Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

Exercise 1—Class Exercise

Listen to your instructor play each of the chords written below. Discuss whether or not the chords sound
consonant or dissonant.

In this module, the chord we will be discussing is the triad.In the Module 1 exercises, we practiced skipping
every other letter of the alphabet. A triad is formed when we combine three pitches, each a third apart (“skips”).

These three notes (A C E) form the “A” triad. Notice:

• On the staff, triads may be written in either staff and in any octave; the three notes of the triad will be written
  all on lines or all on spaces.


• The lowest note gives the triad its name. This note (the first) is also called the “root.” The middle note is
  the “third” and the top note is the “fifth.”


• Atriad may be written harmonically (all of the notes sound simultaneously) or melodically (notes are played
  in succession, as in a melody).

TRIADS

A B C D E F G A

A C E

1 2 3 4 5

root third fifth

(or first)

A is the root of the triad

fifth

third

root (first)

Triad playedharmonically

fifth

third

root

Triad playedmelodically

root third fifth

w w w

&

287