Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

Defining and Drawing Triads

In the first 10 modules we discussed two basic musical elements: melody(pitch and intervals) and rhythm
(simple and compound meter). In this module we will discuss a third musical component, harmony,which is
the defining element in Western music. Let’s listen to “Love Me Tender” while reading the music given on the
next page.

285 Defining and Drawing Triads

288 Qualities of Diatonic Triads

288 Major Triad

289 Constructing Major Triads

290 Harmonizing Music Using Major Triads

292 Minor Triad

293 Constructing Minor Triads

297 Diminished Triad

297 Constructing Diminished Triads

299 Augmented Triad

300 Constructing Augmented Triads

301 Augmented and Diminished Triads Using

Double Sharps and Double Flats

303 Workbook

MODULE 11 TRIADS

285

Vocabulary note

HARMONY

From the Greek word “harmonia”or “agreement.” Harmony is the relationship between consecutive groupings of simultaneous

(vertical) sounding pitches. In Western music beginning around 1600, the vertical sounding of notes a third apart (called “tertian”

harmony) became the foundation of chords.

CHORD

Three or more notes that sound simultaneously. (When only two notes sound, they form an “interval.”)

• Blocked chord: Three or more different pitches sounding simultaneously (harmonically); notes may be drawn in one or more
  clefs.


• Broken chord: Notes of a chord played successively (melodically).


• Implied chord: An incomplete chord where the third or the fifth of the chord is missing; the chord may be blocked or broken.

TRIAD

In its simplest form, a triad has three notes, each a third apart.