Triad Ear Training
Triads are the fundamental building blocks of all Western harmony. There are only four types of triads, and mastering their distinct emotional colors is essential for any musician.
The Four Triads
- Major: Bright, happy, resolved (Root, M3, P5).
- Minor: Dark, sad, resolved (Root, m3, P5).
- Diminished: Tense, scary, unstable (Root, m3, dim5).
- Augmented: Dreamy, floating, unresolved (Root, M3, aug5).
How to tell them apart
The easiest method is to divide them into categories of stability:
First, ask yourself: does it sound stable and complete? If yes, it's either Major or Minor. Then decide if it's happy (Major) or sad (Minor).
If it sounds unstable, tense, or unresolved, it's Diminished or Augmented. If it feels "squished" and dark, it's Diminished. If it feels "stretched" and bright, it's Augmented.
Why triads matter
Even the most complex 13th chords in jazz are just triads stacked on top of each other. If you can't instantly recognize a basic triad, you will struggle with advanced harmony. Get your foundation solid first.
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