This results in the root and 3rd being three semitones apart, and the 3rd and 5th being four semitones apart. Take a major triad and just lower the 3rd (middle note) by a semitone, as before.

Add another note three semitones above the 3rd.

Root position just means that the root is in the bass, i.e.

Add a note four semitones above the root (a semitone is the smallest distance from one key to the next). This gives you the 3rd of the chord - or the middle note if it is in root position.

Pick a note - this will be the root of the chord.

The interval of a minor 3rd is three half steps.If you don’t know the relevant scales or key signatures, you can still work out any major or minor triad, but using a different method, which is as follows. To find the 3rd of a minor triad, you stack a minor 3rd interval on top of the root. The interval of a major 3rd is four half steps, which on the guitar is equivalent four frets on the same string. To find the 3rd of a major triad, you can stack a major 3rd interval on top of the root. You might also be interested in the 3 hour video course on mastering Open D tuning. If you’re interested in learning some beautiful triad shapes that will really enhance your playing, make sure to check out the video on chord shapes next. The root of the E minor triad is the note E. The root of a triad is the same note as the name of the chord: so the root of the D major triad is the note D. The root note is often referred to as the “1” of the triad.

Triads have a root note, a 3rd, and a 5th. Just like scales have formulas, so do triads. This can be remembered easily because the prefix “tri-” means three. So, what’s a triad, and how do we form them?Ī triad is an arrangement of three notes that together form a chord. Once you have a good handle on triads, you’ll be able to find and form chords all over the neck. It’s essential for learning how to truly improvise. Learning the triads of the major scale has been the single most important thing I’ve done to gain intimate knowledge of the fretboard and also come to understand music theory.

D flat major scale triads