Triads

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The Basics:

Triads, commonly referred to as chords, are a "stack" of 3 notes played together built on a base note. The intervals (spaces between 2 notes) between the bottom note and the middle; and the middle and the top note always constitute a 3rd. The interval between the bottom and the top note is always a 5th.

In order to progress further, it is very important to know the following names and meanings:

Tonic	1st note of a scale (e.g. in C major, C)	"do" in so-fa scale
Supertonic	2nd note of a scale (e.g. in C major, D)	"re" in so-fa scale
Mediant	3rd note of a scale (e.g. in C major, E)	"me" in so-fa scale
Subdominant	4th note of a scale (e.g. in C major, F)	"fa" in so-fa scale
Dominant	5th note of a scale (e.g. in C major, G)	"so" in so-fa scale
Submediant	6th note of a scale (e.g. in C major, A)	"la" in so-fa scale
Leading note /tone	7th note of a scale (e.g. in C major, B)	"te" in so-fa scale

The name of each triad is based on the base note, or root. For example, in C major (abbreviated as C+):

the Tonic triad is C, E, G
the Supertonic triad is D, F, A
the Mediant triad is E, G, B
the Subdominant triad is F, A, C
the Dominant triad is G, B, D
the Submediant triad is A, C, E
the Leading note triad is B, D, F

Observe the following example in C+:

Figure showing different triads in C major.

The Function of the Triads:

When writing music, some triads must be followed by other triads. This order is determined by the function of each triad. Note the following table:

Triad Name	Function(s)
Tonic	The feeling of home, rest.
Supertonic	Dominant preparation - must go to Dominant.
Mediant	Mediator between Tonic and Dominant, can sometimes substitute both chords (triads).
Subdominant	The feeling of despair, humiliation.
Dominant	The feeling of excitement.
Submediant	It can be substituted as the Tonic triad.
Leading Note	The feeling of desire.

For more detailed information on chord (triad) selection and sequence of application, please visit the section on Harmonic Progression.

Click here to proceed with the next section on Seventh Chords.

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