Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

Theory Trainer

Exercise 11aIdentify triad quality by ear: major and minor triads.

Constructing Minor Triads

There are three methods for constructing a minor triad. Your instructor will tell you which method(s) to use.

Method 1: Use the intervals of a minor triad

• Aminor triad consists of a minor third (m3) and a perfect fifth (P5) above the root. A major third (M3) occurs
  between the upper two notes.

Method 2: Change a major triad to minor

• To construct a minor triad, lower the third (the middle) note of a major triad a half step, keeping the original
  letter names. For example:

293

TRIADS

m3 M3 P5 C minor triad

Minor third (m3) Major third (M3)

G

Eb

C

Eb

A E A C E

C#

A major A minor