The 4 types of triads + inversions on the guitar

What are triads? Triads in music are three note chords, generally the most basic form of a chord. All triads contain a Root note, a third and a fifth. The relation from the root note to the third and the fifth will determine the quality and function of the chord. There are 4 triads that are available, the Major triad, minor triad, the diminished and the augmented.

Today we will look at how to make these triads, how inversions of them work and how learning them on your instrument can help with many aspects of your playing.

4 types of triads

Different types of chords give different feelings and have different functions in a chord progression. Knowing how to make each of the triad qualities and having an idea of when they are used is important to start putting chords together and seeing how they feel.

1. Major triad

A major triad uses a root note, a major 3rd and a perfect 5th. To make this, take your root note, skip the next three notes to the major third then skip the next 2 notes to the perfect 5th. Use this formula from any root note and you have the major chord.

Info: A perfect fifth consists of 7 half steps. There are also diminished (6 semitones) or augmented fifths (8 semitones)

Example: C major triad

C = root = 1 (first note on the scale) E = major third = 3 (third note on the scale) G = perfect fifth = 5 (fifth note on the scale)

2. Minor triad

The minor triad uses a Root, up to a minor 3rd then again to the perfect 5th. To make any minor chord take the root skip the next two notes to the minor 3rd then skip the next 3 to the perfect

Example: A minor triad

A = root = 1 (first note on the scale) C = minor third = 3 (third note on the scale) E = perfect fifth = 5 (fifth note on the scale)

3. Diminished triad

Diminished contains a root note minor 3rd and a flat 5th. Start at the root skip 2 notes to the minor 3rd then skip 2 notes again to the flat 5th.

Example: B- diminished triad

B = root D = minor third (3 half steps) F = diminished fifth (6 semitones)

Remember: in English the German H is called “b” and the German B is “b flat”.

4. Augmented Triad

Augmented triad contains a root major 3rd and raised or sharp 5th. Take the root note skip 3 notes to the major third then skip 3 notes again to the sharp 5th

Example: C- augmented triad

C = root D = major third (4 semitones) G# = augmented fifth (8 semitones)

Inversion of triads on the guitar

The Major and minor triads are the most common and best to learn all over your instrument for learning songs and how chords are put together. The diminished and augmented are used less often but it is good to know about them in case they crop up at some point. But for now, we will mainly refer to the major and minor triads and inversions of them.

What is an inversion? An inversion of a chord uses the same notes of a triad but played in a different order. The root of the chord no longer ends up in the first position. This gives the triad different sounds and is used very often in music.

Two types of inversions

Root (1, 3, 5) 1. Inversion (3, 5, 1) 2. Inversion (5, 1, 3)

Example: C major triad

C = root = 1 E = major third = 3 G = perfect fifth = 5

1. Inversion E = 3 G = 5 C = 1

2. Inversion G = 5 C = 1 E = 2

Here are some examples of triads and their inversions on a guitar fretboard. We will use A minor as an example, but know that the shapes for each chord function (major, minor etc.) will always stay the same, they will just be in a different position. This example on the image below is on the 3 highest strings but more triad shapes can be found just using other strings such as 3rd 4th and 5th strings, 2nd 3rd and 4th strings and so on.

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How learning triads will improve your playing

We’ll use guitar as an example because that’s where triads are most commonly talked about, but these concepts apply to all instruments. On guitar they can be thought on as broken down parts of the full chord shapes.

Learning the shapes and how to play triads on the guitar will help you visualise the fretboard when you want to change up your playing and try new things. Playing a C major triad down the lower register of the fretboard and playing a C major up in the higher register of the fretboard will have different sounds. Though they are the same notes being used, triads down the lower and even using open strings can sound good as long ringing out chords, then triads up in the higher end may be better for funkier sharper hits of the chords. If you are playing with others or in a band and there is a keyboard or another guitarist that is matching the chords you’re playing and they are roughly the same pitch it may sound muddy or like you are trying to play over each other. With your knowledge of triads, you have the freedom to move up or down the neck to separate your sounds and make the overall sound feel more cohesive.

Connect with other guitarists

As soon as you figure out how triads work on the guitar, take a look at our musician search for cool musicians in your area. Here you will find many guitarists or bands who would like to connect with you. We look forward to you! The whole thing is of course free of charge and uncomplicated.