Chords
Triad
A triad is a three-note chord built by stacking thirds: a root, a third and a fifth, such as C, E and G for a C major chord.
What is a triad in music?
A triad is the simplest kind of chord: three different notes stacked in thirds. Start on the root (1), add the third (3), then the fifth (5). C major is therefore C E G.
Most chords you already strum are triads, even when all six strings ring. The open C chord x32010 holds only three different notes (C E G C E): the extra strings simply double notes you already have.
What are the 4 types of triads?
The type depends on two intervals: the third (major or minor) and the fifth (perfect, diminished or augmented).
| Triad | Formula | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major | 1 3 5 | C | C E G |
| Minor | 1 ♭3 5 | Cm | C E♭ G |
| Diminished | 1 ♭3 ♭5 | Bdim | B D F |
| Augmented | 1 3 ♯5 | C+ | C E G♯ |
A major chord sounds stable and bright, a minor chord darker. A diminished chord is tense and wants to resolve, while an augmented chord sounds unresolved and dreamy. Built on each note of the C major scale, the triads are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and Bdim.
How do you play triads on the top three strings?
The G, B and high E strings are the best place to start. Here is C major in all three positions (strings 3, 2, 1):
- Root position (C E G): 5th fret, 5th fret, 3rd fret.
- First inversion (E G C): 9th fret, 8th fret, 8th fret.
- Second inversion (G C E): 12th fret, 13th fret, 12th fret.
Each inversion keeps the same notes but changes which one sits at the bottom. To turn root-position C into Cm, lower the E by one fret: 5th, 4th, 3rd fret. For Bdim, play 4th, 3rd, 1st fret.
Exercise: connect the triads of a progression
Take C, Am, F, G and play it on strings 3, 2, 1 without leaving frets 3 to 6:
- C: frets 5, 5, 3 (C E G)
- Am: frets 5, 5, 5 (C E A)
- F: frets 5, 6, 5 (C F A)
- G: frets 4, 3, 3 (B D G)
Notice how the C stays on the G string for three chords: that is voice leading in action, and it makes the changes sound smooth. The guitar triads tool shows these positions on the neck, one string set at a time, so you don't have to work them out by hand.
Common mistakes when learning triads
- Confusing a triad with a shape: a triad is a set of notes. C major has dozens of fingerings across the neck.
- Learning root position only: without inversions you jump around the neck for every chord change.
- Not naming the notes: say "root, third, fifth" out loud as you play each string, or the neck stays a collection of pictures.
Key takeaways
- A triad = root, third and fifth, stacked in thirds.
- Four types: major, minor, diminished, augmented.
- Each triad has three positions (root position, 1st and 2nd inversion) on every set of three adjacent strings.
- On strings 3, 2, 1, C major sits at frets 5-5-3, 9-8-8 and 12-13-12.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a triad and a chord?
A triad is a specific chord of three notes stacked in thirds. A chord can contain more: a seventh adds a fourth note (Cmaj7 = C E G B). Every triad is a chord, but not every chord is a triad.
How many triad shapes do I need to know on guitar?
Start with major and minor triads on strings 3, 2, 1 in their three positions: that is six shapes. Then add strings 4, 3, 2, followed by diminished and augmented triads. Around a dozen shapes will cover the whole neck.
Is a power chord a triad?
No. A power chord (C5 = C G) has only a root and a fifth, with no third. That makes it neither major nor minor, whereas a triad always has three distinct notes, including the third.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.